The Jewish Future (April KOL)
Last month, I attended the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) Annual Convention. Rabbis from all over the Americas and Israel gathered to explore the new frontier facing the Jewish world of the 21st century. We engaged in deep conversations about the Jewish future and the future of Reform Judaism and congregational life. Speakers challenged us to mobilize for Immigration Reform, map our genetic community, revision technology for the Jewish future, explore the Jewish story, and think in new and creative ways about how to engage the 20 and 30-something Jews who seem to have fallen off the Jewish radar in most communities. The list of topics goes on and on. The energy, passion, and commitment was palpable. We are facing a paradigm shift with bold vision and unlimited possibility.
And you might ask, “Where is TBS in all of this? What did my rabbi bring to the table?” For three decades, I have spent 12+ hours a day here in the woods of Fairfax Station building our dream. Most of the time, I worried about how to make Judaism relevant in Virginia for a community of Jews and non-Jews who wanted to live and embrace a vibrant, values-driven, Jewish life. Little did I realize that our experiment here would become an internationally recognized model of Jewish lifelong learning, healthy governance, and a crucible for the future Jewish leadership of our movement. During the presidential address, I was singled out for our model of developing rabbis, as the model to emulate. Over and over again, TBS was recognized for best practices and I found myself sought after for advice on how we have evolved into a healthy, financially-sound community, despite economic downturns, real estate stagnation, and a national move to un-affiliate.
The fact is that despite the national despair, we grew this year, thanks to our amazing membership and leadership teams. Our students love our religious school and our young people flood our school, our youth programs, and are so visible at our overflowing services. From our unique Prayer Task Force to our support groups for Mothers and Children of Holocaust Survivors, to our Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Post-Bar and Bat Mitzvah program second to none, people are asking, “What are you doing that we can bring to our congregations?” I was surprised and amazed at how much we have accomplished. I am also proud to say that we spend most of our time asking, “How can we be better?”
The thing that I seem to bring to the table, more than most, is the idea that bringing in Jews to our communities on a least common denominator basis is NOT the model for the future. I keep pushing STANDARDS. I keep pushing living the HIGHEST JEWISH VALUES, not appealing to those who will use our community if it suits them and then move on when it does not. We need to rebuild a national Reform Judaism that isn’t afraid of OBLIGATION – financial support of our institutions as an obligation not an option for Jews, observance of holidays and traditions as an obligation of being part of a community, not just when convenience makes it enjoyable, and an obligation to belong and live Jewishly at every stage of our lives, not just when we need or want a life cycle event.
With you, I have tried to communicate the value of being a proudly observant community of modern Reform Jews and those who choose to live a Jewish life with Jews. We embrace all people, all marriages, all singles, and all those who want to share the sacred journey of Reform Jewish life. In turn, we have expectations and obligations. I am not afraid to say that. In return we see young people proud of their ability to lead and teach from our bimah and in our classrooms, we see teachers in our school who were once the students, and we are building three and four generation families who are attending Shabbat services weekly or monthly together.
There is so much still to do, but the future is filled with limitless possibilities. Over the next year, we will convene learning and listening opportunities to engage you in the national conversation for the Jewish future.
Vision along with me. The best is yet to be!
Faithfully yours,
Rabbi Amy R. Perlin, D.D.