First
session’s final Shabbat proved quite powerful.
We must engage the world as proud Jews carrying a message as our beckon. Through social action, justice, and community service, Tikun Olam in our vernacular, Jews engage our environment to make the world a better place.
Friday
evening, staff members presented their thoughts on social action/justice,
entertained with song, and helped lead services. On Saturday, we held the first service in a gathering space
with an entrance near the ropes course wall. The culmination of an entire camp
session’s work, countless staff members, artisans, and every camper helped
shape our new gathering space. Open air, sculptures, terrain slopped towards
the lake immersed in trees: truly a sight to behold.
At this
opportune point in Jewish history, we no longer need to isolate nor assimilate.
We need to engage the world as proud Jews.
If the
mission is clear, why are most Jews not fueling their Jewish identity? As the
outgoing Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks asks: Where are the missing Jews?
During our
last week of Judaic Studies classes, Tusk, Seneca, and Mohawk campers worked in
groups to explore the reasons why people are not engaged with their Judaism.
Maybe we should listen to why our children believe their friends choose not to
proudly express their Jewish identity; only then could we begin to make Rabbi
Sacks’ question irrelevant.
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No funds
(what to do about it…) scholarships, free
Parents don’t observe (what to do about it...) Get exposed somewhere else to Judaism
You don’t feel the need (what to do about it…) Give it a chance and get out there
(Ben, Lucas, Jacob, Alex)
Parents don’t observe (what to do about it...) Get exposed somewhere else to Judaism
You don’t feel the need (what to do about it…) Give it a chance and get out there
(Ben, Lucas, Jacob, Alex)
Tulane –
originally just older men in the synagogue
Fix: change around “the wheel” to attract more Jewish young people (more mainstream)
Fix: change around “the wheel” to attract more Jewish young people (more mainstream)
JCCs –
brings many Jews of all strictness together
Fix: create more because it has many activities for everyone
Fix: create more because it has many activities for everyone
Too much
involvement in extra curriculars – no time
Fix: do extra help in synagogue/soup kitchens/Hebrew schools w/ kids/ etc.
(unnamed)
Fix: do extra help in synagogue/soup kitchens/Hebrew schools w/ kids/ etc.
(unnamed)
Isolated
from a Jewish community
Discriminated against for being Jewish
Parents are not involved in Jewish organizations or committees
Parents don’t care about Jewish ideas, no effort
Parents don’t believe in Jewish values
Family cannot afford to belong to Tempe or JCC
Lack o strong Jewish leadership
No Jewish community in the area.
(Zach S., Leah S., Sally T., Shoshi G.)
Discriminated against for being Jewish
Parents are not involved in Jewish organizations or committees
Parents don’t care about Jewish ideas, no effort
Parents don’t believe in Jewish values
Family cannot afford to belong to Tempe or JCC
Lack o strong Jewish leadership
No Jewish community in the area.
(Zach S., Leah S., Sally T., Shoshi G.)
Marrying
someone who’s not Jewish
Conflict with other activities like sports or something
Too lazy to give up their free time
Celebrating Christmas and Hanukah
Not getting involved in the start with Jewish things
Not willing to up your time
Not wanting to spend the money
Not being in a Jewish community
Not having a nearby Temple
Being in a community that’s negative toward Jews
(Ilana)
Conflict with other activities like sports or something
Too lazy to give up their free time
Celebrating Christmas and Hanukah
Not getting involved in the start with Jewish things
Not willing to up your time
Not wanting to spend the money
Not being in a Jewish community
Not having a nearby Temple
Being in a community that’s negative toward Jews
(Ilana)
Don’t have
the money
Intermarriage
Not cool
Don’t believe
Time
Conformity
Stereotypes
Effort
Doing something with no reward
Believe in science not religion
To fit in with most of the population
(Lexi, Darian, Josh, Gill, Jennie, Kyle)
Intermarriage
Not cool
Don’t believe
Time
Conformity
Stereotypes
Effort
Doing something with no reward
Believe in science not religion
To fit in with most of the population
(Lexi, Darian, Josh, Gill, Jennie, Kyle)
Weren’t
raised that way
Kids don’t like it
They don’t see it affecting their daily life
They don’t believe in God
Embarrassed about religion
Confused by religion
(collection of unnamed observations)
Kids don’t like it
They don’t see it affecting their daily life
They don’t believe in God
Embarrassed about religion
Confused by religion
(collection of unnamed observations)
(what to do
about it…)
Make it athletic for guys and crafts for girls
A portion of the money you pay for synagogue goes towards a fund that helps pay for Jewish summer camp
Candy
Shorter
Entertaining things
(collection of unnamed observations)
Make it athletic for guys and crafts for girls
A portion of the money you pay for synagogue goes towards a fund that helps pay for Jewish summer camp
Candy
Shorter
Entertaining things
(collection of unnamed observations)
