Seeing our priorities at the GA

by: Mae Singerman

Tue Nov 09, 2010 at 18:03:08 PM EST

I just attended the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly (GA) in New Orleans. I'm 26 years old and if you would have told me five years ago that I would have been deeply invested in planning activities for a conference at the heart of the Jewish establishment where most people are wearing suits all day everyday, I never would have believed you.

But, a couple of years ago, I got connected to  people who do social justice work through a Jewish lens and for the first time in over a decade, I felt connected to my Jewish identity. 

So there I was, two days ago, at the GA- stuffing packets at midnight for the Day of Service, attending receptions and learning all sorts of acronyms (ILOJ, anybody?).

I heard a lot of people talk about how there were more young Jews at the GA than in recent history. And that there was more social justice focus than anyone could remember. Think there might be a link?

David Abitbol, who wrote this article, posted today on the Jerusalem Post, doesn't see that link. In fact, he sees young people's true motive for attending the conference: "creating a ruckus." Young people don't care about Jewish ritual or "car[ing] for our Jewish aged, infirm and ill." We care about "confront[ing] elders," twitter and not really having jobs or funding for our organizations. 

His article makes me worried that for all the strides at the GA this year- more young people, more social justice and more innovative technology usage- that lots of people in the Jewish establishment don't really get what young Jews are about at all.

So, just in case more than one person who attended the GA feels any similar hostility towards young Jews that Abitbol feels, I just want to make something clear.

Young Jews who spend the significant amount of money that it costs to attend the GA (from flights to staying at the official GA hotels to the registration fee) are going because we have an interest in being a part of a Jewish community. We want to feel a part of something, just like older Jews. The Jewish communities we're already a part of involve more technology, less business suits and more social justice. Wanting the things that are part of our regular life to be a part of the priorities of the Jewish community aren't meant to be rebellious attacks on our elders. It's just we probably won't come to events where our lifestyles aren't really part of the picture.