(This update is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Barry Cutler. By his knowledge, experience, skill and deep goodness of character, he ministered to the many, various needs of all humanity. In doing so, he also ministered to the singular need of God Above to know that His creations are respected and cared for Dr. Cutler passed away this week on the 13th day of Iyar. His memory will always be for blessing.)
Last week in this space, GAJE noted that 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.”
This week, we note observations by Dr. Steven Windmueller that relate directly to the findings of that survey. Entitled, In the Wake of October 7: Reflections on the American Jewish Community, Windmueller’s article focuses on the impact of October 7 upon the Jewish community of the United States in very general, broad categories. His observations are applicable to our situation in Canada. The article was published by the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs on May 20.
Windmueller is Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Studies at the Jack H. Skirball Campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles and currently a Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
The author suggests we are now in a “new moment in time for Jews of this [USA] country.” He writes that “since early October 2023, this community has moved through a series of distinctive emotional and political experiences, with each phase being challenging.” He identifies those four stages as: Trauma and Shock; Mobilization and Unity; Questions and Challenges; and Uncertainty and Concern. Of course, he defines each stage and demarcates it according to the chronology of events that have unfolded since October 7.
A longstanding observer of American Jewish life, Windmueller is quite forthright without being alarmist. He does not offer details regarding the nature of the community that is currently reshaping. He cannot yet do so because the situation is fluid. Events at home and abroad are still unfolding. Windmueller offers certainty of the direction but not of the ultimate destination.
“How we see ourselves as part of America, as well as how we understand our connections with Israel and the global Jewish community, are being refashioned. We are now redefining our identities as we revisit our political standing, communal priorities, and cultural moorings. We are encountering a totally different moment in our Jewish consciousness. Physically and emotionally, we find ourselves in an uncomfortable and uncertain place as we awaken to the full impact of this tsunami of hate and political disruption that is transforming the Jewish people.”
The eye-opening piece of new information that GAJE noted last week, however, is that to some extent at least, the transformation is leading many of our co-religionists in our respective communities to become “more invested in their identity and community and looking for ways to connect.” If this response to “the new moment in time for Jews of the community” is correct – and we have no reason to suggest it is not – then our lay and professional leaders of Jewish education, must soon fire up the engines of Jewish education.
Dr. Windmueller’s article is available at:
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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.
If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit, please click here.
For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of underwriting the costs of the lawsuit.
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Shabbat shalom.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
May 24, 2024
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 