Two Views of Conservative Judaism in Isr
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Israel's spiritual crisis of the 1970s sparked intense debate over whether Conservative Judaism could offer meaningful solutions for a population increasingly disconnected from religious meaning. As young Israelis questioned their Jewish identity and connection to the land for ideological rather than economic reasons, Conservative leadership emerged as a potential bridge between strict orthodoxy and complete secularization. Through comparative analysis of American and Israeli Jewish communities, particularly examining case studies in Ashkelon and Haifa, this research challenges conventional wisdom about American Conservative rabbinical success and Israeli spiritual needs. Qualitative assessment of Jewish knowledge, practice, and religious engagement among non-Orthodox populations reveals that Israeli secular Jews, while maintaining Hebrew language and holiday observance, lack substantive understanding of Jewish meaning and purpose. Conservative congregations in Israel have demonstrated measurable positive outcomes in Jewish education and identity formation. The evidence suggests that American Conservative Judaism can make valuable contributions to Israeli spiritual life, with financial support from American communities for Israeli Conservative institutions representing a necessary investment in addressing Israel's spiritual crisis and preventing further ideological emigration.

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Published 1974
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Michael Graetz