Amid the endless talk of the “disappearing” American Jew and the decline in support for both Israel and the Jewish establishment, those still committed to the Jewish cause offer another voice.
“I come for the betterment of the State of Israel and to network and learn about how to help more Jewish causes,” Ernest Kresch, a 38-year-old doctor from Chattanooga, Tenn., said as he surveyed the sea of activity around him.
Kresch was one of 3,000 Jews between the ages of 25 and 45 who flew in from as far away as California, Texas and Georgia to attend last week’s Young Leadership Conference of the United Jewish Appeal here, making it the largest turnout since its first one 22 years ago.
Kresch is an active member of his local Jewish federation, but he said, “I’m still not as involved as I could be.”
For three days last week, doctors, lawyers, publishers, writers, bankers, and psychologists gathered together to talk spirituality (and mate-finding), politics (and mate-finding) and Jewish philanthropy (and mate-finding).
Kresch, who is single — and looking — echoed the view of many when he said he loved the singles aspects of the event, but wanted to be active in Jewish affairs even when he’s married.
“I will be involved with the United Jewish Appeal my whole life,” he vowed.
During the last two decades, the focus of the convention has changed in an attempt to reflect the trends and issues of the day. This year’s attendees seemed to be looking for one or both of the following: connection to the Jewish community through finding a Jewish spouse and/or through spiritual development; a connection to global and local Jewish causes through philanthropy.
“We believe that by building Jewish identity and community ties here, people are more likely to support Jewish causes,” said Joel Alperson of Nebraska, who co-chairs the UJA Young Leadership Cabinet.
In a session called “This Is Not Your Parents’ Philanthropy: Reimagining the Federation,” Robert Aronson, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, said, “We no longer want to separate religion from the federation system.”
The focus of American Jews is now less on emergency rescue and anti-Semitism and more on Jewish identity, continuity and education for the children, he said.
Jennifer Fox, 25, of Atlanta, Ga., said the ruach, or spirit, of the crowd inspired her — a newly observant Jew — to increase both her work in the community and her Torah study as well.
Participants came from across the religious spectrum. Many were curious about spiritual issues, judging by the number who crammed into the sessions devoted to religion, God and spirituality.
But one of the most popular sessions — attended by over 500 individuals — was a lecture by Esther Jungreis’ on “Jewish and Single: Looking for Same to Share Meaningful Life.”
“Rebbetzin Jungreis is my God!” 30-something Marvin Epstein of California said, referring to the charismatic speaker, author — and matchmaker — whose weekly sessions on the Upper East Side of Manhattan draw some 1,500 people.
“People spend their whole lives planning their careers, but they think that relationship is just going to come to them,” Epstein said.
Organizers estimated that about half of the attendees at this year’s UJA convention were single. But most came to connect in other ways as well.
Many were interested in learning about the state of Jewish giving to Israel, particularly in light of the conflict over religious pluralism in Israel and the response by many to withhold their usual donations.
In addition, many younger American Jews, who were born a few generations after the Holocaust and the birth of Israel — and who have experienced less anti- Semitism — no longer feel the same connection to Israel.
This in turn leads to a new focus both on the part of these Jews and by the federations.
In the session on “Reimagining the Federation,” Aronson of Detroit agreed, noting that Israel is longer the “automatic catchword” for campaigning for funds.
He said new programs must be developed by local federations to increase understanding and foster a greater sense of unity between Israeli and American communities.
Among the many sessions devoted to social, political and fund-raising issues, two sensitive issues came up: the role of women in organized Jewish life and American communities.
“Your economic standing should bear no effect on your right to become a Jewish leader,” veteran communal leader Shoshana Cardin said to the UJA participants. The UJA requires a donation of at least $3,600 or 10 percent of one’s annual salary in order to be considered for a Young Leadership Cabinet position.
In response to a question on the lack of women in high positions in the federation system, some men in the audience began shouting out the names of women in powerful posts.
“That makes around five out of a few hundred,” Cardin said. “I don’t know why women are not in higher ranks throughout the federation-UJA system, and I hope that will change.
“But understand that if you are thinking about becoming a Jewish leader, it entails many sacrifices that affect your family,” said Cardin, who has headed several major Jewish organizations.
Vice President Al Gore, one of the events keynote speakers, touched on the subject as well. The entire convention seemed to enjoy his “spiel” and his talmudic references. They cheered when he announced that there is no doubt that there will soon be a Jewish president of the United States.
And hundreds stood and roared as he finished his thought: “And she will be great.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
