Tikvat Israel Blog

Arnold M. Eisen, a former Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University, is the new Chancellor-elect of the Jewish Theological Seminary. What kind of person is Dr. Eisen, and what is his vision for United Synagogue of Conservatism Judaism?

I decided to begin answering these questions in two ways. First, I read his best known book that was co-authored with Steven M. Cohen, The Jew Within: Self, Family, and Community in America (Indiana University Press, 2000). And second, I attended two lectures that he delivered at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC on November 2, 2006.

In The Jew Within, Cohen and Eisen pose an important question: “What leads some Jews to place Jewish commitment at the very center of their lives, while others are content – or driven – to leave it at the margins?” To answer this question, the authors interviewed 1,005 baby boomers throughout the United States who described themselves as “moderately affiliated Jews,” which Cohen and Eisen estimate constitute 20 percent of the contemporary Jewish population.

Their major conclusion is that the “principal authority for contemporary American Jews, in the absence of compelling religious norms and communal loyalties, has become the sovereign self.” Their first religious language is one of profound individualism, which has the following characteristics:

• The emphasis is on voluntarism and personal meaning, not the group.
• Jewish meaning is constructed in private space and time, not just in Jewish institutions.
• Issues of spirituality often are combined with a diminished interest in the synagogue.
• Identity is fluid and can change throughout a person’s life.
• There is a declining interest in Israel.

Cohen and Eisen conclude their stimulating study by stating that the Jews they interviewed often make no direct connection between God and the rituals and texts of traditional Judaism. In comparison to their parents’ generation, many American Jews in their thirties, forties, and fifties are finding less meaning in Jewish organizations, Jewish philanthropic endeavors, and attachment to the state of Israel.

The conclusions to this book will not surprise anyone who has read Robert Bellah’s acclaimed Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life (1985) or Robert Putnam’s equally well-known Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000). As Putnam argues, if strong social bonds are the most important predictor of satisfaction and success in America, then we are in trouble because there has been an erosion of civic life in this country over the past few decades. In The Jew Within, Cohen and Eisen describe the shrinkage of the public sphere in Judaism, which Putnam describes on a national and nondenominational scale.

Eisen, however, is not content to accept this situation. In his presentations at Adas Israel, he addressed two major concerns: JTS and the future of American Judaism. Regarding JTS, Eisen believes that it must raise its visibility and become more prominent in Conservative synagogues through its scholarship – which maintains continuity and tradition without resorting to polemics or apologetics – and through a dialogue with other Jews, especially those who are unaffiliated and feel no responsibility for their brethren.

Regarding the future of American Judaism, Eisen is moderately optimistic. We are fortunate, he argues, to have the blessings of freedom. No one wants to return to the shetl or the ghetto. The question for him is the same one that the great German thinker Moses Mendelssohn posed in the late eighteenth century on the eve of emancipation: how do we embrace modernity and still remain Jews?

Eisen believes that we must use our ample resources to fashion strong communities, teach torah in compelling ways, and put an emphasis on quality in our Jewish institutions. We must persuade other Jews to become more active in the Jewish community by looking inward and outward simultaneously. From Abraham onward, Jews have been told to be blessing to each other and to the rest of the world. For Eisen, this is the principal challenge we face as Conservative Jews. We must remain a vibrant minority culture while fully participating in modern American life.

In both presentations, Eisen’s audiences were very impressed with his eloquence, passion, and convictions. They also appreciated his eagerness to answer their questions and his genuine interest in their perspectives on Conservative Judaism. Eisen has what Sir Walter Raleigh memorably called an “experiencing nature,” and he is able to seamlessly meld his personal life, scholarship, and broader Jewish concerns in compelling ways. Based on what I have read and heard, I believe that Arnold M. Eisen can be a very dynamic, inspiring, and effective leader, but he will need our help to achieve his vision of Judaism.

Jayme A. Sokolow

Co-President

Several people asked me if I would blog the Kol Nidre talk I gave last night. While I suspect it doesn’t work quite as well on “paper” as from the bima, but I hope it will still be worthwhile.

– Jim H.
Kol Nidre talk – Jim Hendler – Oct 1, 2006

I want to start with a family story, but not a humorous one like Shelly (the past President) usually led with: You see, my grandfather, may he rest in peace, was observant, and brought my father up in an observant home. My Dad and his siblings attended Yeshivot and my Grandparents made sure the kids were raised with them as role models for Tzedakah and other Jewish values.

Grandpa was a regular attendee at his Brooklyn synagogue, rarely missing a service. But there was one thing he hated! Every year on Yom Kippur, during this, the Kol Nidre service, the beginning of the holiest day of the year, there was a major fund-raiser – focusing on money instead of on prayer and penetance.

One year he couldn’t take it anymore. When the fund-raising started he got up to leave. “Mr. Hendler,” yelled the President, “If you walk out just keep walking, and don’t come back.” Well, my grandfather was a stubborn man, he’s where I get it from, and he took it literally – he walked out and he never went back. He remained bitter, feeling betrayed by the religion he loved.

This event had great impact on my life, you see my father was badly shaken by this and it was the beginning of his retreat from organized religion – I was not brought up particularly Jewish, and only Bar Mtizvah’ed because my grandfather insisted. So I have to tell you, as I stand here, tonight, I can feel my Grandpa and my Dad staring over my shoulder waiting to see what I’m going to do…

A few weeks knowing that this was coming, I met with the Rabbi and told him this story and asked if there was a reason that the Kol Nidre appeal existed – I was hoping he’d have a magic solution for me – you know “Rabbi Tarfon said” or “the Par Shel Yom Kippur” that sort of thing. But he didn’t – he said we do the Kol Nidre appeal because that’s when the people are here. He pointed out in my Grandpa’s shul that the raising of money probably included bidding and dollar figures and wasn’t as, err, “subtle” as it was here – but that didn’t really help me feel much better – but then he said something really profound – he said — maybe what you have to do is think about what is it here that makes it, and I quote his words ‘a special place’” and that really resonated.

Because, you see, to me this truly is a very special place.

For example, I don’t have to tell you about the quality of our leadership. You all have heard our Cantor tonight and on many other occasions, and I don’t need to say anything about the quality of her voice – wow – but I think there is something not everyone realizes – at a lot of shuls services are more like a Cantor’s recital than a participatory event. I cannot tell you how many visitors to our Shabbat services have commented to me, somewhat amazed, not just about how many different tunes we use, and change from week to week, but that the Congregation knows them all and joins in – there are many congregations where people sing along to a few of the prayers, but people cannot believe just how many we’ve learned and used – this is a very special place.

I also don’t have to spend too much time qvelling about the Rabbi – you’ve heard him speak and you know how inspiring his words can be – but I’m not sure you all realize how special he is – he’s not just the Rabbi to our congregation, he’s the Chief Rabbi of Nigeria! (Really, I’m not making this stuff up) one of the things that is most important to me is that our Rabbi makes sure that not only are we a knowledgable Jewish community, but that we are a open to understanding other people. I don’t know of another Conservative shul anywhere that has seen speakers ranging from a muslim judge on Shabbat to regular classes taught by an Orthodox Rabbi – and if you were here for the incredible service where a Ugandan Jew was dancing joyously on our bima in celebration of his first Torah Aliyah then I don’t have to tell you, you know – this is a very special place.

I also want to qvell about our ECC and Religious school. The ECC includes Hebrew immersion classes, and is a place of learning, not just a childcare center. I love walking through the halls in the morning and hearing those little voices wishing me “shalom Jim”.

And where a lot of other synagogues are cutting back on their religious schools and their early education programs, we have refused to diminish our quality. The Religious School has resisted the temptation to move to a two day school, instead choosing to make sure that the children training for Bnei Mitzvah really know what they are doing – if you’ve attended the Bar or Bat Mitzvah of one of our kids, you know what I am talking about.

I am proud that Sandy Levine [our religioues scholl director] has led the way on this, and it’s not just me – Sandy led our school in a process that resulted in our receiving a commendation from the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning – an honor to the school, and one that will keep giving as Sandy and our wonderful teachers use the results of the study that was done, and the award we won, to keep improving our programs.

We also have a program for teens that is awesome, and if you don’t believe me just ask Neil Newman, or the Rabbi, or anyone else who teaches in it – or even ask the kids, I asked one of them how it was going the other day and she said “good” – which you must admit is high praise coming from a teenager! In short, our shul offers programs that go from pre-K to pre-College and they are absolutely first rate – this is a very special place!

And speaking about kids – I hope nobody missed the announcement that our Kadima and USY were award recipients from the Seaboard region, and that our family Education took a Silver award. Lynn Berk, our director of Youth and Family programming, Lynne Benzion, our Youth Commission chair, the members of her committee, and the wonderful new advisors we have for all our youth groups have really turned things around – there was a time not so long ago when we were limping, now we’re off and running (sometimes, in fact, running for our lives – was anyone else here for the laser tag night – oy! – what a wonderful balligan!) My special thanks to both Lynns and everyone else who has worked with them– you really are helping to keep this a very special place.

Oh, and talking about awards, there’s Jay Goldman and the strategic communications committee who completely redesigned and reimplemented our website, winning a Gold Award from the Seaboard region for their work. Some of you know that in my “civilian” life I teach computer science at Maryland, and in fact my specialization is research in the World Wide Web – but I gotta tell you, these days when I have problems, I call Janaki to ask her for help – this is a very special – website.

On a more somber note, if you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one you know about our bereavement committee headed by Dave Gantz and Hal Diamond. The committee not only helps arrange for Minyanim and shiva, but actually takes care of making sure the body is washed and guarded in keeping with Jewish laws – this is a very special and sacred mitzvah – and it is wonderful to be part of a shul that makes sure we are treated with honor not just while alive, but thereafter – this is quite rare in Conservative shuls, but then, as I may have mentioned, this is a very special place.

Our Adult Education and Social action committees, also very special. And our Sisterhood and our religious practices committee and our new membership group and our sports clubs and the wonderful new Hazak chapter and Toastmasters and the Shekakol society(I had to mention that) and and and and – Sigh I’d like to go on all night telling you about the amazing things that our committees do – but you don’t want to stay till morning, Suffice to say there’s an amazing amount that goes on here – and I want to thank each and everyone who volunteers any of their time to making our shul work – because work it does – this is a very special place.

OK, but enough qvelling – now I gotta get to the hard part. You see, I’m the sort of person who would rather do something himself than ask someone else to do it – For years I’ve been much happier doing things for our shul than asking other people to, in fact that’s how I ended up here tonight — I really hate twisting arms.

But despite that, I need to do some arm-twisting, and I have three things I’m going to ask you. If you can’t do all three, then do two. If you can’t bring yourself to do two, do one. Because if you won’t all do at least one of these things, then this won’t continue to be such a special place…

First, I want to ask you for some kind words. Not for me, but for this very special place of ours.

A few minutes ago I was qvelling about our Hebrew school and how great it is. Unfortunately, sometimes I feel like that is one of our shul’s best kept secrets. Many of you figured that out, it’s your kids who attend our school – but again, we need you to pass the word. Increasing our enrollment also means more kids for our award winning Youth groups, more programs for families, and more kids for me to smile and make faces at from the bima (*mugs at Miriam*). People won’t come unless YOU tell them about our school and our youth groups – please, don’t stint on the praise – help others discover our special youth programs.

I hope that the first part of my talk reminded you what a special place this is. The key to our survival as a community is our membership — Making sure new members of our community know what a gem we have is crucial for our continuity – so if you know someone unaffiliated, if they’re new or even if they’ve been in the area for years, help them understand the importance of being part of a community – and especially part of our community – help others to join our very special place.

So first, tell people about us!

Second, I want to ask you to do something. No, I don’t mean to do something specific, I mean to do something! Whatever level of involvement you have in the shul, I want you to do more. If you are someone who only comes here on the High Holidays, then please, try coming some time on Shabbat or for a daily service (mornings and evenings, there’s always a place). I know, I know, it seems a bit daunting if you’ve never done it, and it’s not always that comfortable if you feel like other people know what they’re doing and you don’t. But all of us started somewhere – it’s habit forming! And we need you….

Or if attending services is not your thing, come to something else. Come to one of our Adult Ed speakers on a Sunday morning, or one of our classes or come hear our visiting scholar. Come to one of our mitzvah days or other social action events. There’s always things going on here, stop throwing that bulletin away unread and instead look through it, find something you’d like to attend, and attend it.

Oh wait, I see some of you sitting there smirking – you already attend lots of services and come to many shul events. Sorry, I’m not letting you off the hook. If you’re coming to services now and then, make a minyan commitment and come more often. If you’re already attending services, learn to lead – If I could do it, with my lack of Hebrew background and me well-known lack of musicality, you certainly can.

Or are you already attend synagogue events? Great, help organize one. Join Sisterhood, or one of our committees, there’s sure to be one in an area of your interests. What? You’re already on a committee, thanks! Now we could use your help running it next year… or do you think the synagogue is doing things wrong (and who doesn’t have a gripe now and then), well join the board! You’re on the board? Mazel Tov – become an officer. There’s no one in this shul who couldn’t step up to one more thing (okay, there’s Jayme, but everyone else). The specialness of this place is made possible by many people doing many things – and we need you involved to help keep this special place special.

So that’s the second thing – I want you to do something.

Before I get to the third thing, there’s something I have to do – something I’ve been dreading for a long time – you see, tonight I also have to say something else – I have to say “good-bye”. As many, but not all of you know, I accepted a new job at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I will be heading a new “web science” research center starting next year– a job I couldn’t possibly turn down. I will be leaving the University where I’ve worked for two decades, but that’s just a job, the house I’ve owned for about 15 years, but that’s just a house, and this synagogue, which isn’t just any old house – this place is something amazingly special

I’m standing on the bima where my daughter was named. This is the same stage on which I got to fill in a letter of the Torah that Beth Tikvah commissioned a long time ago, at that table right there is where I read Torah for the first time, and this is a stage on which the Cantor has performed songs written by both my wife and daughter – and that’s just the social hall – add the sanctuary, the school wing, and even the board room, and your talking about the place where my heart has truly been since Terry and I joined twenty one years ago. Leaving this very special place is the most difficult part of the move, and was the hardest part about the decision to go.

And that’s the real reason why I am willing to be here standing before you today – I want this to stay a special place! I want to come back for many Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s in the future, I want to be here when your children have their weddings and or when we have gather to mourn the passing of our loved ones. I want to come down to celebrate some of the future awards that are sure to come and I want to be here so that Terry and I can join you to celebrate future significant events in the lives of our Cantor, our Rabbi, and so many of you who truly are our family. I want this special place to continue to exist!

But for that to happen we need a third kind of your help. The things that make this such a special place are largely fueled by volunteers, but they could not happen without our incredible leadership, Susan Newman and the wonderful staff she heads up, and this incredible building which gives us the space to house all of the things I have been taking about tonight.

These all cost money, and they cost more than we can ask for in dues – it is your contributions that make it possible, and this is the night we have to ask for them. Because, although I’m my grandfather’s grandson, and I hate the fact that we have to ask for money on this night of prayer and penitence, the Rabbi made me see that there is something that I would hate far more, and that is for this to become “just another synagogue”

And, with your participation in our events, with your help bringing new members to join our wonderful family, and (Sorry Grandpa, Sorry Dad) with your financial contributions, and only with those things, that will not happen.

So, Shana Tova, And thank you all so much for all you do to make this place so very very very very special!