Dear Reader,
Each year, it seems like a new article or study emerges focused on the anxieties of American Jewish leadership over the future of the Jewish community. But is the Jewish future really doomed, or is Jewish identity just too narrowly defined?
Along with many others, I believe it’s the latter. In almost all the studies conducted by Jewish federations, little attention is given to secular Jews who show their commitment to Judaism culturally, rather than through religious affiliation or spending on Jewish causes. They do this by exploring family histories, listening to Jewish music, preparing authentic Ashkenazi foods — or, in one of the expressions closest to my heart — studying the Yiddish language, history and culture.
This year, I gave a shout-out to four Jewish individuals who embody the ideals of secular Yiddishkeit through their knowledge of the rich legacy of Yiddish culture. As a Yiddishist myself, I believe these cultural ties are just as significant as some of the more mainstream definitions of Jewish commitment. After all, is studying Yiddish less meaningful than attending synagogue? Is spending one’s money on Yiddish theater or books a lesser indicator of Jewish identity than donating to the State of Israel?
When I write a piece for the Forward, I know I can ask all of these questions and more. For more than a century, the Forward has seen Yiddishkeit as a key piece of American Jewish legacy, and we always will. Donate today to keep powering the Forverts — we can’t do it without you.
