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| Chabad doing their thing (Jewish Press) |
Many in the Modern Orthodox fold go through the motions of religious life but are not that outwardly passionate about living a life of Torah, let alone bringing others closer to it. Even Rav Aharon Lichtenstein agreed with the contention that “the lack of either passion or spirituality is no accident, but the inevitable result of [the Modern Orthodox Community’s] interest in the cultural and political orders…
I even mentioned to every (MO) educator that roughly 35 percent of kids coming from Modern Orthodox families probably text on Shabbos or worse. The latest Pew polls are confirming these numbers, and the trend is growing because many Modern Orthodox Jews fail to see the value, beauty and power of Shabbos.
This is a very sad reality. His ‘antidote’ to this malaise is to take a page from Chabad whose Campus Kiruv efforts are wildly successful – attracting not only students from secular homes but even some MO students that had until then lacked enthusiasm for observant Judaism. Chabad infused them with passion.
When it comes to outreach, there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that Chabad is ‘King of the Hill.’ No other outreach group comes close to their numbers - or their reach. Although I have serious issues with the messianism that permeates Chabad, that has not lessened their successes. In fact I believe that their current outreach and successes are greater than ever.
I also take issue with Ciment’s lack of acknowledging the successes of NCSY. Although he does mention them as a sort of ‘used to be’ at the beginning of his article, he ignores them in the rest of it.
NCSY, too, is at the peak of success. Their successes have increased to record levels as has their reach.
Lest it escape anyone, they are an MO outreach organization that deals with the most difficult demographic to reach among all of Jewry – teenagers. I was once told by a Chabad Shaliach that teenagers are so difficult to reach that Chabad never had any luck with them. And they purposely leave that demographic to NCSY.
My primary concern with Ciment’s views is that MO is not only about MO-Lite as he seems to indicate. NCSY is not ‘Lite.’ It is run internationally by a Centrist leader* and staffed by Centrist Regional Directors – (in some cases even Charedi ones) and advisors that are as meticulous about observance - and as enthusiastic about Judaism as any Charedi or Lubavitcher is. There could not be any success without that.
The only ‘fly in that ointment’ is that Centrists do not comprise the majority of MO. MO-Lite combined with the far left of MO do. Which is why they have the abovementioned image. In my view Centrism is what SHOULD define MO. People whose enthusiasm and observances are ‘Lite’ should not. Despite their greater numbers. Greater numbers do not define truth. If it did. Christianity would be truth. Obviously that is not the case for me or any non Christian.
This is not to disparage Chabad’s Kiruv efforts. Their successes speak for themselves. There is much to learn form their dedication and technique. The late Lubavitcher Rebbe, R’ Menachem Mendel Schneerson was responsible for that. Clearly their Rebbe was a genius whose leadership was – and still is - unparalleled in my lifetime.
(Unfortunately that genius is also responsible for their messianism problem,. The good does not wipe away the bad. But there is an awful lot of good there which cannot be ignored and is worthy of great admiration and emulation.)
There is room for both Chabad and MO (of the Centrist variety) in living fully Jewish lives. Looking at Chabad with admiration is the right thing to do. We can learn a lot about outreach from them.
But they are not alone.We need not become Lubavitchers in order to be successful Jews. We just have to be dedicated to our ideals, meticulous about observance and our Mesorah… and enthusiastic about our Judaism. Serving God in the best way we can. At the end of the day, isn’t that what Judaism is all about?
*Full disclosure: My son in law is International Director of NCSY.
