Posted By Gary Rosenblatt
Senior Moments / Gary Rosenblatt in New York
Amid all the kvetching (including my own) about the fear of losing disengaged young Jews, so many of whom show little concern for Israel and affiliating with American Jewish organizations, let us offer a word of praise for their parents and, more likely, grandparents who make up the majority of attendees at so many mainstream Jewish events.
These thoughts come to mind after attending an all-day conference on Sunday at the East Midwood Jewish Center in Brooklyn. More than 350 people turned out for the program, titled “Can We Talk About Israel? Enhancing The Dialogue,” sponsored by The Institute for Living Judaism in Brooklyn and the Hadassah Brooklyn Region.
The majority of attendees were senior citizens, and while they were slow to navigate the stairs, they were quick with their questions and comments.
At the session I addressed, on Jewish journalism, they were knowledgeable and engaged on the issues, and their concern about future generations was palpable.
When I asked how many read The Jewish Week, nearly every hand went up.
Where are their grandchildren? They shrug and acknowledge that young people today have other interests, especially on a lovely Sunday morning.
Jewish groups are right to focus on attracting younger people, but Sunday’s impressive event was a reminder that the backbone of the active and organized community are those who remember and remain touched by the Holocaust and the creation and struggles of the State of Israel. Our challenge is to find new and positive reasons for younger Jews to continue to engage.