OPINION: Fostering Jewish connections and community: what’s controversial about that?

Educational Jewish organisations are considered by some as controversial. Are they trying to sell Shabbat observance surreptitiously, with sushi dinners and glitzy parties? As educational director of the JLE, I am often asked, what really is my aim? What lies at the heart of the social and learning programmes we offer young professionals? Am I on some religious crusade?

You may think the answer is simple: I do outreach or kiruv. Two terms that have recently become loaded. I want to draw people into mitzvah performance and Talmud study through whichever means works.

Critics, not without a sprinkling of cynicism, paint such work as disingenuous and even Machiavellian in their design.

To be sure, as a religious Jew, rabbi, and thinker, I greatly value Judaism, mitzvah observance and learning (that’s an understatement). I have had the privilege to study at the feet of Talmudic masters, both in this country and in Israel, rabbis who truly epitomised virtue, erudition, and wisdom.

Furthermore, Maimonides, the great medieval philosopher and sage, described how the founding father of our nation, Avraham, spread his message of monotheism and morality to the world precisely out of love and enthusiasm for what he had discovered.

The truths he uncovered on his personal quest for meaning resonated so deeply with him that he could not help but spread it to the world. The Biblical patriarch’s travels and hospitality were kiruv on a global or at least Middle Eastern scale. Outreach should not be seen in such a negative light.

As educational director of the JLE, I am often asked, what really is my aim? What lies at the heart of the social and learning programmes we offer young professionals? Am I on some religious crusade?

However, with all that said, I would answer as my RosheiYeshiva would do in their incisive lectures, namely, by drawing a distinction. At JLE, our aim is actually not kiruv, but connection. We are not aiming to provide simply formal education, but rather a holistic and wholesome Jewish engagement for all those that want it.

Let me explain.

Judaism is not simply about rituals or reading, but about living within a community. Forming friendships and deeper relationships, giving charity, socialising constructively, and supporting others.

Again, as Maimonides writes in his legal code, a Jew must immerse himself in his community, taking part in their joyous and sad occasions, praying, celebrating, mourning, and helping those around him. I believe Jewish learning must be bound up with communal life. The JLE’s educational opportunities should be conducted within a welcoming, warm, social framework.

A grant, graciously given by the US organisation, Olami, has enabled 15 or so keen young professionals to be subsidised to live near our hub in Golders Green and be enrolled in a more tailored scholarship programme, offering them six hours of textual study per week, guided by our educational and rabbinic directors.

With Olami’s tremendous help, we not only cater for thousands of young professionals looking to become engaged Jewishly with weekly programmes but can offer this more holistic setup

Olami have based their vision somewhat on Moishe House, another international non-profit organisation made up of a collection of homes throughout the world that serve as hubs for the young adult Jewish community, with several such houses in London.

Now, with Olami’s tremendous help, we not only cater for thousands of young professionals looking to become engaged Jewishly with weekly programmes but have been able to offer this more holistic setup, a fuller social, communal, educational opportunity, the way Judaism should be, melding all these values together.

I meet with those interested in studying Jewish texts and being assisted by the JLE to live in the area and become more engaged with the community.

With the cost-of-living crisis as well, this programme is a welcome one for those enthusiastic and suitable to join it. Without it, they would never have had this strong sense of belonging, Jewish learning, and access to communal and social life around the hub that they now have.

Personally, I have encountered less and less cynicism towards my work and passion. Connection and community are what JLE are all about, providing young professionals with more of an opportunity to engage in Jewish life, socially, intellectually, and practically. That is our aim.

We’re not “selling” anything, but giving what many are so desperately trying to grab and embrace. As Avraham realised, the Jewish message of community, friendship, service, generosity, and scholarship is certainly an appealing one.