Comments on: Does Being An American Jew Cost Too Much?

By: Michael Trachtenberg

Michael Trachtenberg — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:34:01 +0000

Temple dues are only the beginning of the costs. The other parts include the Jewish Community Center and then Jewish Federation, or whatever name it is going by now, any other Jewish Agencies and then Isreal. How does a child from working family gain entrance into the Jewish community.

This strawman works and does not have the availablity to meet with the director or committee member to defend the ascertion that his family cannot afford the price asked. Pride and dignity may prevent this strawman from asking, and elect to be unaffiliated.

But let us look to the future. The number of affiliated Jews (or Jews by Choice) is declining. A declining population does not need more Rabbis, more Cantors and more Jewish educators. As demand declines we need a mechanism to reduce the output of people with this training and reduce the size of the mechanism that produces them. Yes, this is an argument for smaller seminary classes. This would be a step to reduce the burdensome overhead.

By: Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein

Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:03:39 +0000

Greetings all,

This is indeed a critical discussion, and one I plan to address during these upcoming High Holidays in a sermon.

I am interested to hear from others both 1) How the high cost of Jewish affiliation has limited your participation; and 2) What productive solutions you have found that has allowed for connection.

I would like to use these examples to inform my thoughts for the sermon. (If I use specifics, I will not use any names or personal details.)

Thanks very much.

By: Carin

Carin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:59:45 +0000

Amy said: I also challenge the claim that anyone who isn’t affiliated is “secular” . . . I think there are likely many Jewish folks in the world who are committed Jews who for a variety of reasons have chosen not to affiliate. Your thoughts on that?

I couldn’t agree more. Worship and prayer happen all the time without paying dues for the privilege. And while participation is down in paid memberships in mainstream organizations, there are so many new ways and spaces in which to be Jewish and build Jewish community that I’m still optimistic.

By: minnietwin

minnietwin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:26:53 +0000

Here’s the link to the original article:

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/printarticle.cfm/the-high-cost-of-jewish-living-15372

The online summaries don’t do it justice. It’s interesting but too preachy. Sanctimonious types, who say you have to go to day school or jewish summer camp or Israel to be committed or connected, turn me off. Same for high holiday tickets. WTF is reserved for “religious” jews who go to a kasher l’pesach resort for passover – did they forget the “meaning” of the holiday??

Jewish education is a good way to grow jewish adults, but it is no substitute to living a jewish family life in your home. I see too many young adults who are handed too much without earning it and consequently do not appreciate what they have. Giving of yourself to jewish causes says more about you than money does.

By: Emily Cutts

Emily Cutts — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:38:48 +0000

Amy,
I think that there are definitely costs for a single person. I think that while financially it may be less expensive (no kids to put through summer camp or private school) it doesn’t mean that it isn’t emotionally taxing. I think that single people may feel more pressure from the community around them to get married and have children. When I use the term family, I don’t mean a mom, dad and two children. I mean family as group of people who love each other, married or not. Thus, all families have costs.