|
|
Back to the future
LENI REISS
Senior Contributing Editor
Rabbi Bonnie Koppell reminds us that 50 years is the blink of an eye in the ultimate scheme of Jewish history. Yet in the life of our Jewish community here in the Valley, it is a long, long time.
As Jewish News looks back on five decades of covering the community, we asked local residents to share their thoughts, hopes and projections for the next half century.
While they all talked optimistically about the future, they also shared concerns about the challenges created by intermarriage, low affiliation rates, a breakdown of traditional values and ties to Israel.
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES
Stuart Turnansky
Board member, Jewish
Community Center, Kivel
Geriatric Center, Hillel at ASU, Jewish Community Relations Council
Ours is a community earmarked by incredibly rapid growth and change. We are positioning ourselves to respond to the needs of our members and emerge into the 21st century as dynamic, vibrant and strong.
But there are problems. Intermarriage is disturbingly high and affiliation is disturbingly low. Our synagogues seem sometimes to lack a communal focus. And, most sadly, we seem to be losing our youth, our most precious treasure, to the crashing wave of assimilation. Troubling, to say the least.
But these concerns also offer great opportunities. Intermarriage can give us the opportunity to invite spouses to explore and embrace the Jewish faith and bring new Jewish meaning to our families. The unaffiliated challenge us to create new and exciting programs to bring them back into the fold. And, as for our greatest challenge during this time of eroding social values, we must rededicate ourselves to teaching our youngsters basic Jewish values.
As we look back upon our many accomplishments, we must look forward to address the challenges: expanded Jewish education, strengthened synagogues with increased ties to community, an ever-widening outreach to the unaffiliated, meaningful and exciting programs for our youngsters and a Jewish community campus.
We need to learn from the past, work in the present, build a new and better future. We owe it to ourselves - and our children.
BACK TO BASICS
Rabbi Chaim Silver
Young Israel of Phoenix
The Phoenix Jewish community can look to the future with confidence. We have most of the tools necessary to build and fortify a traditional Torah lifestyle. Unfortunately, the general tide in the past has been toward assimilation and intermarriage. Every decade has encouraged new ways that have resulted in an ever increasing intermarriage rate. This is all changing. Our community is coming to realize that the only way to ensure our continuity is not by instituting new ideas but rather by returning to traditional ways.
"Back to basics" must be our motto. How can we expect to create a Jewish community strong enough to deal with the challenges of the new millennium if we do not educate this generation and the next about what it means to be Jewish?
For 2,000 years we were exiled, persecuted and murdered, yet the Jewish people have prevailed. The last 50 years prove that upholding our principles can produce a strong Judaism, but when the line in the sand moves, it shakes the foundation upon which we stand.
We have much to look forward to and much work to do before the dream becomes reality. Classes, programs and events must be created to strengthen our knowledge of Torah, enlightening us as to how truly special it is to be Jewish. I am seeing a renewed interest in learning. Fulfilling that goal will enhance this community and make us all proud.
LIGHT IN THE DESERT
Elaine Schreiber
President, Jewish Federation
of Greater Phoenix
Our Valley is the prototype of the American Jewish community of the future. My hope is that we can become a vibrant Jewish place. In the past year we have begun to see the coming together of a critical mass of our people at events and gatherings. This could portend a renewed search for Jewish identity.
With the establishment of new facilities for almost all of our agencies, along with the relocation of many congregations, perhaps we will see the redevelopment of Jewish neighborhoods. With the proliferation of day schools and a new Jewish high school, upcoming generations of educated Jewish leadership will be a powerful force in renewed commitment to our traditions.
Our Valley will establish new relationships with Israel based on commonality of identity as a people with a shared heritage as well as a contemporary society sharing a culture along with economic opportunities, education and friendship.
I pray that our Valley is on its way to becoming an ohr b'midbar, a Jewish light in the desert.
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY
Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
Temple Beth Sholom of Mesa
In the ultimate scheme of Jewish history, 50 years is the blink of an eye. In the life of an individual, however, it is enormous. Fifty years ago I could never have conceived of the advances in technology which we now take for granted.
Who can imagine where the next 50 years will lead us? It is safe to assume that every Jew will have electronic access to every other Jew, to every Jewish institution and resource, locally and globally. Paradoxically, I suspect that we will discover in the process how much we still need each other, live and in person. By then we will have transcended our fascination with technology and emerged to find that no matter how medicine advances, we still appreciate the comfort of a hand to hold when we are in pain, and a smiling face to share our nachas (joy) at a simcha (celebration).
Consequently, the synagogue will reassert itself as the primary focus of Jewish life. Israel will be at peace and our financial resources will be redirected toward local needs. Jewish education will be free and universally available, with teachers who are well paid and esteemed in the community. Day school, high school and afternoon programs all will be subsidized and be models of creative exploration and tolerance.
The sense of mutual support will extend to our acceptance of alternative visions of Judaism as we work together in a spirit of harmony and respect. A full calendar of events will engage the entire community. Women will be respected leaders.
Fifty years from now I will be retired, occasionally stepping out to share the nachas of a brit or bat mitzvah of the grandchildren of my present members. The East Valley will have its own Jewish seniors' residence, part of a magnificent Jewish Community Center Campus. Plan to stop by and say "Shalom."
ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY
David Weiner
Chairman, Israel Office, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix; National board member,
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
My dream scenario for the future of our Jewish community can be described in four acts.
Act 1: Because our heritage and culture are defined and explained through the ancient land of Israel, as is the post-Holocaust redemption of our people, all children will be able to spend time and study in Israel. The community will assume responsibility when families cannot afford to make it happen.
Act 2: There will be one Jewish school system to accommodate the needs of children from all denominations. Instead of separate facilities, one school will provide for the needs of all groups, doing away with the separatism that can lead to a lack of mutual respect and understanding.
Act 3: In 2048 there will be fewer local and national communal organizations, but those remaining will be stronger and more efficient. Greater services will be achieved with less duplication.
Act 4: The final act will be an extensive retrospective look back, to see how the earlier acts have created a more cohesive community, with less intermarriage and a deeper commitment to being our brothers' keepers.
|
