It’s the last day of USY Poland-Israel Pilgrimage. We’re standing at Robinson’s Arch, at the egalitarian section of the Kotel. All 47 of us are there together, ready to daven Sunday Shacharit. The men have kippot, tallis and t’fillin. Some women wear a tallis. Before we start, I ask the women if anyone wants to wrap t’fillin — I’d be happy to share mine. Immediately, one girl shouts ‘I do!’ and others pledge theirs as well.
In a really moving and beautifully led service, all 47 of us pray together as one, each in our own way. I unwrap my t’fillin and hand it to one of the ladies. She wraps them and stands shoulder to shoulder with others, head pressed against the great stones once supporting the Holy Temple, davening with intense kavannah.
It’s such a moving scene — to see 42 USY’ers, Conservative Jews, taking on their role as young Jewish adults in such a reaffirming way. To see egalitarianism alive and thriving in Israel, at the Kotel of all places, is inspiring.
Are these youth outliers? Fundamentally different from all other American Jewish youth? Why, back home, are parents asking, ‘Why isn’t my kid Jewish?’
Studies like the Pew Report, and my own experience in the Minneapolis Jewish community, show that in increasing numbers young Jews don’t identify as Jewish. But there have been shining stars: Jewish summer camp and Israel experiences have been rightly heralded for creating knowledgeable Jews proud of their identity. Simply put: Jewish immersion.
For 1, 4, 8 weeks, Jewish youth at summer camps are pelted from all directions with tidbits of Judaism. Every action — eating, praying, playing sports — is infused with Judaism. Many campers don’t even realize that the words they sing in ruach are from our t’fillot.
So when Rabbis and communities ask how to bring the success of camp back into the community, the answer is the one they have the least control over — because the issue and the solution lies with parents.
It lies in the parents who drop children off at Hebrew school and then go to yoga. It lies in the parents that prioritize a football game over Shabbat dinner. It lies in the parents who took a break from Judaism at age 13 and forgot to come back 30 years later.
Judaism is a series of lessons and values that makes us better people. Shabbat teaches us the importance of family and the value of time. Kashrut teaches us to treat everything with respect and dignity. Prayer teaches us the value of community and personal reflection.
Parents — you don’t have to do all. Start small and choose one thing. Light the Shabbat candles. Bless your children before Friday dinner. Go to synagogue with them. By doing these things, you’re showing your children that you care about Judaism. Only then will it become important to them.