Even though drunkenness is less socially acceptable among Jews, some Jews do have alcoholism and other addictions, and it seems to me important to acknowledge their situations. Otherwise we make it even harder for them to seek help. I’d also argue that unmasked depression without the alcoholism on top of it is still no picnic, and we shouldn’t dismiss its effects.

http://somalisforjesus.blogspot.com/2009/01/mansur-mohamed-sfj-martyr-of-year-2009.html

If you censor comments to your posts, what is it exactly that you’re afraid of?

Why is it that the conversation (and the primary purpose behind day schools) is about “getting “descendants of Jews” to ‘identify actively with Jewish collective activity’”? Is that what the Jewish communal effort is all about? Isn’t that identification (ie the internalization of Jewish identity as a primary component of one’s individual identity) one that must originate from within each individual/family and augmented by quality, accessible and affordable programming (the province of the Jewish community)?

It is time for the organized Jewish community to abandon the concept that what we are all about is fighting intermarriage, countering assimilation and preserving Jewish identity. Terms like continuity and survival and fear-mongering about Jewish existence should similarly be discarded as the primary (or substantial) motivators of Jewish life.

What we should be about is creating a network of Jewish programs and services that are meaningful, relevant, accessible, affordable and high quality.

The goal? I don’t know that it’s raising a generation of Jews who feel Jewish or creating a generation of Jews committed to study, ritual and helping others. Not that I am against that.

Maybe the goals are individually driven and it’s up to us, acting together as a community, to join forces to meet the demands of the marketplace. And equally important, it is up to each and every individual to take responsibility for their own Jewish journey and not rely on others to create it, implement it and fund it (this is not to say all financial assistance is bad. But that’s another discussion).

Maybe our goal is to create, or facilitate and sustain the creation of a Jewish community that acts in pursuit of however it defines and expresses its Jewish identity(ies).

We live in an age of unparalleled if not virtually limitless personal choice, including the choice to be Jewish and how that piece of identity finds its expression on an individual and communal basis. Individual choice can mean loss of institutional control. And while that is unsettling to institutions, it’s also irreversible.

Similarly, when institutions controlled, they also had the power of the communal purse, and this has led to a period of entitlement, as Jewish life seems increasingly subsidized (mostly as an incentive to participate and not because of financial need). But along with individual choice comes individual responsibility. You don’t just get the free trip or the subsidized school. You can’t get the free trip as a birth right unless you also accept (and act consistent with this acceptance) that with that right comes a responsibility. Not a responsibility defined by Jewish institutions, but one that is self-initiated from the neshama, defined by each person: How much of my identity is grounded in being Jewish? Do I want a Jewish journey and what does that mean to me? Am I part of the Jewish people and a Jewish community, and how does that translate into my action, participation, philanthropy?

The organized Jewish community has given up the middle ground of cost and hours of education. There are exceptions, but where did the 4 day per week after-public school program go? Where is the organized system of getting after school individual or small group tutors into people’s homes? Where are the curricula to facilitate such programs across the nation? Day schools have their place, but day schools above all else has cost the community greatly to educate only a fraction of Jewish children.

Well said!!!

Here’s the tell: He objects to calling West Bank fanatics fundamentalists. Please. Complain to Martin Marty, why don’t you?

But here’s the positive outcome, courtesy a commenter on Matt Yglesias’ blog. Henceforth, people who call anti-Semitism on legitimate criticisms of Israel will henceforth be said to be crying weasel tears.