Judaism’s Need To State Its Value Proposition
© James A. Stein — 2015
We need to develop personal, values-based answers to the threshold questions: Why be Jewish? Why is it important to “be” Jewish, and to “do” Jewish? Why is it important to raise Jewish kids and grandkids?
We need to articulate a concise, compelling and comprehensive value proposition about preserving and building a Judaism for the 21st century. The value proposition needs to be affirmative and positive. So, let’s discuss what’s worth preserving – be it the religion, the culture, the food, the history, the spirituality, the social justice ethic, etc.
We need to answer the question of how being Jewish will add value to a person’s life. What are we trying to accomplish with religious practice, observance and spiritual practice? How will being Jewish help a person answer life’s questions, issues and challenges? Until recently, we have simply taken this for granted.
Stated another way, what will be lost, abandoned and forgotten if we don’t promote strong, positive, values-based messages regarding the importance of Jewish knowledge, wisdom, values and spirituality to the next generations?
What does it mean to be Jewish or a member of any tribe in the 21st century? The Tribe
If we can’t come up with cogent answers to these questions, how can we expect our children and grandchildren to “buy-in” to our concerns and create their own Jewish journeys?
So, based upon your values, let’s start by answering the following questions:
1. Why is it important for you to “be” Jewish and “do” Jewish?
2. Complete the following sentences: “You should be Jewish because _____.” And “I want you to raise Jewish kids because _____.”
3. Develop Your Own Top 10 List of Reasons to be and do Jewish.
Please share you list with me. Let’s start a dialog.