When G-d asked Moses to invite very member of the community to bring gifts to help build the Mishkan in the wilderness, a model for community engagement began. Inviting everyone to give what they could and to contribute their talents as well as their “stuff” allowed everyone to take ownership in the community’s central gathering place. Even more than feel ownership of a “place”, the process of contributing to a singular effort changed our ancestors from rag-tag group of individuals who walked out of Egypt into an engaged community.
Throughout the long years ahead, our ancestors would be arguments, questions, struggles and moments of doubt as they continued their journey. But thanks to this community building project, these concerns would be dealt with as a community struggling to find and define roles within its ever-changing landscape and its eternal unique relationship with G-d.
Twenty-first century life presents different challenges. We have moved from an agrarian, goods-sharing based society to one where money is the means of exchange. Our professional leadership needs to be paid with more than a share of a sacrifice, as do those who construct, repair, and clean our buildings. If we need to pay for such services, there must be a money generating plan.
Development professionals remind us that 80% of the money we need comes from 5% of donors. This true-ism leads most to spend the majority of their time courting and honoring those with the largest capacity to contribute. The support from these donors ensures that our facilities can function and our important work can continue.
Yet, even as we assure funding we lose something by this approach. For if we don’t offer opportunities that invite all to engage in ways that are meaningful to them and then equally value, recognize, and celebrate every contribution, people gradually stop investing their time and resources. They look elsewhere for a place that will value what they have to offer and disengage from the community.
We face a true conundrum. We need funding today to engage the community for tomorrow. That means continuing to efforts to engage the most philanthropic in our community. Yet, we also need to have a community to engage and grow into future supporters. The Pew report reminds us that only 28% of those surveyed feel that being part of a Jewish community is an essential element of being Jewish and that affiliation in the community continues to decrease with each generation.
There is no easy answer; big questions rarely have one. Thankfully, Torah continues to remind us that we cannot be complacent with “what is.” Instead we must always reflect, reconsider, and together take thoughtful steps forward.
We must not be afraid to try new paths as we work to ensure an engaged and vibrant community today and long into the future. May we be willing to take risks and grow from all we learn.
Prior to her position with the Grinspoon Foundation, Iris served as a synagogue educator in Syracuse NY, the Central New York PJ Library Program Coordinator and as a national consultant for PJ Library.
Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education, a master’s degree in Special Education and Reading, and Advanced Certification in School Leadership and Administration. Her experience as a secular educator and educational leader in congregational and community settings spans over 20 years. She is also a lay leader in Jewish organizations on the local and national levels. Iris served as the President of CAJE – the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, which was the largest member organization for Jewish educators in the country.
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