Just Jewish
How to Engage Millennials and Build a Vibrant Jewish Future
About the Book
For a religion that is hyper-focused on “l’dor v’dor” — transmitting the Jewish tradition “from generation to generation” — the idea that Millennials just aren’t interested in carrying on Jewish practices or embracing the Jewish commitments of those who came before them poses quite a challenge, both on interpersonal and organizational sustainability levels. As a result, it seems much of the Jewish organizational world is concerned with how to engage Millennials in their offerings. But, if the data collected from reliable sources such as The Pew Research Center are any indication, there is much more work to do.
Enter "The Well". Founded in 2015 in Metro Detroit to embrace this specific call to action, "The Well" has been doing its own on-the-ground research and development for Jewish Millennial engagement and education ever since. Repeatedly recognized as one of the 50 most innovative Jewish organizations in North America, "The Well" helped transform the Millennial engagement and education in Metro Detroit and beyond.
Just Jewish: How to Engage Millennials and Build a Vibrant Jewish Future shares proven techniques and ready to be adopted models to help the Jewish world's myriad organizations. From branding and fundraising, to relationship development and programmatic approaches, Just Jewish extrapolates lessons from "The Well" so they can be applied to the Jewish community at large.
As more seasoned generations start to take steps back from Jewish communal leadership, it's time to engage Millennials — this book helps make that happen.
Meet the Author
Rabbi Dan Horwitz is committed to fostering a joyful Judaism that is inclusive, inspiring and relevant. A research-informed practitioner, in addition to rabbinic ordination, he holds a BA, 3 MAs and a JD. Now serving as the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, he previously served as a rabbi of Adat Shalom Synagogue and as the CEO of the Alper JCC in Miami.
Dan was the founding director and rabbi of The Well, which was repeatedly recognized as one of the most innovative Jewish organizations in North America. He also was the organizational rabbi for Moishe House, the global leader in engaging young Jewish adults in their 20s. Designated by The Jewish Daily Forward as one of America's Most Inspiring Rabbis, Dan is lover of hummus, playing basketball and Jewish music jam sessions. He makes his home in Nashville with his spouse Miriam and their 3 rambunctious children.
