Big Tent Judaism

Why I am Optimistic about the Jewish Future!

We have just completed our fifth North American JOI Conference called Judaism2030: A Working Conference for a Vibrant Jewish Future. I walked away even more optimistic about the Jewish future than I did when the conference started, albeit realistic about the challenges that face us that we have to meet and transcend. Now that the conference is over, the hard work begins. But I wanted to thank the over 200 participants and nearly 50 presenters who joined with us to imagine the future and chart a path to getting there. Click here to visit eJewishPhilanthropy.com and read what some of the conference presenters addressed during their sessions.

I also wanted to share some of the visions of the future that emerged from the final session (see below.) They speak well of the future and of the creative energy of those assembled who are working hard to make it happen. We invite you to join with us as we move forward into the bright future that we have ahead of us.

Visions for the Future:

Elyssa Auster & Yael Shy
Jewish meditation and physically-expansive prayer-practices are increasingly finding their way into mainstream Jewish spirituality, and will become a major part of Jewish life in 2030.

Rabbi Mike Comins
Through attention to the spiritual dynamics of “God-moments,” and spending time in God’s creation — the natural world — more and more Jews will connect to God through Jewish, spiritual practice.

Rabbi Yehuda Sarna
With increased social mobility and fluidity of identity, people need a spiritual outlet which can lend them a meaningful personal narrative.

Dr. Leora Isaacs
A vibrant Jewish future depends on impactful, engaging and inspiring Jewish education.

Rabbi Lance Sussman
The question of synagogue membership, its value and purpose, is the central quest facing American Judaism today and tomorrow

Esther Safran Foer
Jewish institutions must employ alternatives to traditional membership models to engage Jews, making sure they connect and remain connected to Judaism throughout their lives.

Rabbi Steve Gutow
Climate change, social media, a new Middle East, and shifting economic power from America to China will be fundamental challenges for the Jewish people of tomorrow

Simha Rosenberg
Challenge for the Jewish future: embrace others’ democracy and prosperity, and realize that everyone’s fortunes depend on sustainability

Cheryl Cook
Imagine the impact if synagogues across the country decided to embrace a zero-waste policy. Just one idea of many that our institutions are implementing to create a more sustainable Jewish community and world.

Dr. David Elcott and Stuart Himmelfarb
Baby boomers are embarking on an exciting new phase; their emerging interests and skills can change Jewish life…or be lost if we fail to engage them.

Dov Ben-Shimon
There are clearly identifiable trends and rhythms in global Jewish life; the main ones appear to be consolidation, economic stabilization and a continued quest for Jewish “identity”

Martin Raffel
Shared interests and values provide a foundation for the next generation of Jews to pursue visionary projects of building Israel as an Or La’goyim (light unto the nations) and of promoting justice throughout the world.

Eli Valley
The denigration and dismissal of Diaspora Jewish life is based on an outmoded ideology that needs to change.

Dr. Ellen Umansky
Do we need a set of commonly agreed upon beliefs in order to survive, and thrive, as a Jewish community?

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