Have American Jews become so secular that they are actually non Jewish? A fascinating article on The Algemeiner makes a convincing case. Outside of the Orthodox community, Jews are increasingly moving away from traditional Jewish beliefs and practices—abandoning Jewish education, turning against Israel, having no Temple affiliation—or being “2 Day a Year” attendees—and overwhelmingly embracing Intermarriage (80% rate for the Reform). 

All of this is horrifying to me! Just one generation ago, American Jews supported Israel, and I mean all of them. I do not know a single Jew, over the age of 65, that would disagree, yet the Millennials and younger, who get to experience Israel firsthand, and for free, on Birthright trips, condemn Israel, insanely calling it an Apartheid State, due to propaganda about supposed abuse of the Arabs (none of which is true). 

How did we get to this point? Strangely enough, it stems from society becoming more inclusive. Throughout history, whenever Jews were allowed to assimilate, they have done so, in large numbers. Anti-Semitism, conversely, has the odd effect of making Jews feel, and behave, more Jewishly. (Such irony, it’s hard to wrap your mind around.)

How can we reverse this scary trend towards complete Secularism? It’s not going to be easy. Certainly, we have to make a much bigger effort to reach out to the Unaffiliated, as a start. We have to offer comprehensive Jewish education—to kids and adults. We have to promote traditional families and that means, whenever possible, a Jewish husband and a Jewish wife, committed to raising Jewish children. For those who are already Intermarried, we need to facilitate and encourage conversion.

Does this mean we all need to be Orthodox? Of course not. But we must not embrace the other extreme of Secularism. There is a middle ground that will work for most of us. Judaism is not an insignificant relic. It is a living, breathing entity that sustains us as a community and makes our lives a million times better. If we choose to abandon it, we will suffer and I don’t want to see that happen. 

Judaism will look different, and mean something different, to each one of us. That is ok. What’s not ok is throwing our hands up in despair and accepting these changes as inevitable. It can be reversed; dare I say, it must be reversed, if we are to grow and thrive as a People. 

I love Judaism. I love other Jews. I want to see both flourish. I care way too much about our future to give up and I pray that everyone else feels the same. We must do our part to ensure that Judaism remains relevant and continues to be practiced. A secular life, without the Commandments, and without God, is so frightening and awful, I can’t even contemplate it. 

Judaism isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely better than the alternative of a Humanist, Godless world without order and meaning.

Holocaust education is something that should be universal for all youngsters. Unfortunately, special needs students are often left out. Not only is it unfair, it’s also unkind. The World Jewish Congress is trying to be more inclusive. They just hosted the first-ever special needs group from Israel to Poland, where they were able to tour Auschwitz, Krakow, and the Warsaw Ghetto.

I would love to see this program expanded to include Jewish youngsters from all around the world. Whether their disability is mental, emotional, or physical, with reasonable accommodations, most of them can participate—and they truly want to! They deserve to have the same experiences and educational opportunities that “normal” kids enjoy. 

We need to stop the “handicapped” mindset and replace it with a “handicapable” one. These beautiful children are not throw-aways who should put up with second best. Let’s give them the care and love they need. God never makes mistakes and they are different for a reason. It doesn’t mean they’re bad. They are exceptional in their own unique way and I fully support the special needs community. 

One of the easiest—and most enjoyable—ways to teach little ones about Jewish holidays is through crafts. Most kids love art projects and this is a great way to help them learn.

Here are my favorite resources for free Simchat Torah coloring pages. Even if a child is too young to actually read Torah, we can instill a love for its words and meaning through art. 

Supercoloring 

Family Holiday

Only Coloring Pages

Sketchite  

Once the pages have been finished, littles can have fun carrying their paper Torah, dancing and singing in celebration. 

How do you celebrate Simchat Torah?

One of the things that I’m incredibly passionate about is reaching out to Unaffiliated members of the Jewish community. (In fact, my first blog post was titled “Unaffiliated by Default” and discussed that very subject.)

I truly believe that every Jew, no matter what their observance level or personal beliefs may be, has a place in the community and we need to welcome them. By welcoming I mean not judging, not being critical, and not trying to bully them into changing. 

One such person is a lady that I know from childhood. We attended Hebrew School together and were marginally friendly, but not close. We weren’t in touch for many years until she reconnected with me on Facebook. Our lives went in very different directions. She is a single mother, with two kids, by two different men, and neither one is in the picture. Her current boyfriend, who is a multiple-time felon, is literally covered head-to-toe in tattoos and is obviously not Jewish. 

I have invited her to my home at least half a dozen times to celebrate various Jewish holidays. She has always refused, stating that she is a Humanist, an Atheist, and doesn’t believe in a “Unicorn Fairy Tale Book” (meaning the Bible). She has not been inside a temple since her Bat Mitzvah, even for her brother’s funeral. 

While I don’t agree with any of her ideas or lifestyle choices, I refuse to give up on her and her kids. The holiday of Sukkot, which is a harvest festival, presented the perfect opportunity for more outreach. Because she is a vegetarian and into camping and outdoor stuff, I suggested very casually that she was welcome to stop by my Sukkah and share dinner with us. 

After considerable hemming and hawing, she agreed, provided there was no religion discussed and no praying. Without hesitation, I accommodated her wishes, not because it was my first choice (certainly not), but because her presence and the presence of her children was important—to me, to their identity, and to the Jewish People as a whole. 

Though I haven’t seen her in person for over 20 years, it wasn’t awkward at all. It was simply two families sharing a meal, during a holiday, without either side imposing their will on the other. I’m pretty sure it was her kids first experience with anything Jewish and definitely the boyfriend’s, so I wanted it to be low key and warm. 

With huge segments of the Jewish community inter-marrying or simply cutting themselves off from traditional Jewish institutions, I feel strongly that we must make allowances for these folks and meet them where they’re at. If we are negative or preachy, they will never come back! By being kind and understanding, and not shoving religion down their throat, they will (hopefully) find their way back into the fold. 

Do I hope that she will become religious again? Of course! Do I want her children to have a full and rich Jewish life? OMG, Yes! But that can only happen in stages, over time, with encouragement and positive reinforcement. 

Every member of the Jewish community is important. Every one should be valued and honored. It doesn’t matter if they live wrong, think wrong, whatever else is wrong, because one day they may get it right. We owe it them and to ourselves to make the effort. We can not afford to turn our backs on anyone!

That is why I invited an Atheist to my Sukkah and I think you should too. Don’t expect someone else to make the first move. Extend the hand of friendship, expecting nothing in return, and truly care about that person. That, above all, is what God commands us to do—love each other unconditionally.