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

THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE (ESTABLISHED BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL). Alternative Futures for the Jewish People. Dr. Dov Maimon. כ' אב תשע"ד 16.08.2014. THE JEWISH PEOPLE BETWEEN THRIVING AND DECLINE.

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

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  1. THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE(ESTABLISHED BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL) Alternative Futures for the Jewish People Dr. Dov Maimon כ' אב תשע"ד16.08.2014

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

  3. 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 Strategy Resources

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

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

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

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

  8. Pre-National State Pre-modern State The ethno-religious community is the primary frame of reference Community Individual

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

  10. The Enclave Reaction • Cultural fortress • Social segregation dominant culture Community • Low coercion power • Personal choice Individual

  11. Alternative Futures Methodology

  12. Alternative Futures: Drivers • External Drivers • Geopolitics • Global Society • Global Economy • Global Demography • Global Cultures • Science & Technology

  13. Alternative Futures: Drivers • Jewish “Momentum” • Leadership • Identity • Israel–Diaspora Relations • Hard and Soft Power • Demography • Economics

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

  15. External Conditions negative Jewish Momentum high External Conditions positive DEFENDING THRIVING Orthodox USA ISRAEL France Iran DRIFTING NIGHTMARE Jewish Momentum low

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

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

  18. Jewish Demography USA-CANADA EUROPE 42% 9% FSU 3% ISRAEL 42% LATIN AMERICA 3% 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

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

  20. 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

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

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

  23. 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").

  24. 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?

  25. What could be done at the local level? Local initiatives

  26. Emergent New CommunitiesHow do they overcome the negative stereotypes?

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

  28. 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

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

  30. LEADER PROFILE • Jewishly well-educated • Highly affiliated upbringing • Strong Israel experience • Strong networks • Transnational experience • Hebrew familiarity

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

  32. First insight: Oldforms of belonging are not relevant anymore to the majority of youngJews FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH Implication: We need to enlarge and diversify the offerings of Jewish engagement

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

  34. Third insight: We do not know whatwillbe the meaningfulways of belongingtomorrow FINDINGS FROM FIELD RESEARCH Implication:Weneed to providespace to allowyoung people to pursuetheirownpersonaljourneys to Judaism

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

  36. 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.

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

  38. 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

  39. 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.

  40. 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 JosuahHeschel

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