Rabbi Suggests Broader Definitions of Religious Observance for Youth
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Yona Goodman suggests broadening the definition of religious observance for youth beyond just Torah study. He proposes integrating social actions, like packing food for the needy, as alternative ways for young people to express their religious identity. Goodman believes offering diverse activities in religious schools and homes will increase engagement and help more individuals feel connected to the religious community. His aim is to expand the number of religiously observant individuals by providing multiple avenues for participation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Yona Goodman advocates for diverse religious expression beyond solely Torah study.
- He suggests integrating social actions like packing food for the needy as valid religious activities.
- Goodman believes offering multiple options will help more youth find their place in the religious community.
- He argues that this approach can increase the number of religiously observant individuals.
- The rabbi's ideas apply to both religious schools and home education.
Rabbi Yona Goodman has proposed expanding the ways young people can express their religious identity, suggesting that traditional Torah study should not be the sole path to identifying as religiously observant, or 'dati'. In a video commentary for Arutz 7's "Education in Our Generation" series, Rabbi Goodman argued that integrating social and community action with religious study can help more young people find their place within the religious community.
He illustrated his point with the example of additional Torah study sessions, known as 'Mishmar,' which are attended only by students who voluntarily choose to participate. Goodman noted that while this creates a positive self-image for those who attend, it can alienate those who do not wish to participate in extra study, making them feel like they don't belong. "If I personally have studied enough this week, and I don't want to come to another class, or another two-three hours of study right now, apparently I'm not one of the 'dati,' and let's go," he stated.
To address this, Rabbi Goodman advocates for offering a wider range of activities in yeshivas and ulpanot (religious schools for girls). He suggested that alongside Torah study, activities like packing food for needy families could be offered, especially on a Thursday night. "But if they double the options in the yeshiva or ulpana to be 'dati,' meaning in the first room they will study Torah in the simplest sense of the word, but in the second room, we are talking about Thursday night, they will pack food packages to distribute the next day to needy families, then suddenly the number of 'dati' will double," he explained.
Rabbi Goodman also believes this principle should be applied in home education. He stated that parents who present only their own way of living a religious life limit their children's understanding. Exposing children to diverse individuals who contribute to the community in various ways, such as synagogue gabbais (sexton) or community activists, can help children find their own suitable path. "If I only show him me, and only my model of religiosity, then he has one model. Either it speaks to him, or it doesn't speak to him," he said. "But if I constantly show him that there are various people in the neighborhood who contribute in various ways, then suddenly his options to choose how I will do it, not as an obligation, but because I want to contribute to the group, to the community, expand."
He emphasized that his proposal does not diminish the importance of Torah study but aims to add other forms of religious action. "If religiosity is only study, which is a wonderful thing, but if it's only study, then it's a certain number of students, or children more accurately," he said. By offering activities like packing food for the needy alongside Torah study, more children can see themselves as part of the religious group and participate willingly. "The number of 'dati' will also grow in the classroom," Rabbi Goodman concluded, "but mainly in my home."