Jews are seeking greater connection to the community

The fallout from October 7 has been shocking and unsettling.

Here and on streets across North America, the removal of the inhibitions that formerly prevented the haters of Israel and of Jews from publicly celebrating their hatred has been swift. To varying degrees, we have all been unnerved by the behaviours we have seen and the calumnies we have heard aimed at Israel as well as at Jews. And again, to varying degrees, individually and collectively. we have experienced a sense of vulnerability and surreal “distancing” from the general community which has always been home and shelter.

However, instead of retreating from demonstrably outward connections to Jewish life, as some might believe to be an understandable consequence of the feelings of vulnerability, a study has been published that shows the opposite response unfolding among Jews.

According to a new Jewish Federations of North America survey of Jewish Americans and the general public, “the events [of October 7] have…fueled an explosion in Jewish belonging and communal participation that is nothing short of historic. Jews are feeling more invested in their identity and community and looking for ways to connect.”

Funded by and developed in partnership with The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation, the study shows how North American Jews of all ages are responding to the thuggish manifestations of anti-Semitism by actually reinvigorating or seeking for the first time, connectivity with Jewish community.

A brief summary of the study’s findings has been co-authored by Mimi Kravetz, Sarah Eisenman, David Manchester in an article entitled: ‘The Surge,’ ‘The Core’ and more: What you need to know about the explosion of interest in Jewish life, published this week on the eJewishPhilanthropy website.

We briefly reproduce three key findings from the summary article:

• Of the 83% of Jews who were “only somewhat,” “not very” or “not at all engaged” prior to Oct. 7, a whopping 40% are now showing up in larger numbers in Jewish life.

• 39% of Jewish parents indicated they may re-evaluate or reconsider educational or summer programs for their children [i.e., seeking more Jewish community and a respite from the anti-Israel rhetoric]; and 38% of parents with kids in a secular private school are considering making the move to Jewish day schools.  

• 43% percent of Jews expressed interest in increasing their engagement with Jewish life, and 23% have already taken the first step by attending a class, joining a Shabbat service or participating in an advocacy effort.

A pilot light of Jewish belonging glows at the very centre of a Jew’s existence. In some individuals, the light rages. In others, it is barely an ember. But the results of this study indicate that there is a deeper stirring from within the Jewish soul than had been previously thought by outside observers and even some community planning experts. October 7 has sparked that stirring and kindled the pilot light.

In other words, however grotesquely absurd, morally inverted, and simply unfair the accusations are against Israel and Jews, we refuse to allow the accusers to define who we are or how we will “fight back”. We refuse to view ourselves as victims. We refuse to surrender our unique and pointedly Jewish abilities we have to steer our own destinies.

The implications for Jewish communal life, at least in the short to medium term, are profound. The mainstay organizations of Jewish life must reach out, extend and embrace the increasing number of Jewish “seekers” who might be knocking at their doors for the first time.

The eJP article is avialble at:

‘The Surge,’ ‘The Core’ and more: What you need to know about the explosion of interest in Jewish life

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June 11, 2024 has been set for Ontario’s appeal of the 46-page decision by Judge Eugenia Papageorgiou denying the province’s request to dismiss GAJE’s application for fairness in educational funding before it has actually been argued in court. If the appeal fails, the application proceeds to a hearing on its merits. If the appeal succeeds, GAJE will appeal.

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Shabbat shalom.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)

May 17, 2024