I have a secret for you... it's something you'd never guess... are you ready? I'm Jewish! Not a big shock to most of the people reading this since most of you already know me. In fact, all of you probably know me because the only people that read this are people I'm friends with on some social network site, and you all know me! But there is a reason for me writing this post. I recently became the Youth Committee Chairperson at my synagogue which is the synagogue I have belonged to forever. Alot of you know how active I was in the youth group there. In fact, that's how I met about 90 percent of you. Insert nostalgia here: When I was in BOFTY (Beth Or Federation of Temple Youth) go ahead, roll your eyes, it's ok... it was one of the most successful and thriving youth programs in the region. Today, unfortunately, it's a very different story. I have outlined a plan for the Youth Committee this year to begin to revitalize the program and it will definitely be an uphill battle. This is not news to any of us who are still actively involved in our congregations. It's not something that is unique to Beth Or by any means. It is a nationwide issue for the Jewish Community.
Let's face it, people are busy, involved in a million different activities. Why then is the synagogue such an integral part of my life, but so far off the radar of so many others that it's not even a thought? In my mind, it's easy to answer. I, like so many others, slipped away from my involvement in the synagogue starting in college. I know, I know, the bigger issue here is the kids that disappear from synagogue life after their bar/bat mitzvah. I can't speak to that because it didn't happen to me. It didn't happen to me because the synagogue was still relevant to my life and to the lives of my parents at that time. The thing that made the synagogue relevant to me again was my children. My daughter started Sunday school and the flood gates opened for me again. Sarah is a member of the Jr. Choir, and active in BOFTY activities. She feels as comfortable and at home at our synagogue as I was all those years ago when I was a kid.
By now, you're thinking "what's his point here? I'm bored and I'm going to stop reading this now" I get it, why do you think I call this blog "Am I Really That Interesting?" So, here comes the point! Isn't one of the simplest solutions to the lack of engagement among the Jewish Community with their respective congregations just to make the Synagogue RELEVANT again? What makes something relevant is completely different to every one of us. Some of us are into fitness, exercise, some are into music, learning, reading, cooking. The list goes on and on. So how do we get so many different people to feel engaged with so many different needs? How about the "Center" approach? Jewish Community Centers (JCC's) offer a wide range of activities in a Jewish environment. A Synagogue is about community, spirituality, prayer, learning. What's missing these days is the community component. Create a reason for people to become engaged, and they will become engaged. Find out what people need/want and offer it. Making the synagogue part of the fabric of our lives is the key.
Sure, my focus is Youth. I understand it, I live it and that is the key to my engagement. But that is a small component of congregational life. Maybe instead of going to your local gym and paying outrageous prices for a Zumba class, if one was offered at your synagogue, wouldn't you consider attending? What if that cooking class you've always thought of taking was offered as a benefit of your synagogue dues, you'd consider going there for that wouldn't you? It's time to take a big step outside the box. Once we have a reason to become engaged in congregational life, the opportunities are endless. I'm not taking anything away from the spirituality, learning, prayer. Once you have people engaged and once it is a RELEVANT, integrated aspect of their lives, the rest comes easily.
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