Big Tent Judaism

Skipping Out on the High Holidays

Some people find High Holiday services interesting, engaging, and conducive for meaningful spiritual and religious experiences, while others find them boring and tedious. Much of it depends on the way a congregation welcomes and engages newcomers, but it also depends on the participant’s outlook and their previous experiences at services. Tom Tugend’s article in JTA, called Bored, Disbelieving and Disillusioned, Jewish Professionals Skip Shul Services addresses the question of why many people who feel deeply connected to Judaism choose not to attend High Holiday services. Whether or not someone attends services on the High Holidays is sometimes seen as a barometer of an individual’s Jewish commitment. However, many of these individuals are highly involved with Jewish life; they simply aren’t drawn to the synagogue experience.

If these engaged Jews don’t want to go to synagogue on one of the most important holidays of the year, what of those on the periphery, including young adults and interfaith families? I think there are two responses to this question. First, we can open the door to an inclusive Jewish community all we want, but if the product inside isn’t meaningful, interesting, and compelling people may walk right back out. So we need to ensure a meaningful and relevant experience. And second, our communities should work to offer a variety of options for holidays and Jewish observance—including non-traditional activities outside of the synagogue like Destination Jewish Culture events—so that more people can find a niche where they feel comfortable in, where they are open to having that meaningful experience.

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