So, this is a trend many have seen coming.
But if we learn anything from the past, it’s that triumphalism is not healthy for anyone.
The growth of Orthodoxy should be seen as a greater communal responsibility to ensure that we nurture and protect Jewish identity for everyone.
But if we learn anything from the past, it’s that triumphalism is not healthy for anyone.
The growth of Orthodoxy should be seen as a greater communal responsibility to ensure that we nurture and protect Jewish identity for everyone.
The Conservative movement had similar #’s 60 years ago.
Marshall Sklare thought it would be the only denomination to preserve Judaism in America.
He was wrong. But that’s not the lesson.
No denomination should rest on their successes: keep bringing Jewish ideas to more Jews.
Marshall Sklare thought it would be the only denomination to preserve Judaism in America.
He was wrong. But that’s not the lesson.
No denomination should rest on their successes: keep bringing Jewish ideas to more Jews.
Ok, Jewish Twitter, we have to do better.
Some of my thoughts are quoted in this @washingtonpost story my @mboorstein.
https://twitter.com/mboorstein/status/1392149267960242186
Instead of focusing on what other denominations are doing wrong, I focused on what Orthodoxy is doing right.
I think it boils down to two factors:
(1) Orthodox Jewish education system
(2) Creating great sticky think Jewish culture.
I think it boils down to two factors:
(1) Orthodox Jewish education system
(2) Creating great sticky think Jewish culture.
Just to be crystal clear: I think the embrace of pop culture mediums is great for Orthodoxy and Judaism at large.
It creates a wide entrance to an otherwise very obscure set of ideas.
We *want* our entrances to shine. Even if that sometimes comes at the cost of ideology.
It creates a wide entrance to an otherwise very obscure set of ideas.
We *want* our entrances to shine. Even if that sometimes comes at the cost of ideology.
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
For decades Orthodox Jews were suspicious of “Jewish Culture.” It felt empty and hollow.
But over the past 20 years, Orthodoxy has created its own. And it’s wonderful! Sure, it can feel exclusive or watered-down but it opens up our world.
For decades Orthodox Jews were suspicious of “Jewish Culture.” It felt empty and hollow.
But over the past 20 years, Orthodoxy has created its own. And it’s wonderful! Sure, it can feel exclusive or watered-down but it opens up our world.
A while back I wrote about pop culture and Torah education.
It’s definitely a mixed bag. But I see it as a net positive.
When it’s anchored in a Torah education, the culture that emerges contains spiritual remnants as well.
Link: 18forty.org/wp-content/upl…
It’s definitely a mixed bag. But I see it as a net positive.
When it’s anchored in a Torah education, the culture that emerges contains spiritual remnants as well.
Link: 18forty.org/wp-content/upl…
Let me give another example about this shift to Orthodox Jewish culture.
Find an old issue of the Jewish Observer. They’re almost all online. Look at what they write about, who writes, the style, and pay close attention to the ads.
Now open any contemporary Orthodox magazine.
Find an old issue of the Jewish Observer. They’re almost all online. Look at what they write about, who writes, the style, and pay close attention to the ads.
Now open any contemporary Orthodox magazine.
That’s not a knock on The Jewish Observer. It’s was an amazing magazine. But for a host of reasons it couldn’t be sustained.
And it’s not a knock on contemporary Orthodox publications. I love them!
But if you don’t see a clear shift, I’m not sure you’re really looking.
And it’s not a knock on contemporary Orthodox publications. I love them!
But if you don’t see a clear shift, I’m not sure you’re really looking.
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