Back to the Future: Jewish Awakening and Renewal

Publication Date: August 1996

Publisher: Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs

Author(s): Gerald B. Bubis

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Jewish Organizations; Jewish Identification; Assimilation; Jewish Continuity

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author asserts that assimilation is a fact of modernity and an open society; therefore, continuity strategies in this period of "volitional Judaism" should focus on achieving a better ratio of success to failure. He presents a set of strategies to enhance the desirability of being Jewish.

Strategies include: engaging the creativity of successful Jews in addressing the issues of Jewish institutions; expanding use of media technologies for Jewish education; integrating discrete Jewish experiences; setting standards of expectations for Jewish leaders; personalizing Jewish institutions; investing in a national research and evaluation bureau; and creating a network of opportunities for Jewish educational outreach.