Arnie Eisen to Conservative rabbis: Yes we can
- Author: Ami Eden
- Filed under: Denominations
Feb 28,2008
Neil Rubin, editor of the Baltimore Jewish Times, reports on the appearance of Arnie Eisen, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, at the annual convention of Conservative rabbis — and offers plenty of his own advice:
While Conservative Judaism is in no danger of closing up shop, it must redefine and recapture its niche on the contemporary Jewish scene. Rest assured that if not inspired now, tomorrow a large percentage of the children and grandchildren of present-day Conservative Jews will be Jewish in name only.
For me, chief among the concerns is that Conservative congregations — entrenched in institutional leadership and programming — are struggling to make themselves relevant to large numbers of teens, young adults and young families.
Yes, there are efforts to stem this tide, including here. And yes, some people with children find deep purpose in synagogue life. (I’m one of them.) Yet the numbers in study after study speak for themselves.
Those surveys show that what works with younger Jews is volunteerism and social action.
Rubin says Eisen is on to the problem — the JTS chancellor acknowledged that the Reform and the Orthodox are light years ahead when it comes to political activism.
“Young people, feeling at home in their country, expect to have Judaism matter here and all over the world, and they are dismayed when it does not,” Eisen said. “We need to know that our community is active. We need to know that our people have maintained faith with [Judaism’s] compassion and righteousness.”
According to Rubin, Eisen went on to recall that many of the movement’s present-day leaders were “once inspired –– and driven to meaningful debate –– by JTS’ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s passionate embrace of civil rights and the Vietnam War protests.” If not for Heschel, “Many of us might not be here today.”
Rubin ended his column on a hopeful note:
If Dr. Eisen can succeed –– and it will take years –– the Conservative synagogue can again be a venue of debate with integrity, which leads to action. If that does not happen, Jews will continue to be at the forefront of social causes, as they have ever since Emancipation itself began in the late 1700s. But sadly, our synagogues will have missed a wonderful opportunity.
A good start, he urged, would be to simply pick one issue and make it the cause of Conservative Judaism. With all that faces our nation, how hard should that be?
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13 Responses for "Arnie Eisen to Conservative rabbis: Yes we can"
within a few decades hundreds of conservative shuls will close down due to lack of interest and lack of membes. the head of the jewish theological cemetery is trying to feminize and homosexualize the conservative rabbinate, this scheme either was originated in the kremlin or the kremlin wish they had originated it.
Actually Tzvi, what Dr. Eisen is trying to do is get these distractions out of the way and deal with the bigger issues. In another generation — 15-20 years — the critical mass of non-Orthodox Jews who don’t really care about the issues of homosexuality and feminism (meaning they accept them) will be larger than those who do (which skews older).
Since Orthodox and non-Orthodox will never agree on these issues, for reasons I totally understand, let’s just agree to disagree and get on with the real task of inspiring Jews to celebrate Shabbat and Torah study.
Remember my friend, unity is not uniformity.
And, of course, Shabbat Shalom.
Tzvi, I hope you’re proud of yourself for promoting the myth that Orthodox Jews are all bigoted close-minded freaks. Now that’s the way to inspire our fellow Jews! Great work.
Shabbat Shalom!
More than ever, the issue core lies in the fact that those of us who are dedicated to Humanity have not done enough for the War on Ignorance a prevailing factor for the entire human kind society and especially those running away from so-called prophets.
Yes, we need to unite and demand of the plitical leaders to do the same and not hide behind their so-calle political or religious parties,
for otherwise we’re going to lose the Youth and forthcoming generations to the conondrum of dilemmas. One of which is that there arae more and more deatisfied Christians who want to convert to Judasim or Budhism or even Hinduism only to get away from organized corporate-like religion milking the poor for donations only to build more golden domes.
Absolute truth and ethics should be part of the strategic educational efforts way beyond of the disaster that Bush and others have brought upon us lately. True, new orientations are in order, but anyway one looks at it “Dead Logic Deadens the Enemy” so-to-speak!
I am on Tzvi side. I emigrated from FSU and my Judaism grew up for many years in Conservative synagogue with very nice people. After disastrous decision about homosectuality I quit Conservative movement forever. Because I felt intuitively that with this compromise I would loose meaning of my believes.
That’s what, I think, happening with those who made compromises. There is only one Torah and one Judaisms, for mjdifications should be used other names.
What Concerned seems does not understand that he can’t get on or around these issues. That’s how miracuolously ways of G-d work.
America-born Jews need to analyze their past century experience and understand laws that brought them up and then down to their current poor situation. And then take corrective actions by those who want to survive as a Jew.
Yonatan, there is only one Torah, but millions of ways to interpret it. That’s why we have commentators. Conservative Judaism just offers a different interpretation. I’m glad you still have a spiritual home in Judaism, but please don’t disparage others along the way.
I don’t absolutely understand what G-d wants and am scared of people who think they do — because it means that they believe they can approach a true understanding of G-d, which is impossible.
If I ever looked for a blue ribbon example of Lashon ha Ra it is in the previous poster’s comment about Dr. Eisen’s family–whether or not it is true (I have no idea, and it isn’t my business, or anyone else’s).
I am disappointed that personal attacks, particularly characterizing uninvolved third parties, are permitted among the posts. Perhaps the poster would like to consider the consequences of a libel lawsuit, if the punishment for Lashon ha Ra is not quickly exacted.
I agree to an extent with Tzvi. The conservative movement is an assimiliation movement designed to help Jews transition from Judaism to Christianity. The bar/bat mitzva factories run by conservatives have turned off huge amounts of Jews to Judaism. The shuls are devoid of young Jews on Shabbat. Making conservative Judaism more politically liberal will not stop Jews from assimiliating, on the contrary more Jews will end up leaving Judaism whether they realise ths now or not.
The Conservative synagogues with which I’m acquainted in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions are vibrant and striving to meet the needs and interests of their members at various stages of life. The statement that “The conservative movement is an assimilation movement designed to help Jews transition from Judaism and Christianity suggests intent, if not conspiracy. It would be helpful to know what experiences Ellen has had that led her to these statements. To what cities or parts of the country does she refer? What empirical evidence can she provide?
Noach
first you attacked Tzvi now you put on an intellectual air to critique me.
The facts are over 50% of conservative Jews intermarry.
Fact huge numbers of conservative youngsters joined various mind control cults from the moonies to the hail bop comet nuts.
Fact many conservative ‘rabbis’ belong to what is in my opinion having read the website a neo nazi hamas front group called rabbis for human rights.
Fact several conservative temples within an hours drive from Mr Eisens office have shut their doors in the past 2 yrs and many more especially in Hudson county NJ will shut their doors this yr if Orthodox Jews dont take them over and reinvigerate the areas.
Fact a solomon shechter school in NJ went out of business as did a schecter school in Eisens backyard of manhattan.
Fact conservatives would rather spread their poison in israel and ruin Judaism there than use outreach in the usa and increase membership.
To say conservative synagogues are vibrant is a joke. Walking into a conservative synagogue is like walking into anold age home.
PS to see how conservatives are doing ask them how many bar/bat mitzvahs they had last yr compared to 30 yrs ago.
Conservative judaism is going the way of the dinosaurs!
and I say SHALOM!
Ellen, does it make you fee better to critique conservative Judaism this way? Do you feel good about bashing other Jewish groups? Perhaps you can find a place to bash reform, reconstructionist..and while you’re at it lets look for some other groups you are NOT a part of and bash them.
I for one (and yes, I’m one of the rabbis you rail against) do not want to spend my time finding ways to prove why any Jewish group is failing. No, I’m too busy because my conservative shul is growing at over 10% per year (no, we’re not in the northeast), torah classes are packed, children are learning in a growing day school and we literally cannot keep up with the growth. Yes, we also have many older persons but it sounds like you don’t value elders and my understanding of Torah tells me that I should honor those who have lived long years. No, I am not interested in finding fault with any movement because I’m much more interested in teaching mitzvot, observance, davening, and other Jewish values for those who are willing to come and learn. Thats what we Conservative rabbis do.
I pray you will turn your passion from criticism to passoion for Torah from whatever shul/movement/rabbi that you find meaningful. I believe you will find it much more satisfying.
Ellen,
Other than your dubious remarks that suggested an intent of the Conservative movement to facilitate Jews becoming Christians–and which you have not supported–your situation may be different than
“over 50% of conservative Jews intermarry.” What is the source of those statistics? Of the intermarriages, how many non-Jewish partners become Jewish?
“huge numbers of conservative youngsters joined various mind control cults from the moonies to the ‘hail (sic) bop comet nuts.” What constitutes “huge numbers?” What is the source of numbers that you call “huge?”
“many conservative ””rabbis’” belong to WHAT IS IN MY OPINION (emphasis supplied) having read the website a neo nazi hamas front group called rabbis for human rights (sic)” Your “fact” is undermined by what you admit to be your opinion. Have the ADL, either of the AJCs, World Jewish Congress, or AIPAC condemned or described Rabbis for Human Rights in terms similar to yours? Condemn the group, if you like, for being on the “left,” while you, rather obviously are on the “right.”
“several conservative temples within an hours drive from Mr Eisens (sic) office have shut their doors in the past 2 yrs and many more especially in Hudson county NJ will shut their doors this yr if Orthodox Jews dont (sic) take them over and reinvigerate (sic) the areas.”
First, it would be a matter of courtesy to properly identify Dr. Eisen. Second, the closing of the synagogues may point to nothing more than their members have moved to other areas for more attractive amenities.
“a solomon shechter (sic) school in NJ went out of business as did a schecter school in Eisens (sic) backyard of manhattan (sic).”
All this does is point to difficulties–demographic and/or operational– experienced by two schools. Nothing similar has happened to an Orthodox or Refom school? Assuming it did, would you agree that this was a sign of the imminent disappearance of the Orthodox or Reform?
“conservatives (sic) would rather spread their poison in israel sic) and ruin Judaism there than use outreach in the usa (sic) and increase membership.” Now you’re talking about theological disagreements, and reflecting poorly on whatever group you think is superior by your language. Does the term “sinat chinam” look familiar to you? Alternatively, “sinas chinam,” caused the destruction of the Temples. Are you helping to rebuild the Temple by your language?
“To say conservative (sic) synagogues are vibrant is a joke.” Sinas chinam.
“Walking into a conservative synagogue is like walking into anold (sic) age home.”
Where? In small towns or older sections of urban areas have you only seen the elderly in Conservative synagogues? Never Orthodox or Reform?
“PS to see how conservatives are doing ask them how many bar/bat mitzvahs they had last yr compared to 30 yrs ago.
Conservative judaism is going the way of the dinosaurs!
and I say SHALOM!”
You haven’t identified the areas where Conservative congregations are shrinking. As for Bat MItzvahs, originating in Reconstruction congregations, now you’ll find them in Orthodox congregations. Were it not for Reconstructionist and Conservative Jews, your gender would have less of a role in religious life.
Your ‘SHALOM!’” is l’klallah, vi lo l’vracha. What a shame.
May you devote your intellect and energies into building the Judaism that you find valuable, rather than tearing down those with whom you disagree.
David and Noach,
I will attempt to refute your comments and provide proof of my being correct.
as far as a 50% intermarriage rate. ALL Jewish groups admit to this. arguing over the 50% is a waste of time. it is like reinventing the wheel.
how many non-jews convert to judaism in an intermarriage. you have no idea what a great queation you asked. in fact about 20 yrs ago the mainstream ‘jewish’ orgs put out blatant lies stating that most intermarriages result in the goy becomming jewish. this may have been intended to trick future intermarrieds into becomming jewish BUT it had the opposite effect. in fact the overwhelming majority of intermarried jews do not raise their kids jewish. the jewish establishment in effect ran a disinformation campaign which did terrible harm to the jewish people.
you ask how many american jews joined cults. the numbers i have seen are about 100,000. a very interesting fact is how many cults have ties to foreign govts and why does the israeli controlled jewish establishment go along with this. for example the moonies are led by a former korean cia arms dealer. hare krishna by a pharmaceutical executive with ties to a foreign govt. etc. if the adl cared about jews why is it mute on this?
you ask about my opinion on rabbis for human rights and why the establishment does not criticize this group. i will answer a question with a question, why did not the jewish establishment complain about the holocaust while it was occurring yet these same groups have been whining about the holocaust non stop for the last 60 plus years? who knows what traitors run the jewish establishment?
once again to see the viability or future of a movement look at the birthrate of its members, conservative jews have less than 2 kids per couple, hardly a formula for increasing the tribe. when was the last time you heard a conservative rabbi say be fruitful and multiply to his/her congregation? probably never out of fear of alienating the birth control/abortion crowd.
you say your conservative shul is growing at 10% a yr is this from natural birthrate or from refugees from other parts of the country seeking warmer weather or lower housing prices?
saying that members moved from nj or ny and this is why shuls closed is not true. shuls closed because rabbis refuse to get off their asses and canvas door to door getting new members. i guess its easier for a rabbi to sit in an air conditioned office all day hoping the phone will ring and he/she can do a $400 funeral. the orthodox are growing in ny and nj even with their high rate of moving to israel. new yeshivas sprout up yearly. to say the conservative movement cant sustain a shechter school in manhattan is a shonda and arnie eisen should be ashamed.
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM CANNOT SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS IF IT CONTINUES TO SWEEP THEM UNDER THE RUG AND ATTACK MESSENGERS LIKE ME RATHER THAN FIXING THE PROBLEM.
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