WISDOM FROM THE NEXT GENERATION

1. WISDOMFROMTHENEXTGENERATION DAVID RUDOLPH, PH.D.

2. 1 HOW DO YOUNGERGENERATION VIEWS OF JEWISH IDENTITY DIFFER FROM OLDER GENERATION VIEWS? 2 WHAT ROLE WILL TORAH AND TRADITION, MARRIAGE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL HAVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD? 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION?

3. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM?

4. 1 HOW DO YOUNGERGENERATION VIEWS OF JEWISH IDENTITY DIFFER FROM OLDER GENERATION VIEWS? Responses: “There is a very significant doubt among the younger generation about whether they are Jewish.” -RACHEL “There is a desire to rediscover and embrace something that we feel may have been lost over the generations.” -ANNE “There is a desire to get past identity questions and ‘just be Jewish.’” -MICHAEL

5. 1 HOW DO YOUNGERGENERATION VIEWS OF JEWISH IDENTITY DIFFER FROM OLDER GENERATION VIEWS? “I think the argument can be made that the ‘older’ generation didn’t have so much ambiguity in regards to their Jewish identity. They were Jews because their parents were Jews, and they chose how they were going to live as Jews—observant/anti-observant, church/synagogue, etc. It seems to me that many walked away from any noticeable Jewish life, which has led to the younger generation’s crisis.” -ALAN “Young people desire very much to be authentic…One complaint that I regularly hear among the Messianic Jewish youth is that we are trying too hard to be like other people.” -MARA

6. 1 HOW DO YOUNGERGENERATION VIEWS OF JEWISH IDENTITY DIFFER FROM OLDER GENERATION VIEWS? SUMMARY OF RESPONSES • Less confident about their Jewish identity • The wider Jewish community as “other” • Not satisfied with what the Messianic synagogue has to offer • They sense that they are missing out on important aspects of Judaism • Do not identify as much with denominational affiliations • They want to be authentic

7. 1 HOW DO YOUNGERGENERATION VIEWS OF JEWISH IDENTITY DIFFER FROM OLDER GENERATION VIEWS? WHERE TO GO FROM HERE… • Clearly explain to young Messianic Jews: (1) why they are Jews, (2) why many people think they are not Jews, and (3) how to respond to those who question their identity. • Encourage our young people to participate more in the wider Jewish world. • Develop alternative venues to connect with Messianic Jews who are not involved in Messianic synagogues. • Give our young people a vision for why our institutions are important for building community and how they can make a difference by getting involved in these institutions.

8. 2 WHAT ROLE WILL TORAH AND TRADITION, MARRIAGE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL HAVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD? Responses: “Among the younger generations, there seems to be more interest in and emphasis on Torah and tradition” -RUTH “We don’t have enough Jewish people so it’s not possible for everyone to marry another Jewish person or someone who has converted. It’s significant that almost all the leaders in the Messianic Jewish community are intermarried.” -STEPHANIE

9. 2 WHAT ROLE WILL TORAH AND TRADITION, MARRIAGE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL HAVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD? Responses: “One of the reasons why Israel has such an appeal is that it is a form of Judaism that we can relate to without feeling the pressures of having such contradictory belief…it’s a way of claiming our Jewish identity without dealing with all the theological issues…That’s a huge reason why we have so many people making aliyah and joining the IDF.” -BEN “I believe the future of Messianic Judaism lies in Israel…Ultimately, Israel will become the center of the movement…The word of the Lord comes from Jerusalem, not New York or LA.” -JASON

10. 2 WHAT ROLE WILL TORAH AND TRADITION, MARRIAGE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL HAVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD? Responses: “I have observed that identifying with Israel is a natural and integral part of young people’s Messianic Jewish identity. I believe that a large reason that this is the case is because identifying with Israel does not conflict with young people’s need to belong or make them feel inauthentic. Messianic Jewish young people can actively support Israel in school, through social media, and anywhere else outside of their Messianic Jewish synagogues without being told that they are inauthentic. In other words, they feel that they belong to Israel.” -MARA

11. 2 WHAT ROLE WILL TORAH AND TRADITION, MARRIAGE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL HAVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD? SUMMARY OF RESPONSES • The younger generation’s interest in Torah and tradition will continue to grow • We will see new, creative expressions of Jewish life in Yeshua as the next generation seeks the Ruach for application • Finding marriage partners within the Messianic Jewish community will become increasingly difficult unless there is significant growth • Israel will become the center of the movement

12. 2 WHAT ROLE WILL TORAH AND TRADITION, MARRIAGE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL HAVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD? WHERE TO GO FROM HERE… • We need to show why Torah and tradition are fundamental to Jewish identity and continuity, and how Yeshua must be the center of all this and not an add-on. • Promote participation in Messianic Jewish camps like Or L’Dor, Dor Segulah and Camp Nachalah, which are making an impact on our teens in these areas. • Encourage Messianic Jews to marry fellow Messianic Jews or Messianic Gentiles. • Focus more on how our young people can connect with Israel. Consider the Israel Aliyah program that Kirk heads up.

13. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? Responses: “I think Messianic Jewish congregations have a bright future if their leaders empower lay leadership strongly...” -KEN “We need not only a revival among the Jewish people, but we need a revival of commitment among Jews to the Messianic Jewish vision.” -NATE “…a lot of the younger leaders have grown up seeing each other at conferences, so they can relate to each other, and this is a huge advantage.” -LINDA

14. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? Responses: “I think the future of Messianic congregations will be strong if we can answer the issue of identity for both Jewish and Gentile followers of Yeshua. There seems to be much confusion on identity for both parties and we need healthy, encouraging, and educated solutions to this very important issue.” -MARY “I believe that because many of the youth today are unaware of the fragility of the movement we may have a a lack of youth rising up to the necessary roles of leaders.” -ROBERT

15. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? Responses: “In the Messianic Jewish community, the common teenage identity struggle is even more trying. Many young people do not know how to define their Messianic Jewish identity. They compare themselves to labels, which are already understood and accepted within society. I’ve heard the following statements from Messianic Jewish young people: ‘I’m sort of Christian and sort of Jewish.’ ‘My friends at school think it’s weird that I go to synagogue and believe in Christianity.’ ‘I try to explain it [Messianic Judaism], but nobody gets it.’ Ascribing to a faith that is difficult to explain and not readily understood by one’s peers makes identity formation all the more difficult for Messianic Jewish young people.” -MARA

16. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? Responses: “I have witnessed that many young people either have a strained or non-existent relationship with the traditional Jewish community…I believe that we need to encourage our young people to engage with the traditional Jewish community…We need to explain to our young people that they should not expect to ‘fit in’ seamlessly, and also, that we should not be ashamed of our differences. At the same time, we need to teach them to be respectful when participating with the Jewish community. There is a delicate balance between affirming one’s uniqueness and respecting the norms of the community…When they are comfortable as Messianic Jews and feel that they are authentically practicing their faith, then they will be able to participate in events in the traditional Jewish community without feeling inauthentic.” -MARA

17. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? Responses: “If, and only if, Jewish believers choose to live as Jews, commune as Jews, and prioritize fellowshipping as such, there is hope for Messianic congregations. The challenge this generation faces is to not only make that choice self-sacrificially, but also to maintain a purpose statement in community that says ‘this is Jewish space’ They will need to define ‘who is a Jew’ and, with sensitivity and love towards all people, firmly proclaim the unique purpose and value of a congregation of Jews who believe in Jesus staying just that. If we fail to be specific, intentional, and clear, there will be no Messianic Jewish communities in 50 years—there will be ‘messianic’ churches and a lost remnant.” -ALLISON

18. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? SUMMARY OF RESPONSES • MJCs will have to find an expression of Messianic Judaism that is “authentic” to this generation • MJCs will have to grow in Jewish numbers and focused vision • MJCs will have to clarify Messianic Jewish and Messianic Gentile identity and explain why this distinction is relevant • MJCs will have to create more substantial curriculums for our children’s programs • MJCs will need leaders with more Jewish education and experience • MJCs need to make Torah and tradition come alive in Yeshua

19. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? WHERE TO GO FROM HERE… • Train and empower lay leaders to lead. • Mentor and educate young rabbis. • Prioritize Yeshua and Jewish life as a both/and. • Address the identity issues head on with love and sensitivity. • Encourage participation in the wider Jewish community. • Invest relationally in our young people. • Be open about the fragility of our movement and the real needs we have for leaders in all areas.

20. 3 WHAT FUTURE DO MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS HAVE? WHATCHALLENGES DO THEY FACE IN FORMING JEWISH IDENTITY FOR A NEW GENERATION? WHERE TO GO FROM HERE… • Develop new curriculum for MJ children’s programs. • Support networking initiatives like Grassroots, AMF, Young Scholars. • Connect Messianic Jews to MJ activities outside of our synagogues. They need to gain vision for the movement.

21. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? Responses: “iPad…iPod…iPhone…short, sweet, simple, easy, and all about ME! It is very difficult to develop the spiritual disciplines of love, patience, order, charity, etc. when the rest of one’s life operates with his or her own individually-defined applications.” -MICHAEL “One of the greatest concerns I think is spiritual apathy or the lack of a feeling of obligation.” -ANNE “Creating creative new models for liturgy that both preserve traditional Judaism and breathe new life into it.” -YONAH

22. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT • FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? Responses: “It seriously concerns me how many Messianic Jewish young people I meet who are depressed and do not know healthy coping strategies. Further, they are often told to ‘just pray about it’ and ‘let the Lord heal them.’ Hearing these oversimplified responses to their pain can leave young people confused and feeling that their pain is being minimized. When Messianic Jewish young people attempt to pray and do not receive instant, supernatural healing, they may either feel that G-d has abandoned them or that they were not worthy of being healed. The consequences can be devastating for their mental health, theology, and relationship with G-d.” -MARA

23. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT • FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? Responses: “…young people are deeply hurting from broken relationships in their lives, specifically in their families. Young people crave unconditional love, stability, and acceptance. When parents divorce, these basic needs are tested and injured even when parents attempt to continue to provide loving, stable homes. I cannot begin to tell you how many hurting Messianic Jewish teens and young adults I have encountered, who are children of divorced parents…We must recognize that many Messianic Jewish young people experience broken relationships in their lives, and this can have a large affect upon their spiritual identity and understanding. Often times, these young people wear the label, or identity, ‘I am hurting.’” -MARA

24. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT • FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? Responses: “Obscenely large percentages of the children of the leaders of this movement have left the faith, or are marginal believers, at best. What does that say about our communities’ ability to produce disciples of the Messiah? We must refocus our communities on the basics of faith—the older people teaching the younger people, everyone serving, being hospitable, community prayer, worship, Scripture study and memorization, practical application, accountability, transparency. We MUST get back to the basics; we MUST produce disciples.” -LEAH

25. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? SUMMARY OF RESPONSES • Hearing from G-d, walking with G-d, identity in G-d • Experiencing kavanah in Jewish worship and prayer • It’s all about me—individual versus collective spirituality • Apathy and lack of commitment • Dealing with depression and broken relationships

26. 4 WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? WHERE TO GO FROM HERE… • Laying the spiritual foundations of discipleship. • Modeling covenant relationships. • Seeing Yeshua in every aspect of our Judaism. • Prioritizing kavanah, healing and counseling in community life. • Praying for an outpouring of G-d’s Ruach.

27. 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM? Responses: “New leaders will come from the kids of leaders right now to a large extent, and from the congregations that encourage their youth to go to the conferences and interact with the younger people…For a large part, it’s the people who have grown up being very actively involved.” -REBECCA “The future leaders will come from those who recognize the stake we have in making this a movement that we can call home and raise families in.” -SIMCHA

28. 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF • THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM? Responses: “My hope is that current young rabbis will make real efforts to support and raise up leaders that are ten years younger than themselves. If current rabbis in their forties focus on raising up leaders in their thirties, and current rabbis in their thirties raise up leaders in their twenties, I think we will lessen the gap in leadership in coming generations.” -STEVE “If the youth are given opportunities to lead from a young age, then they will be more connected to their community and more likely to have the confidence to be future leaders.” -MICHELLE

29. 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF • THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM? Responses: “They will come from communities that have a CLEAR purpose and the leader has a clear vision, and where both have ACTION behind the words.” -LEAH “First, we need to be serious about identification and recruitment. It is necessary to constantly look for potential in Messianic Jewish young people, specifically in the areas of spiritual maturity, Messianic Jewish vision, and a high level of morality and character. If these qualities are identified in young people, current leaders should begin the process of directly and indirectly training up these young people…we need to offer these young people formal training and equipping opportunities.” -MARA

30. 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF • THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM? Responses: “…it is important to train leaders for all different kinds of ministry; we need future Messianic Jewish worship leaders, rabbis, elders, youth leaders, intercessors, evangelists, children’s ministry workers, sisterhood coordinators, administrators, humanitarian coordinators, etc…I want to encourage every congregation to offer Messianic Jewish young people the opportunity to begin serving immediately. Experience, paired with mentoring, is one of the most fertile grounds for learning to occur. Perhaps there are needs in your congregation that young people could fill as they are paired with a mentor who will give them feedback and guide them through the process of leadership development. The opportunities for growth are endless.” -MARA

31. 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM? SUMMARY OF RESPONSES • Youth who are actively involved in their synagogue and attend conferences • The children of current leaders • Those who are mentored and discipled by today’s rabbis • Messianic Jewish leadership training programs like K20 and MJTI • Communities that have a clear mission and are intentional about raising up next generation leaders among their youth • Those who view the Messianic Jewish community as their home

32. 5 WHERE WILL THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE MESSIANIC JEWISH COMMUNITYCOME FROM? WHERE TO GO FROM HERE… • Prioritize the discipling of our young people and give them opportunities to serve in leadership roles at a young age. • Encourage and enable our young people to attend MJ conferences and camps. • Every Messianic rabbi should make a concerted effort to mentor someone at least 10 years younger than they are to become a future rabbi. • Back leadership training initiatives like K20 and schools that support these initiatives.

33. INVESTINGIN OURYOUNG PEOPLE= AN EXCITINGMESSIANIC JEWISH FUTURE DAVID RUDOLPH, PH.D.