Jewish Identity and Diversity: Balancing the Tensions

Publication Date: January 1997

Publisher: Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Author(s): Alan B. Siskind

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: Community Relations; Jewish Organizations; Jewish Identification

Type: Report

Abstract:

Do Jewish Family Service agencies undermine their Jewish identity when they serve the general community? This question gains urgency in today's highly competitive human service environment, which rewards providers that diversify their funding sources by diversifying their client populations. Although Jewish identity and nonsectarian service stand in a kind of tension, there is also a complementarity between them that allows us to cultivate a productive, rather than disabling, tension. In some ways, in fact, diversifying our funding sources and client populations allows us to enhance our Jewish mission.

In Journal of Jewish Communal Service, v.73 no.2/3, Winter/Spring 1996/1997.