I’ve said it before in this space, and I’ll say it again: you guys have an amazing Jewish community – and I don’t think you fully realize it.
I could launch into stories about the Sunday School classes of two back in Louisiana, or the 25 Jewish high-schoolers that comprised my hometown. These numbers definitely didn’t warrant a Jewish day school or Jewish after-school programs. For many years, there wasn’t even a Hillel at the major university in my hometown… 30,000 plus people and absolutely no outlet for Jewish students.
But I digress. This isn’t about me. It’s about you.
It’s about your chance to shape our amazing Minneapolis Jewish community and make it relevant to yourself and your peers.
Last week, you may have seen an e-mail from incoming MJF Young Leadership chair Sarah Gruesner about joining “The Revolution.” Mysterious, right? The current lack of official title is intentional – we want young adults in our community to truly own this effort, right down to the name of the initiative. What we do know is this: a growing number of young people in our community don’t feel connected to Jewish life and/or the organized community.
This isn’t a new problem; it’s actually part of the reason TC Jewfolk exists. Perhaps it’s the reason you’re reading this right now. It happens to be an issue close to our hearts, and our hope is to engage young adults in a dynamic dialogue that takes the first steps toward solving it.
So what exactly does “The Revolution” involve? Well, to start — as the Join the Revolution e-mail detailed, a lot of listening and seeking to understand your viewpoints coupled with participation in a tailored lead-and-learn curriculum. You’ll gain resume-enhancing skills, connect with others who want to be change agents, learn where we are, where you want to go, and how we need you to help get us there. The end result? Restructured, or completely new ways to connect with Judaism and Jewish life, designed and defined by YOU.
The team requires a diversity of perspectives (stages of life, skills, interests and backgrounds) combined with a common desire to advance ideas and initiatives related to young Jews in our community. So, we’re seeking a network of young people from across the spectrum, each with different talents and expertise.
That’s where you come in!
If you are in your 20s or 30s, represent any stage in the young adult life spectrum (student, young professional, single, married, with kids, without kids) and are willing to participate in the Inaugural Summit {held this late this summer} and continui
ng suite of events {over the next two years}, we’re looking for you. Should you accept the challenge, you would act as a liaison to and from the community and participate and engage others in the results of our work — through programs and initiatives, travel opportunities and philanthropy. True, we’re all busy people, but having some time available to devote to the process and the products of the team’s work is key.
Ultimately, our efforts are focused on redefining and rebuilding the way you connect with, through, and to Judaism and Jewish life. This process will grow and build your leadership skills no matter where they are on the continuum. So if you’re at all interested in the future of our Jewish community, this is a great opportunity for you.
Our efforts will begin with an Inaugural Summit later this year; an inspirational event to connect you to one another and a sneak-preview of the opportunities coming your way:
Development of life-long leadership skills, just-in-time strategies, and big idea development skills.
- Dynamic interaction with Jewish innovators and thinkers from our own community and beyond.
- Advanced multi-dimensional learning about work being done across the Minneapolis Jewish community and on our behalf around the world.
- The opportunity to impact the Minneapolis Jewish community of tomorrow.
From there, the group will be part of a two-year learning and leading enterprise – each serving as representatives of a broader group of young adults who are seeking new, creative and innovative ways to engage in Jewish life.
Interested? Click here to join the revolution.
Learn about joining the revolution and have a beer too at our monthly happy hour!
Thursday, June 27th| Indeed Brewery | 5-7:30 PM |711 15th Avenue NE | Minneapolis MN 55413
Questions? Contact Shana Cohen 952-417-2351
