Helping families “raise Jews” through Jewish education is one of the chief priorities of our organized Jewish community. Helping the community try to ensure that such education is truly affordable is GAJE’s chief priority and has been, since the volunteer group was founded some 15 years ago.
We have all to adjust and react sharply with strength and resolve to the abhorrent rise in anti-Jewish, anti-Israel hatred after “October 7”. It has become, alas, a grotesque, unsettling but recurring aspect of life in many communities in the West.
Since the first hateful, anti-Jewish manifestations appeared on our streets and in our institutions, GAJE has counseled that “being and doing Jewish” is the best way to fight the anti-Semites. In this week’s update we bring readers’ attention to an iteration of that same counsel offered by Rabbi Steven Burg.
In an article published two months ago in the Jerusalem Post, Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish, suggested that the truest way to strengthen Jewish communities is to focus on identity, education, and unity. We cannot change the antisemite. But we can – and must – teach and enable our children to live meaningfully in the world as Jews.
Rabbi Burg wrote: “While we must certainly continue defending against the surge of antisemitism we have been witnessing globally since the Hamas mega-atrocity in Israel on October 7, 2023, we cannot allow this defensive posture to become our primary focus. The Jewish future demands more than just survival – it requires revival.”
He then described “three foundational principles” that we ought to embrace “to ensure our people’s future in an increasingly complex world: responsibility, wisdom, and love.”
Rabbi Burg elaborated.
“The Jewish concept of responsibility extends far beyond individual accountability. It’s about recognizing that every Jew bears responsibility for the welfare and continuity of the entire Jewish people.”
Jewish wisdom, accumulated over millennia provides the intellectual and spiritual foundation for Jewish identity… It’s about deep engagement with Jewish texts, thoughts, and traditions that help us understand not just what it means to be Jewish, but why being Jewish matters…We must make Jewish wisdom and learning accessible and relevant while maintaining its depth and authenticity. This means investing in education at all levels: from early childhood through adulthood, in person and online, and utilizing modern technology and teaching methods to reach Jews wherever they are and whatever their level of Jewish knowledge.”
Love…both for fellow Jews and for Judaism itself. This isn’t about agreeing with everyone or overlooking genuine differences. Rather, it’s about maintaining connection and care despite disagreements…[and that] extends beyond times of crisis…”
The triad of Rabbi Burg’s principles stands firmly on a structure of Jewish education.
“We need to invest in Jewish education at all levels. We must create more opportunities for meaningful Jewish experiences that go beyond surface-level engagement. We need to build bridges between different Jewish communities and denominations while respecting our differences…”.
Rabbi Burg concludes: “The future of the Jewish people depends not just on fighting antisemitism, as important as that is, but on building a positive, meaningful Jewish identity that makes our heritage worth preserving and passing on. We need to embrace responsibility, wisdom, and love. That way we can ensure that future generations of Jews won’t just know what they’re fighting against, but what they’re living for.”
Rabbi Burg’s prescription for Jewish survival is a worthy one.
His article is available at:
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GAJE expects to be before the Court of Appeal in the Fall, arguing for the right to a hearing on the merits of our application for fair educational funding in Ontario. When we learn the date of the hearing, we will share it with our readers.
If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit, please click here. Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of helping to underwrite the costs of the lawsuit. For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
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Shabbat shalom. Chag samayach. Am Yisrael Chai
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
April 18, 2025
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 