The world has been changing for some time, but the urgency of that change has become unmasked. We are currently engaged in a war for the future of worldwide Jewry. What happens now will effectively determine the level of security our children and grandchildren can expect to have in their lives. This is a long journey that’s not going to be easy and requires a gradual process of transformation; we cannot afford complacency.
During the High Holidays, there’s no doubt that many people will be soul searching, as well as engaging in intense prayer for a better year. People will be asking questions of themselves and others. One worth asking would be: What have I done today, what have I done this week, what have I done this month or this year to contribute?
In his famous inaugural address, former President John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It was a rallying cry for personal responsibility and individual action in service of the greater good. It would be wise to adopt this way of thinking concerning our challenges individually, communally and organizationally. The world has changed and so must we.
For generations, there has been no pressing need for aggressive, organized action. Things were “good enough.” But now, the realities of our world are demanding that people act in ways they’ve never been asked to act in their lifetime. It may be true that Jewish people are not accustomed to certain activities such as rallying, protesting, letter-writing and organizing, but it is not true that we can’t do them. What’s needed is to focus on the impact we can have when we choose to act. Nothing can replace the power of people. Time, energy and digital activity by each individual, and then the collective, is of paramount importance. This requires humility and the recognition that we are neither too high for certain tasks nor too low for others.
Let’s not worry about what the other side is doing but what we can do. Through online coordinated activity, offline coordinated activity and systematic efforts in creating ally-ship, we will overcome our enemies.
This isn’t just an individual responsibility. Community leaders—rabbis, synagogue presidents, social-media influencers, board members, educators and others—have a duty to step up in new ways. The roles of these leaders have changed, and they would be wise to adapt. They should consider that integral to their jobs’ responsibilities are constant outreach to other communities and the maintenance of those bonds. Alliances aren’t just about shared interests; they’re about building long-term relationships through shared experiences. As an example, in many cities, there are more houses of worship than synagogues. Why aren’t there more efforts towards working together more closely? These connections should be fostered through regular activities and collaborations that create lasting friendships.
Our community isn’t just the Jewish community; it’s everyone in our ZIP code. The Jewish community is a subset of a larger, diverse whole. The welfare of everybody in our geographical area should be of our concern. This shift in perspective is radical but necessary to begin acting and thinking differently. We are in a long-term war, and we must remember that the world has changed, so now it’s time for us to change with it.
Dolores Huerta, the labor leader of the United Farm Workers in the 1970s, famously said, Si se puede (“Yes, we can”). We can, too. We can coordinate. We can rally. We can unite. We can fight. We can advocate. We can educate, and we can build a better tomorrow.
