Gary Rosenblatt writes: "Most important, then, is to recognize and value that while the younger generation may not want to duplicate their parents’ ways, it doesn’t mean their interest in bringing Jewish ideals into their lives is any less."
Put me down as skeptical about these types of things, and the Birthright Israel trips etc. Unless Jews have a vibrant relationship with Judaism, I don't think these conferences and gimmicks will count for much a generation or two down the line.
Another reason I am skeptical: What people say doesn't matter much. You have to analyze what people do. When Jews in their 20s give reasons in focus groups about why they are not more involved in Jewish life, it doesn't matter much because most people don't have clarity about their motivations.
Which group of Jews in their 20s is doing the most to perpetuate the Jewish people? The Haredim without doubt. Most importantly, they are getting married and having kids. They are the teachers in our day schools. They are sacrificing the pleasures of our secular society to lead fervently Jewish lives. We should be learning from them, not from Jewish secularists in their 20s. Secular Jewish life, though it produces some terrific art, is condemned to the toilet bowl of history. When the prophets spoke about leading a Jewish life, they probably didn't mean folk dancing, says rabbi Mordecai Finley (R).
