Lowering The Bar Not The Answer

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While I commend innovative attempts to engage less affiliated 20s/30s in Jewish life (“High Holidays For Millennials But Far From Shul,” Sept. 18) and have spent my career doing the same, we have to consider not simply what will attract millennials for a one-time High Holiday service, but what will keep them coming back. 

Offering free services, dumbing down the content, having barbecues, karaoke and even removing God’s name from the prayers, may all draw in less-affiliated millennials for a one-off service, but I wonder how many return for much else. Jews in their 20s and 30s are a well-educated group who appreciate substance and also have a sense when something is being so diluted it that it lacks authenticity, something young people want at least as much as barbecues and karaoke.

editor@jewishweek.org

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