The Next 25 Years – A Vision for the Jewish People’s Future

As we enter 2025, the Jewish people face a defining question: What does our future look like in 25 years? The choices we make today shape our global community for years to come. We must act boldly, guided by the enduring values that have sustained us for millennia, while proactively confronting the challenges – such as violence and antisemitism – that too many Jews face daily. Here are key areas we must focus on to ensure the Jewish people stand just as strong, if not stronger, in 2050.

Preserving Jewish Identity

Institutions play a critical role, but it is the home that serves as the birth of Jewish life. Families are the first guardians of our faith, and it is within the walls of our homes that the seeds of Jewish pride and continuity are planted. Traditions like Shabbat dinners, lighting candles, and telling our ancestors’ stories weave a powerful tapestry of connection and belonging.

These rituals teach our children who we are and why our heritage matters. As I wrote in a recent article – “One Shabbat at a time, we can become guardians of the Jewish future” – it is in these sacred moments that we pass down values that sustain us as a people.

Preserving Jewish identity doesn’t stop at tradition, though; it requires intentional action. Every family has the power to inspire pride in Judaism by making it a living, breathing part of daily life. Through small but meaningful acts, we can ensure that our children not only inherit our traditions but embrace them as their own and continue them for generations to come.

Let us also actively demonstrate the pride we hold for the countries we are part of.

We must take pride in being a proactive community, embodying the blue and white within the red, white, and blue US flag. We must not allow anyone to diminish the positive contributions we have made to the countries we live in and to the world as a whole. 

Combating Antisemitism

The specter of antisemitism looms large. Over the past decade, and especially in the year-plus since October 7, we’ve seen a resurgence of anti-Jewish sentiment—on campuses, online on social media, in political discourse, and even in violent attacks on our synagogues and physical spaces. If we are to ensure a secure future, we must confront this hatred head-on.

We must take proactive steps to enact laws that enable us to combat antisemitism effectively in all its forms—whether in textbooks, on campuses, in the workplace, or anywhere else it exists. Laws are a powerful tool in the fight against antisemitism

Education is a critical weapon in this battle. Holocaust education is more vital than ever, as every generation must learn the consequences of unchecked prejudice. Simultaneously, we must demand accountability from governments, social media platforms, and institutions that allow antisemitism to fester under the disguise of free speech or political commentary.

But we must be both proactive as well as reactive. Jewish pride and visibility are the most potent antidotes to hate. When we unapologetically assert our identity and celebrate our heritage openly, we deny antisemitic groups and individuals the satisfaction of diminishing us.

Supporting Israel

Israel is the beating heart of our global Jewish identity. For thousands of years, the dream of returning to our homeland sustained our people through slavery, exile, and persecution. Although our Jewish state is now a reality, its survival is far from guaranteed. The next 25 years must be defined by an unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, prosperity, and democracy.

As a proud Israeli, I know that Israel’s existence is nothing short of a modern miracle—a testament to the resilience and faith of the Jewish people. Yet, this miracle is under constant threat, both from enemies who seek to destroy us and from those who question our legitimacy.

Diaspora Jews must do more than stand on the sidelines. We must actively strengthen ties with our Israeli counterparts, advocate for Israel’s continued legitimacy in international forums, and educate the next generation about its significance to our people. Israel’s technological innovation and economic growth are sources of pride, but they also require our support. By investing in Israel’s future—whether through philanthropy, business partnerships, or advocacy—we can ensure that it remains a port of hope and progress.

From groundbreaking art and music to religious ingenuity, Israel exemplifies the vibrancy of Jewish life. It is a place where ancient traditions meet modern aspirations. Over the next 25 years, let us deepen our connection to this extraordinary land and ensure that it continues to thrive as a sanctuary and a symbol of our people’s enduring legacy.

Advancing Jewish Education

The next 25 years demand changes in how we approach Jewish education.

We must harness modern technology platforms to digitally educate and inspire a global audience, but we cannot allow time to dilute our values or traditions. Virtual learning can complement traditional methods, but it should never replace them. Community centers, synagogues, and schools must remain at the heart of Jewish life. It is here, through face-to-face connections, that the true essence of our identity is passed down.

I urge every community leader, educator, and parent to reimagine Jewish education as the lifeblood of our continuity. This means championing new initiatives, funding innovative programs, and ensuring that no Jewish child is limited by financial barriers. Every child deserves access to an education that fosters pride in their heritage and equips them to thrive in an interconnected world.

The time to act is now. We must treat education as the foundation upon which all other aspects of Jewish life rest.

A Call to Action

The next 25 years will test us. It will challenge our unity, our resilience, and our ability to adapt.

But our history teaches us that the Jewish people are no strangers to adversity. We have survived exile, persecution, and attempts at annihilation because we are bound by faith, family, and an unyielding hope for the future.

Let us seize this moment to write the next chapter of the Jewish story. Let every individual—from rabbis to young professionals, from philanthropists to educators—commit to building a vibrant, secure, and thriving Jewish future. We must all heed this call to ensure that the Jewish people stand even taller in 2050 than we do today.

We need to think about how to address the pervasive anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism coming out of certain academic institutions as part of a broader sociopolitical effort to protect and advance Jewish interests. There’s no shame in saying, “The law is on our side, and we, as a community, should advocate for its enforcement in ways that benefit us.

We must assert our rights rather than plead for mercy or special treatment. This means that Jews should demand protection from discrimination, just as any other minority group is entitled to under the law. Combating anti-Semitism should begin by leveraging the legal framework already in place, specifically addressing discrimination based on national origin. As Tal Fortgang aptly stated, “What is happening on campuses is wrong, not because of how it makes us feel, and you need to fix it because it is your legal obligation, not because you feel bad for us.”