Recognizing that the young hold the key to “The Future of our Community,” Valley Beit Midrash hosted a panel discussion with that very title in mid-December at Mozart Café in Scottsdale.
The event, one of a series of discussions coordinated by Valley Beit Midrash, was facilitated by Arizona Jewish Life Contributing Editor Leni Reiss. Panelists were Eddie Lange, the founding president of Congregation Or Tzion; Josh Wertlieb, founding member of the Young Jewish Funders of Arizona; and Debbie Yunker Kail, executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University.
VBM Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz explains that the mission of Valley Beit Midrash is to improve the quality of Jewish life here by facilitating conversation and collaboration and cultivating the next generation of Jewish leaders in a variety of Valley-wide programs.
“Rabbi Shmuly deserves a lot of credit for recognizing we need to rely on the younger cohort,” says Reiss. “He is trying to give them every opportunity to assume leadership. “All of the young people on the panel have assumed leadership in professional and volunteer roles.”
The panelists discussed the current state of affairs in their respective Jewish communities and focused on sharing ideas on how everyone can better understand one another’s needs as well as finding ways to work together.
“People are searching for guidance, spirituality,” says Lange. “They are looking for meaningful opportunities to get involved. They want to make a difference – they want to feel their donations and money are well spent.”
“It was important for the three of us to come together with our community on the issue of college age through people in their 40s and young families, because the people represented in these age demographics are truly the future of our community,” says Kail. “If we could actually find ways to bridge these transitions – from high school to college, from college to the professional or graduate school world, and from being single to having a young family, our community will be closer knit and higher functioning.”
Bringing people together is a pathway to building a brighter tomorrow for everyone involved and is a much needed outlet to facilitate discussion and possible change.
“The young leaders in our community have not always felt heard, and this evening was another attempt to broaden our collective perspectives on what matters most in our community,” says Rabbi Shmuly. “Young Jews in our community are starving for community that will search for meaning and flourish in life.”
During his panel presentation, Wertlieb spoke passionately about projects he is involved with. He talked about Moishe House, which, since its June 2013 opening, continues to connect Jewish young adults through monthly social and educational programming.
“Attracting people to events is one of the keys to a vibrant Jewish community,” he says. “If people get to know each other through their diverse interests,” he says the community will benefit from resulting relationships.
Wertlieb says one of the most important things a person can do is to be present. “Make connections. This has not been this community’s strong suit, but it’s easy, free and can pay huge dividends. This applies to both professionals and laypeople.”
Having been involved in the local and national Jewish organizational world for many years, Reiss was encouraged by the impressive turnout for the event, but she emphasizes that creating a vibrant community for the future requires engagement and education.
“It is one thing for the Pew Study to report that 92% of American Jewry is proud to be Jewish. But the goal for all of us who care is to commit to the growth of an educated, flourishing, meaningful Jewish life,” she says. Referring to American Jews who are not knowledgeable about either religion or Jewish practices, she adds, “Making inroads to that population in all age groups would make all the difference, not only locally but worldwide. That is the challenge.”
Rabbi Shmuly says Valley Beit Midrash will continue to sponsor conversations that target different populations and issues. He hopes those conversations will provide both the energy and clarity to move the community forward.
“There is a lot to be optimistic about,” says Rabbi Shmuly. “Together we can make Greater Phoenix the strongest Jewish community in the country.”
