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Bringing Young Jews Back to the Synagogu

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Young American Jews are increasingly disconnecting from religious life, but an innovative program at Baltimore's Beth El Congregation demonstrates how synagogues can successfully reverse this trend. Through the Young People's Community (YPC), a two-year initiative targeting adults aged 21-35, the congregation reimagined traditional worship formats to create meaningful engagement opportunities. The program centered on bi-monthly informal Shabbat services featuring circular seating arrangements, blending traditional liturgy with contemporary Israeli songs and original prayers, complemented by guided discussions on Jewish concepts. Additional programming included monthly Shabbat tish dinners, educational series, and study missions to Israel. Case study analysis revealed that participants progressed from minimal religious involvement to active Jewish practice, including mezuzah installation, prayer composition, and ritual participation. The peer-based learning approach and emphasis on accessibility proved particularly effective, attracting substantial participation and inspiring similar programs across Baltimore-area congregations. Results indicate that established synagogues can successfully reconnect young Jewish adults to religious life through targeted, peer-oriented programming while maintaining their connection to the broader Jewish community, offering a promising response to contemporary challenges in Jewish continuity.

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    Published 1974

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  • Publication Credits

    Herbert Yoskowitz