I think it can be argued that most kids come out of school with approximately the same religious observance level as they entered … subject to some exceptions.

A Religious School (Day School, Yeshiva) has the added strength of bringing the Community into the school environment … but it’s mostly reinforcing, not creating, observance. For the most part they get intensive knowledge (cognitive) but relatively little behavioural (affective) impact.

If correct, this would explain why Jewish Camping has been so effective – it effectively becomes both Community & Family for the duration of the camping experience.

Then, for kids with weaker backgrounds, but who are open to change, the educational experience later provides reinforcement, skills, and context for the changes they are making.

However, kids who are making the change to more “observantly Jewish” lifestyles often have to move away from previous Community & Family standards and that can be intimidating/threatening to both.

Therefore, I posit that the “shandeh” of Jewish Education is a subconsciously deliberate subversion of students to prevent future-members of their Community from moving out (to a more “observant” Community).

The cruel irony is that this deliberate weakening of their identities actually facilitates their moving out (out-marrying, assimilating, etc)so that they are ultimately lost to an even greater extent.

The problem with this solution, is that it needs to happen on a larger scale and I don’t think the parent masses share your proactive enthusiasm to educate.

I can’t pretend to have the answer on how to address this on a communal level, but think individuals like Steinhardt should think about addressing this on a shake-up scale as he did with Birthright. Birthright may get kids to experience Israel, but it won’t necc. reinforce their decisions if Jewish life was never made a priority outside of Hebrew school…

I think the $64,000 question to Steinhardt’s peeve is how to incorporate distinctly Jewish practice in one’s every day life outside of Orthodoxy. Julie, you do this, and undoubtedly your children will also value its importance. I would place my bets that your kids will stand out on the college campuses, be involved in Jewish life and marry Jewish…

But, unfortunately, we have come to a point in time where lack of practice in Judaism is not necessarily a rejection of Judaism, but the mere fact, that most Jews in this society just don’t know anything about their Judaism, so how do you expect them to educate their children?

It is the responsibility of not only the educators, but literate Jews-regular people, like you and me, to share what we know. This is the only way to perpetuate our people.

We need to create a movement that is void of these labels that divide us. Quite often, non affiliated Jews feel judged by the Orthodox community. Which at times may be a reality and at times a false perception. You cannot change things, if you don’t recognize the problems, listen to the concerns and work together to erasing perceptions.

I teach to my non affiliated friends and neighbors every single day. I find something in Torah to learn, I then pick up the phone and make calls to share my knowledge. This is a part of my daily routine, in addition to running a business and raising a family. Can you imagine how we could change the world if we all did such a thing.

Let’s stop pointing fingers and playing the blame game. If you recognize the problem, take responsibility and do something about it.