Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I attended the Union for Judaism Biennial outside Washington this past December . . .
I attended the Union for Judaism Biennial outside Washington this past December with a large Beth Emeth contingent (including four Beth Emeth officers.) Among the highlights was a discussion of a new URJ initiative, the "Campaign for Youth Engagement" (CYE). Why is the Reform Movement embarking on this Campaign? According to the URJ, "Our communities are full of dedicated and creative lay people and professionals who successfully engage youth and families. And yet, if current trends continue in our congregations, approximately 80% of the children who become b'nei mitzvah will have no connection of any kind to their Jewish community by the time they reach the 12th grade. We need to better understand why far too often, youth and their families feel it is not worth their time and money to stay engaged in Jewish life." Throughout 2011, a limited number of congregations began to participate in a series of innovative pilot initiatives designed to engage more teens.My hope is that Beth Emeth will bring its own creative talents to this issue in 1012. Thinking differently about youth engagement means utilizing new and distinctive planning tools. The CYE is currently piloting two tools to help congregations vision youth engagement. These tools are "Congregation Based Community Organizing" and "Planning Guide for Youth Engagement." Beth Emeth has a good track record of youth engagement, but we can always improve. Please bring your ideas to our lay leadership, clergy, and to our Religious School leadership and staff.
Shalom,
Garry
