Young Jews Want to Dialogue!

Many people, even those in the kiruv (Jewish outreach) movement, tell me young people are generally not interested in talking about Jewish identity and continuity. "We should only focus on helping those already interested in becoming religious develop the tools to study Torah," they opine. I disagree. Young people of all stripes want to discuss these issues and we have a moral obligation to engage them. The problem is that the methods many in kiruv use are stale and "too safe." OUT OF FAITH, as a "real" theatrical film, continues to prove that if we provide young people (and older folks as well) with inspiring material they will talk with us.

My trip to BBYO Kallah East yesterday (and today, I am writing you from there), again proves my point. We might not agree on all of the nuances of issues like intermarriage, but kids from less traditionally observant families care about the "big issues." If we continue to converse, we will all gain greater understanding of each other and hopefully end up where we should.