The Future Needs of Reform Congregations: The Youth

Youth & Future Generations: Challenges and Potential Solutions

Introduction

As an African-American Christian who has found a spiritual home in a Reform synagogue, I have come to deeply appreciate both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Reform congregations. This essay, the third in a four-part series, focuses on the evolving needs of Jewish youth and the importance of addressing these needs to secure the future of Jewish communities.

To ensure the long-term survival and vitality of Reform congregations, we must create dynamic spaces where Jewish youth feel seen, heard, and engaged. This means addressing declining participation, combating misinformation, and reimagining Jewish education for the modern era. A vibrant Jewish future depends on the next generation feeling connected to their heritage, empowered by their identity, and confident in their place within the broader world.

Yet, as many parents and community leaders recognize, participation in Jewish life is shifting. According to the 2021 Pew Research Study on Jewish Americans, only 52% of young Jewish adults (18-29) say being Jewish is very important to them, compared to 80% of those over 65. This generational gap underscores the urgency of strengthening Jewish identity for the future. Addressing these challenges is not simply about sustaining institutions—it is about preserving a living, breathing tradition that continues to inspire, shape, and uplift future generations.

Youth & Future Generations: Challenges and Potential Solutions

“When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’” — Joshua 4:21

Ensuring that Jewish youth see the synagogue as a sacred and welcoming space—and a place they genuinely want to be—is essential to the long-term survival of any Jewish congregation. However, more young Jews today are questioning their connection to Judaism. The question, “What does it mean to be Jewish?” is both deeply personal and a communal challenge for the decades ahead.

Imagine being a Jewish college student walking across campus, only to encounter posters blaming Israel for genocide, protests calling for the destruction of the Jewish state, and classmates questioning whether you “stand with oppression.” Many Jewish students today are experiencing this reality firsthand. Faced with hostility and misinformation, some choose to hide their Jewish identity rather than confront the storm.

A 2023 survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that nearly 50% of Jewish students reported experiencing antisemitism on campus. Additionally, studies show that students exposed to biased or one-sided education on Israel are more likely to distance themselves from their Jewish identity. Without a strong foundation in historical truth, young Jews will enter college unequipped to challenge misinformation.

As an African-American Christian, I see clear parallels between this struggle and the experiences of Black youth facing discrimination. In the Black community, we recognized that knowing our history was key to developing self-respect and resilience. Learning about the achievements, struggles, and contributions of Black leaders gave us the confidence to stand tall in the face of prejudice.

Jewish youth need the same foundation. Between high school and college, they will grapple with questions of identity and be confronted with distorted portrayals of their people and history—often shaped more by media bias and campus activism than by historical truth. A well-rounded Jewish education must provide the historical, political, and cultural context necessary for young Jews to engage thoughtfully with the world.

A Course on Israel and Jewish History: More Important Than Ever

One of the most effective ways to prepare Jewish youth for the challenges they will face is through a dedicated course on the history of Israel and the Middle East.

Why is this necessary?

Because most students will not receive an objective, well-rounded education on these topics in school or the media.

• High school curricula often present a one-sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reducing it to simplistic narratives.
• College campuses have become hotbeds of misinformation, where Israel is demonized and Jewish students are pressured to disavow their connection to it.
• Social media spreads anti-Israel propaganda, making it difficult for students to discern fact from fiction.

To counter this, synagogues and Jewish institutions must take the lead by teaching historical accuracy and critical thinking, equipping young Jews with the knowledge and confidence to stand up for their identity.

Key Challenges and Strategies

1. Changing Views on Religion

• Religious observance is declining among younger generations in many faiths, not just Judaism.
• Skepticism toward organized religion leaves Jewish youth less inclined to pursue formal rituals or education.

2. Intermarriage & Less Traditional Upbringing

• With interfaith marriages becoming more common, some children grow up in households where Judaism is practiced less traditionally or blended with another faith.

3. Secularization & Competing Interests

• Modern life offers countless distractions—academic, recreational, digital.
• Sustaining a strong Jewish identity can be difficult when so much competes for a teenager’s attention.

4. Disillusionment with Institutions

• Some young Jews view traditional synagogue practices as rigid or outdated.
• Many synagogues cater primarily to older adults, making younger members feel out of place.

5. Cultural Identity Over Religious Practice

• Many Jewish youth connect more with cultural or ethnic aspects of Judaism—food, history, and social justice—rather than with religious services.

Potential Consequences of Inaction

• Weakening of Jewish Community
• Erosion of Jewish Identity
• Increased Vulnerability to Antisemitism
• Threat to Long-Term Continuity

What We Can Do: Solutions & Strategies

1. Youth-Led Services & Events

• Encourage teens to design their own Shabbat or holiday experiences, making services more engaging and meaningful.

2. Service & Social Action Projects

• Engage teens in tikkun olam (repairing the world) to deepen their sense of Jewish identity through social justice initiatives.

3. Innovative Learning Programs

• Offer hands-on education (cooking demos, cultural festivals, historical field trips) to show how Judaism intersects with everyday life.

4. Safe Spaces for Exploration

• Create discussion groups or online forums where teens can ask questions about faith and identity without judgment.

5. Incorporate Technology

• Utilize virtual communities (WhatsApp, Discord, Zoom) to make synagogue life accessible to busy or distant teens.

Examples in Practice

Concurrent Youth Shabbat

• A teen-led service in a separate space, allowing for experimentation and ownership of Jewish traditions.

Mentorship & Community Building

• Pair teens with older members—a “grandfriend”—to share skills, stories, and experiences, fostering intergenerational bonds.

Looking Ahead: Balancing Tradition & Innovation

The survival of Reform congregations does not depend on preserving traditions exactly as they have always been, but rather on making those traditions meaningful to the next generation. By investing in education, embracing innovation, and empowering young people to lead, we ensure that Judaism remains not just a religion of the past, but a living, evolving faith that speaks to the hearts of future generations.

The Jewish story is still being written, and it is our responsibility to ensure that today’s youth will have the knowledge, confidence, and connection to continue writing it.