The Jewish community thrives when we come together, yet too often, we hesitate to collaborate. Whether due to institutional concerns or fears of losing members, many organizations operate in silos, believing that exclusivity is the best way to maintain engagement. However, this approach may be holding us back more than it is helping us move forward.
Jewish professionals?educators, clergy, and administrators?spend countless hours building relationships with their members, offering support in times of need and celebration in moments of joy. Their dedication creates the foundation of strong communities. Yet, many of these same communities struggle with the capacity to provide the diverse and robust programming they aspire to offer.
Recent years have highlighted the pressures placed on Jewish professionals, with many expressing feelings of burnout as they strive to meet evolving needs. At a time when the Jewish community faces pressing challenges, collaboration may be one of our most powerful tools?not only for preserving engagement but for strengthening the next generation of Jewish life.
A Model for Partnership: The Jewish Learning Experience
This year, I have had the privilege of witnessing communities come together in inspiring ways through the Jewish Learning Experience. This program has facilitated partnerships across the country, enabling high school students to participate in high-level Jewish learning while earning college credit.
From a long-standing partnership between Reform and Conservative synagogues in El Paso to a city-wide cohort in Portland led by a Conservative rabbi, to collaborative efforts in New York and Chicago, communities have recognized a key reality: they cannot always do it alone. Whether due to staffing limitations or low enrollment numbers, these communities saw the bigger picture?offering teens the chance to engage deeply in Jewish learning far outweighed the risks of collaboration.
Rabbi Gary Oren, Senior Rabbi at Shaarie Torah in Portland, affirms this sentiment: ?In a small Jewish community like ours, it is critical to reach as many teens as possible to foster a vibrant and enduring future.?
A Tradition of Communal Learning
Beyond logistical advantages, communal learning is deeply embedded in Jewish tradition. Our heritage values the exchange of ideas, the power of discussion, and the strengthening of identity through shared experience. By working together, we enrich our students? Jewish journeys, offering them access to a wider network of educators, peers, and perspectives.
Rabbi Rena Rifkin, Director of Youth Education at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City, highlights the impact of this model: ?Having a variety of communities represented enriches the conversation happening in class each week and makes the concept of Am Yisrael come to life while exploring it on paper.?
At a time when external challenges threaten Jewish continuity, we must ensure that our own reluctance to collaborate is not another obstacle. By embracing partnership, we expand opportunities, strengthen engagement, and ensure that Jewish learning remains vibrant, relevant, and accessible to the next generation.
If you are interested in strengthening your community through the Jewish Learning Experience and teen engagement, we?d love to connect with you. Contact us to learn how we can support your efforts and create meaningful opportunities together.
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