Perhaps affiliation is also generational. We belong to four synogogues, one we left behind in Newton, one in our old neighborhood of Rechavia, and two in our new neighborhood, the last, really a minyan and not a full fledged shul. Why, is it only to feel truly a part of a group, is it for our children to know that they belong, is it to financially support a group in order to ensure there is programming, or it's longevity? Perhaps a little of each. I do not believe you have to belong to a shul or JCC to be affiliated or engaged, belonging to a minyan or even Hadassah means you are affiliated as well, even if you do not agree with all of their politics. Perhaps those who define 'affiliated' need to broaden their definition and include recreational Jewish groups, alternative Jewish groups, though I do not hesitate to say I would leave out Jews for Jesus. Unfortunately, identifying as a Jew is not enough to support the Jewish community and its needs if we are to survive. In being counted, we want to count as many people as possible to say look at our numbers. Remember the saying, vote once, vote twice, vote as often as you can. Well, join one organization, a second, as many as you can to be counted and to be able to give you opinons as well as you so nicely do on your blog. Greetings from Jerusalem.
Perhaps affiliation is also generational. We belong to four synogogues, one we left behind in Newton, one in our old neighborhood of Rechavia, and two in our new neighborhood, the last, really a minyan and not a full fledged shul. Why, is it only to feel truly a part of a group, is it for our children to know that they belong, is it to financially support a group in order to ensure there is programming, or it's longevity? Perhaps a little of each. I do not believe you have to belong to a shul or JCC to be affiliated or engaged, belonging to a minyan or even Hadassah means you are affiliated as well, even if you do not agree with all of their politics. Perhaps those who define 'affiliated' need to broaden their definition and include recreational Jewish groups, alternative Jewish groups, though I do not hesitate to say I would leave out Jews for Jesus. Unfortunately, identifying as a Jew is not enough to support the Jewish community and its needs if we are to survive. In being counted, we want to count as many people as possible to say look at our numbers. Remember the saying, vote once, vote twice, vote as often as you can. Well, join one organization, a second, as many as you can to be counted and to be able to give you opinons as well as you so nicely do on your blog. Greetings from Jerusalem.