Hebrew schools: Market solutions needed http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/hebrew-schools-market-solutions-needed/ A leader in the Jewish education field argues that an overlooked key to successful reform is offering families more choices. en-us aeden@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-07-08T;13:23:00-05:00 Comment by rm plotzker rmplotzker@pol.net Consumerism in Judaism lags far behind the notion of shopping in other parts of our culture.  In the last generation, committement of the Jewish public to synagogues, Federations, social organizations and even schools has declined disproportionately to the reduction in the American Jewish population.  While the leaders of these organizations often see membership or participation as their entitlement for carrying the banner of Judaism into the next generation, those sitting on the sidelines often function more in the consumer mode.  Joining a synagogue may cost $2000.  What do I get for it and is that the best way to spend that sum?  JCC or YMCA?  Depends whether my interest is swimming or Jewish adult Ed classes.  The Jewish public has shifted from patrons of Jewish organizations to purchasers of Jewish goods and services.  The leadership, which is often inbred to the point of emerging recessive genes bringing forth thinking out of the mainstream of the public they need to serve, seems to have a lot of trouble understanding this transition of Jewish culture and accomodating their organizations to it. rich the furrydoc Consumerism in Judaism lags far behind the notion of shopping in other parts of our culture.  In the last generation, committement of the Jewish public to synagogues, Federations, social organizations and even schools has declined disproportionately to the reduction in the American Jewish population.  While the leaders of these organizations often see membership or participation as their entitlement for carrying the banner of Judaism into the next generation, those sitting on the sidelines often function more in the consumer mode.  Joining a synagogue may cost $2000.  What do I get for it and is that the best way to spend that sum?  JCC or YMCA?  Depends whether my interest is swimming or Jewish adult Ed classes.  The Jewish public has shifted from patrons of Jewish organizations to purchasers of Jewish goods and services.  The leadership, which is often inbred to the point of emerging recessive genes bringing forth thinking out of the mainstream of the public they need to serve, seems to have a lot of trouble understanding this transition of Jewish culture and accomodating their organizations to it.

rich the furrydoc

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