Jewish baby boomers in Canada are being overlooked by communal organizations because of a focus on young people, and that’s a mistake, say the authors of an extensive survey of Canadian Jewish adults.
The huge potential of this large demographic cohort is not being tapped by the organized Jewish community, which represents a big loss of volunteer work and resources, claim David Elcott and Stuart Himmelfarb, co-founders of B3/The Jewish Boomer Platform, who since 2009 have been conducting similar surveys of American Jews born between 1946 and 1964.
This non-profit initiative is dedicated to engaging baby boomers in Jewish life.
Elcott and Himmelfarb, who both teach at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service, released their findings at the “Engaging With Aging” conference, held in Montreal Sept. 18-20 by Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, which commissioned the Canadian survey.
Between May 30 and July 10, they surveyed 4,719 Jews across the country by email. The respondents, who were found through the mailing lists of federations, synagogues and other Jewish organizations, are assumed to be “connected Jews” by virtue of those affiliations.
The data was broken down into four age groups: those born before 1946, the baby boomers, Generation X and, the youngest, the so-called millennials.
“When we care only about our young people, it sends the message that Judaism is only for kids,” said Elcott, a grandfather of 10. “We have to show that being Jewish is an adult activity, and for our entire lives.”
“We need a new attitude to aging,” said Himmelfarb. “We have to re-think our priorities.”
They say Jewish boomers are unlike any previous generation. They want to be involved in volunteer work if it is meaningful, and they generally have the time and resources to do so, but Jewish organizations are not providing them with opportunities.
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The data, which cover 100 PowerPoint pages, paint a picture of a generation that retains its youthful belief of making the world a better place. Its members are open to new experiences.
While they have a strong Jewish identification, Canadian Jewish boomers’ connection with communal life – whether through organizations or synagogues – is not as loyal as it was among those older than them. They are less likely to make a long-term commitment.
As a result, a significant number have dropped out of organized Jewish life or are thought to be “at risk” of doing so, the survey indicates.
This age group tends to be “fluid” in its choices, Elcott and Himmelfarb said. Those currently involved are not necessarily going to keep at it and, conversely, those out of the loop are not a lost cause. They can be induced to come back in, if approached the right way.
Expense is not a primary reason for disengaging. Relationships and relevance are much more important, they say.
The desire to do good for others, not necessarily just Jews, is strong among boomers. Jewish organizations should convey that tikkun olam, or repairing the world, is central to Judaism, and create activities that fulfill that ethos.
“When we only speak a parochial language, we lose a considerable chunk of our people,” said Elcott.
Generally, boomers have more in common with the younger groups than they do with their elders and are more vital than people their age were in the past. Two-thirds are working full or part-time, for example,
Elcott and Himmelfarb suggested communal organizations are too concerned with providing geriatric services when older Canadian Jews today are less likely to need such support.
How boomers identify Jewishly is changing. One-third eschew any label, whether denominational or cultural, the survey shows. This trend is even more pronounced in the younger groups.
But over 80 per cent believe “being Jewish” is important.
READ: KEEPING THE NEXT GENERATION JEWISH
If boomers’ engagement with the community continues to decline, the researchers warn, the loss will be felt not only today but will have future ramifications because it sets the example for those to come.
The survey shows that some 40 per cent of boomers think the community could be more welcoming of the intermarried and those whose sexual identity, religious practice or political views are not mainstream.
The authors conclude that communal organizations need to be “more open to different paths to engagement in Jewish life.”
“We should not be privileging certain ways of being Jewish over others,” said Elcott. “There are many ways of being Jewish, and people do not like their way to be seen as less valuable.”