The ‘we’ generation and the Jewish community

The ‘we’ generation and the Jewish community

My full disclosure upfront: This is written as an observer and participant over a few decades, without research on patterns and trends.

In fact, one of the challenges facing the South African Jewish community is that we are so under-researched, mostly responding to ‘gut feelings’ and hunches; yet we could be so much more strategic if we did invest resources in research. This article focuses on the Jewish young adult sector. I am an optimist, encouraged by what I see. In my opinion the ‘ME’ generation is being overtaken by the ‘WE’ generation, which will add tremendous value to a challenging world; and the by- product will hopefully be connected and concerned Jews. Many young adults I interact with care deeply about things.

They are shaped by social media and are advocates for social justice. Opportunities to become global citizens are coming at a fast pace — with the click of a button you can connect with others like you or unlike you — a cyber world that can sweep you off your feet. Being global citizens means that young adults can immerse themselves in challenging environments and bridge divides. Sacrifices and selflessness are not descriptions they aspire to, but they will do whatever it takes to make a difference. At the same time, their Jewish identity is defined by tradition and history, but there are dichotomies due to their context: the extent of their knowledge versus personal meaning; Israel with its highs and lows versus its centrality to their lives; and their feelings of connection versus alienation.

A minyan in Khayelitsha
I believe that in a way, this is a direct product of a fractured South Africa. Democracy is about choice. Young adults are voting with their feet, getting involved in a serious way in a wide range of sectors around them. It once struck me that there is more than a daily minyan in Khayelitsha, where young Jewish adults are going into townships every day to work in the field, all with the dedication to build a better society. Social entrepreneurship has evolved beyond the NGO sector, and many Jewish young adults are making their mark and influencing a generation. For many, employment choices reflect altruism.

Why not in our Jewish community? Our young adults are working in research, the environment, social action and community development. In medicine some have chosen to be activists; and law is being utilised as a framework to tackle challenges. Some of the initiatives I have come across includes mentorship and tutoring projects; and volunteering in areas such as the education and housing crises, which involve huge amounts of time, commitment and dedication. Campus activities and politics consume students who are trying to take on and defend positions, against all odds. Youth movement leadership is an all-year-round investment with the aim of igniting identity, crafting a social space, developing a passion for experiential learning, and connecting with Israel. Interfaith programmes stretch our youth beyond their comfort zones, creating a new generation of integrated Jews.

The few young adult initiatives that have emerged here are mostly imported or take place outside of the community. No wonder models like the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, Limmud South Africa, the Mini-Nachum Goldmann Fellowship and the Schusterman Foundation have taken root here — because we are thin on the ground when it comes to young adult Jewish innovation.

Innovating from within
Our organised community, albeit extremely well-structured, has not had a major ‘face lift’ in generations. We have failed to meaningfully nurture innovation, allocate adequate budgets or prioritise the needs of young adults, or incentivise them towards excellence. We fail to notice what is staring us in the face — over and again our Jewish young adults excel at something that engenders a public profile, and we don’t headhunt these ambassadors to partner with us or do the same for our community. The Mail & Guardian features 200 prolific young South Africans and there are always a few Jewish names included. Graduates of our Jewish day schools, youth movements and campus leadership produce talented and dedicated people who are not being ‘captured’ by our community.

We view challenging, engaging or questioning with disdain rather than the excitement that someone cares enough to invest in dialogue or argument; that these people are worth investing in. I want our community to wake up and take notice of our children — the next generation. We need to throw money at them. Let’s steer young adults towards us rather than accuse them of going astray. Let’s embrace each of these gems and attract them to innovate from within. The challenge of the community is to offer options on their terms. Support their endeavors with pride; incentivise them, offer scholarships and launch ‘idea banks’ to enrich our community. Diversity can be framed in a positive way that acknowledges a natural progression of our community to welcome change.

There is strength in diversity. We are relevant as a community when we understand the needs of each generation and don’t mould them into what we want them to be; but embrace who they are as partners, invested in a future that they want. Let’s create a pilot project for change, designed across constituencies, that is adequately resourced and sets new benchmarks. Viv Anstey is the Director of the Midrasha Adult Education Institute, which runs the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning; a co-founder of Limmud South Africa, first Director of the SA Jewish Museum and an executive member of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Cape Council.