כ"ב תשרי תשע"וכ"ב תשרי תשע"וכ"ב תשרי תשע"ו Dr. Dov Maimon Alternative Futures for the Jewish People THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE (ESTABLISHED BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL)

THE JEWISH PEOPLE BETWEEN THRIVING AND DECLINE The future of the Jewish people is not assured, though there are great opportunities for thriving…. Serious threats Massive resources StrategyRequired

MAJOR CHALLENGES Triangular Relationship Israel-Washington-World Jewry Global Actors’ Shift – from USA to Asia New Modes of Jewish Engagement Israel-Diaspora Distancing Networking of Small Communities Threats Resources Strategy

Planning for the Jewish People? Simulations Scenarios  ANALYSIS  IMAGINATION  STRATEGY SWOT Trends Indicators Recommendations Consensus building

1.Historical perspective 2. Alternative futures methodology 3.The 21 st century identity challenges 4.Findings from field research 5.What could be done? THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE (ESTABLISHED BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL)

Historical Perspective THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE (ESTABLISHED BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL)

Jews Poles Germans Russians Pre-national identities Ethnicity is the primary belonging

Pre-National State Individual The ethno- religious community is the primary frame of reference

Modern National State State citizenship is the primary frame of reference Individual The community lost its prerogatives/coercion power The State replaces the Religious Community as the primary frame of reference

The Enclave Reaction 1. Cultural fortress 2. Social segregation Individual Low coercion power Personal choice

Alternative Futures Methodology

Alternative Futures: Drivers External Drivers 1.Geopolitics 2.Global Society 3.Global Economy 4.Global Demography 5.Global Cultures 6.Science & Technology

Alternative Futures: Drivers Jewish “Momentum” 1.Leadership 2.Identity 3.Israel–Diaspora Relations 4.Hard and Soft Power 5.Demography 6.Economics

Defending Thriving External conditions Jewish “Momentum” Dying Drifting Diaspora Scenarios Acceptance Self-Isolation Assimilation Open Judaism

DEFENDING NIGHTMARE DRIFTING External Conditions negative External Conditions positive Jewish Momentum low Jewish Momentum high THRIVING Orthodox FranceIran USA ISRAEL

Jewish Concerns High General Concerns High Jewish Concerns Low Shaping Strategy High Profile in Jewish and Israel advocacy issues High Profile in general population concerns (local hunger, illiteracy, Tikkun Olam) Hedging Strategy High Profile in Jewish and Israel advocacy issues Low Profile in general population concerns Low profile Strategy Low Profile in Jewish and Israel advocacy issues Low Profile in general population concerns Assimilation Strategy Low Profile in Jewish and Israel advocacy issues High Profile in general population concerns General Concerns Low Communal positioning

Jewish Identity Challenges THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE (ESTABLISHED BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL)

42% 9% 3% 3% 42% FSU USA-CANADA LATIN AMERICA EUROPE ISRAEL OTHERS 2% 95% of Jews live in the wealthiest countries 52% of Jews live in five urban areas Israel as the largest community Small communities disappear Jewish Demography

Non-Jews with Jewish Roots Enlarging the Jewish circle Core community Enlarged Community

Major Trends  Numerical decline  Internal Demographic Shifts Haredi and Israeli high birth rates  Multiple identities: “ Studying Talmud and eating lobster on Friday night ”  Believing without belonging  Modular Family models  Polarity: Ghetto and Assimilation

Jewish Peoplehood Belonging Tikkun Olam Meaning Religious Secular Culture Israel Community Meaning creation Rituals Historical/Parental Memory Modern Jewish identity Exclusive club Mutual caring Common purpose Action driven Authentic experience Bring together similarly minded I&D Jews Kabbala/ Talmud Human relations Family education Culture dissemination Expertise sharing Hebrew Emotion drive Charismatic leaders Redefined God In-world purposes

What sorts of things turn People away? FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH

What sorts of things turn People away? Negative connotations and stereotypes Burden associated with coercion, emotional blackmail, collective duty. Duty to marry Jewish, to support Israel, to contribute... Communal management Mega-donors saga, ego driven power struggles, old boys club, parochialism, Internal Jewish divisions, lack of unity. Bad image of Israel ('not in my name").

Negative connotations and stereotypes Communal institutions Insular and unwelcoming. Lack of entry points to feel Jewish without conforming to the existing norms. Ethnic in-group ties perceived as “politically incorrect". Being particularistic is perceived as chauvinistic and outdated. Don't want to be separated Will to be away from the ghetto, insularity and self righteousness defense attitudes. Judaism is a religion and young people are disgust with religion Are these findings relevant in my JCC?

What could be done at the local level? Local initiatives

Emergent New Communities How do they overcome the negative stereotypes?

CREDO, PRACTICES AND CONTENT Inclusive, egalitarian, and non exclusively Jewish Religious traditionalism and social progressivism (LGBT) Acting Jewishly for non-Jewish causes (Tikkun Olam)

CREDO, PRACTICES AND CONTENT Not obsessed by Shoah memory, Israel advocacy and Jewish survival Exodus liberation and covenant of Sinai narratives Universal (non-tribal) shared memories  A positive content driven Judaism

Strong social ties and mutual caring community High personal investment and frequent attendance Significant weeklong and shared activities Warm communities with a common credo GROUP DYNAMICS

LEADER PROFILE 1.Jewishly well-educated 2.Highly affiliated upbringing 3.Strong Israel experience 4. Strong networks 5.Transnational experience 6.Hebrew familiarity

What could be done at the global level? Israel-Diaspora initiatives

First insight: Old forms of belonging are not relevant anymore to the majority of young Jews Implication: We need to enlarge and diversify the offerings of Jewish engagement FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH

Second insight: Most breakthrough Jewish ways of engagement were created by outsiders Implication: We need to encourage new initiatives and overcome Jewish establishment resistance FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH

Third insight: We do not know what will be the meaningful ways of belonging tomorrow Implication: We need to provide space to allow young people to pursue their own personal journeys to Judaism FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH

Fourth insight: Lack of relevant positive content Implication: Israel-Diaspora partnership to develop a common and shared core of meaning and behaviors (such as Hebrew, J. Literacy and world service) FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH

Cultural shifts and the JCC Jewish Exclusively Jewish? Israel or Peoplehood? Jewish content? Community Community building and ethnic ties being perceived as “politically incorrect“, should C stand for “Cultural” instead of ‘Community”? Pick and mix or membership? Center JCC without walls. Do we need specific premises? Efforts should be invested in activities not in real estate.

Responding to JCC’s Challenges Responding to population relocation  Consider a financial engineering toolbox to allow real estate relocation

Responding to JCC’s Challenges JCC competitive advantage: A politically and religiously neutral ground Implications: Non-denominational weekly Torah study lessons, with lecturers from orthodox, reform, conservative and secular backgrounds. Brainstorming sessions for communal debates Space for young adults breakthrough initiatives Non-denominational services Post BirthRigth-Taglit programs

To be followed… I will hopefully provide you with additional insights at our concluding session. Please share with me your perspectives. And of course… Comprehensive strategic analysis and concrete recommendations will request an in-depth JPPI study.

Just remember “Religion declined not because it was refuted but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive and insipid. The synagogue must be the place where we confront the most profound questions of existence” Abraham Josuah Heschel