In Brenda Katten’s article on this page “Is it just about money? (
The Jerusalem
Post, January 4, 2012) she suggests that Jewish Federation of North America’s
recent change in overseas allocation, to be reflected in the new Global Planning
Table (GPT), is a “clarion call for the Jewish Agency and other major Zionist
organizations based in Israel to take on what the Jewish Agency’s Jerusalem
Program originally set out to do: namely give the Diaspora the tools to fight
both assimilation and the anti-Israel hysteria taking hold....” She focuses on
the college campus as one of the main battlefields where Israel is not only
losing support of the Jewish students but finding that some of them are being
attracted to our enemies.
While one can debate the reasons for what has
been a gradual move toward the current GPT framework, the premise that today’s
major challenge facing the Jewish people is one of identity and securing the
Jewish future is at the core of the Jewish Agency’s new major investment in
Israel experiences.
We couldn’t agree more with the author that today’s
imperative is to ensure that the global Jewish community comes together, in a
serious, collective effort, to tackle the greatest challenge of our time. We are
losing Jews at a dangerous pace, not only through assimilation but through a
cognizant distancing from things Jewish and from Israel. It is true that many
young people today see Israel as an embarrassment and their own peoplehood as a
burden. This dangerous trend has to be stopped.
As it has done throughout
its history, the Jewish Agency has confronted the most urgent challenges of the
Jewish people, first establishing the state, then settling the land, building
the country’s infrastructure and bringing in millions of
immigrants. Today, that challenge is to ensure the symbiotic and close
relationship between Israel and the Diaspora.
IT IS not only in Israel’s
interest that this connection remains strong; the global Jewish community
benefits as well. Multiple studies have clearly demonstrated that a connection
to Israel generates greater feelings of Jewish self-esteem and
community. Those who participate in an Israel experience such as
Birthright and the Jewish Agency’s Masa Israel Journey are overwhelmingly more
likely to remain active in Jewish life, and become the future leaders of the
Jewish community.
Consider the following: A recent two-year study by Jack
Wertheimer, commissioned by the Avi Chai Foundation, showed that about 56
percent of younger Jewish leaders (under 40) of all types have participated in
long-term programs (generally Masa). When one looks at the research conducted in
the 2010 study: “Journeys to Israel: The Impact of Longer-term Programs upon
Jewish Engagement and Israel Attachment” by Steven M. Cohen and Ezra Koplowitz,
the impact of participating in long-term Israel experiences is
significant.
It is not hard to reach the conclusion that if so many young
people have the Israel experience that so dramatically impacts their lives –
some 10,500 young people are in Israel each year for extended periods on Masa
programs – then we are witnessing a major shift in the longterm Jewish identity
equation.
For example, when asked in the “Journeys to Israel” study if
being Jewish is important, the affirmative responders went from 54% after one
short-term program like Birthright to 79% after a short-term program and a Masa
program.
Asked if it is important to marry someone Jewish, the numbers
rose from 31% to 66%. When asked if considering a Jewish career the numbers went
from 12% to 45% and when asked if they had recently volunteered with a Jewish
organization, the numbers rose from 28% to 64%. By any standard, we’re
looking at a game changer.
Bringing young Jews to Israel for meaningful
encounters is at the core of the Jewish Agency’s activities today. These young
people will become our future community leaders. Many will make aliya.
But bringing Israel to Jews around the world is the second side of the same
coin.
With thousands of young Israeli
shlichim (emissaries) sent to
communities around the world, the authentic Israel is delivered straight to the
heart of Diaspora communities. One such program, in cooperation with Hillel: the
Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, is the Jewish Agency’s Israel Fellows to
Hillel program.
Fifty young Israelis are posted at college campuses
across North America to strengthen the standing of Israel on university
campuses, bringing their firsthand perspectives on Israel directly to tens of
thousands of Jewish students each year, through peer relationships, organized
trips, cultural events, education and advocacy.
They serve as Israel’s
unofficial peer ambassadors on campus and in the local community, providing
opportunities for students to discuss and experience every aspect of Israeli
life, organizing thoughtful advocacy initiatives when Israel is getting a raw
deal in its public perception, bridging the gap between Israel – fact and
fiction – and inspiring students to forge enduring commitments to
Israel.
The Jewish people won’t solve all our major challenges in one
stroke – we never have. This is why it’s critically important today to build a
cadre of thousands of young leaders who will do our work, in keeping our people
alive and flourishing, from generation to generation. That’s our agenda. We are
committed to building this cadre, and we know from independent studies that
we’re already succeeding.
The writer is director of communications in
North America for the Jewish Agency for Israel. Currently on shlichut in New
York, he made aliya in 1988 and is a Lt.-Col. in the IDF reserves.