We do not have the luxury of assuming that Jews will feel engaged in the Jewish tradition just by experiencing a few inspiring programs. Jews must become self-directed translators of the Jewish tradition — for themselves and their peers. This means less focus on “experiences” and more focus on the building blocks of educational discovery. This is not about religious indoctrination. This is unlocking the power of Jewish heritage.
American culture supports so many forms of creativity and experimentation — but this rarely extends to Judaism. We believe that an education must include Shakespeare, Joyce and knowledge of the Civil War, yet not the Mishnah or Psalms. What would it take to promote a deep engagement with the building blocks of the Jewish tradition and to make this pursuit an acceptable pre- or post-college endeavor?
Elie Kaunfer, “The Real Crisis in American Judaism”, The Jewish Week (7 April 2010), 12.
Hatuna anasa ya kudhani kwamba Wayahudi watahisi kushiriki katika utamaduni wa Kiyahudi tu kwa uzoefu wa programu chache za kuhamasisha. Wayahudi lazima wawe watafsiri wa kidini wa mapokeo ya Kiyahudi <unk> kwa ajili yao wenyewe na wenzao. Hii ina maana ya kuzingatia kidogo juu ya "mazoezi" na kuzingatia zaidi juu ya vitalu vya ujenzi wa ugunduzi wa elimu. Hilo si suala la kuelimishwa kidini. Hii ni kufungua nguvu ya urithi wa Kiyahudi. Utamaduni wa Marekani inasaidia aina nyingi sana za ubunifu na majaribio <unk> lakini hii mara chache huenea kwa Dini ya Kiyahudi. """Tunaamini kwamba elimu lazima ijumuishe Shakespeare, Joyce na ujuzi wa Vita vya wenyewe kwa wenyewe, lakini sio Mishnah au Zaburi." Ni nini kinachohitajika ili kukuza ushiriki wa kina na vitalu vya ujenzi wa utamaduni wa Kiyahudi na kufanya utafutaji huu uwe juhudi inayokubalika kabla au baada ya chuo kikuu? "Elie Kaunfer, ""Mgogoro wa kweli katika Dini ya Kiyahudi ya Marekani,"" The Jewish Week (Aprili 7, 2010), 12."