Tonight is Passover, American Jews’ most observed religious ritual. They’ll retell the story of freedom from slavery in Egypt during a ritual meal, the Seder, and conclude with a vision of the future: “Next year in Jerusalem.”
But with each passing year, Jewish numbers are threatened. Surveys find fewer U.S. Jews and more who are unaffiliated and uninterested in the established Jewish religious and institutional life.
Now, to meet the challenge, young and young-minded creative Jews in the arts, philanthropy, technology and more are launching or expanding innovative programs to experience their ancient faith and culture with a 21st-century twist. A sampling of innovations includes projects as “right now” as tonight’s webcam/live-chat Online Seder, rallying Jews to a virtual table.
The article alleges “Every branch of Judaism has seen membership drop digits.” False. Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) and Hasidic Judaism is flourishing and growing both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of self-identified Jews.