The Jewish establishment\u2019s anxiety regarding the Jewish identity of millennials is\u00a0not unfounded. The emergence of a new generation of Jews who were born and\u00a0raised in open society with a freedom to choose their Judaism does not necessarily\u00a0promise continuity. Furthermore, individualism, egocentrism and criticism of existing\u00a0establishments, tendencies associated with Millennials, created room for additional\u00a0concerns. These concerns seem, at face value at least, to relate most acutely to the\u00a0collective dimension of Judaism \u2013 Jewish Peoplehood.<\/p>\n
We decided to challenge some of the above assumptions by exploring the relations\u00a0between millennials and Peoplehood through the practical lens of the Peoplehood\u00a0nurturing work in that age group. We engaged three groups of stake holders in\u00a0this conversation: 1) Senior professionals of organizations focusing on millennials; 2)\u00a0Educators; 3) Millennials. Some key questions we asked were:<\/p>\n
Before highlighting some of the key points that emerged from this collection of essays\u00a0it is worth noting that in general the story of engaging millennials with Peoplehood\u00a0appears to be a success story. Millennials seem, in their own way, to embrace their version\u00a0of Jewish Peoplehood. The organizations working with them have adopted creative\u00a0learner centered approaches that enable and empower the Millennials to develop\u00a0their own voice, without losing sight of the overall goal. This does not mean that a\u00a0comprehensive solution to the millennial challenge has been achieved. Yet the fact that\u00a0strategic, innovative and effective pedagogic approaches have been developed holds\u00a0great promise to it.<\/p>\n
Some points to highlight:<\/p>\n
In conclusion this exchange of opinions should leave those concerned with the Jewish\u00a0future optimistic. Millennials may be grappling with the right language to express\u00a0their connection to Jewish Peoplehood but appreciate belonging to a larger whole.<\/p>\n
The organizations working with them seem to have developed creative strategies and\u00a0pedagogies to engage them in the conversation and integrate their voice (voices) into\u00a0the communal choir. It does leave one curious as to what kind of a Jewish world will\u00a0emerge as the millennials take charge. Different no doubt, yet for sure more colorful.<\/p>\n
We would like to thank the ROI Community<\/a> for all their help in putting this collection of<\/em><\/p>\n