Campaign for Youth Engagement: Committing to the Jewish Future
Why is the Reform Movement embarking on this Campaign? Our communities are full of dedicated and creative lay people and professionals who successfully engage youth and families. And yet, we know that if current trends continue in our congregations, approximately 80% of the children who become b'nei mitzvah will have no connection of any kind to their Jewish community by the time they reach 12th grade. We need to better understand why far too often, youth and their families feel it is not worth their time and money to stay engaged in Jewish life.
What is the goal? We plan to dramatically improve the ability of Reform institutions to involve young people in meaningful Jewish life and strengthen post-b'nei mitzvah engagement and retention in synagogues, day schools, camps, and youth programs throughout North America.
How will we accomplish this? The Campaign will utilize the breadth and depth of relationships that exist within the Reform Movement—its congregations and its numerous governing bodies—and bring to bear the full commitment of talent and resources of the Movement.
How can you help?
See "Get Involved" below to learn how you can support the Campaign. Read the Call to Action, a series of Movement-wide commitments to the Jewish future that was announced at the URJ Biennial – and email us at youthengagement@urj.org to participate.
Get Involved
Projects and Curriculums
Learn more about current projects and initiatives of the Campaign for Youth Engagement including the Teen Philanthropy Projects, Enduring Art Curriculum (available for purchase) and the Chai 8 curriculum.
Make a Commitment
Read the Call to Action, a series of Movement-wide commitments to the Jewish future that was announced at the URJ Biennial – and email us at youthengagement@urj.org to participate.
Download Resources The latest issue of Torah at the Center, a publication for Jewish educators, focuses on youth engagement. More useful publications will be posted here soon.
Does the URJ's incoming president, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, support this campaign? In
Rabbi Jacobs' Remarks to the URJ Board of Trustees Upon His Election,
he stated: "The future of the Movement - and that of the
North American Jewish community - is dependent upon the children and
young adults in our congregations and those who would be part of
congregations. The Youth Engagement Campaign that Rabbi Yoffie initiated
is critical to the bright Jewish future we're all hoping to shape. I'm
committed to moving this forward." Who are the people providing leadership and vision? Meet the Campaign for Youth Engagement staff. Learn about the people behind the Campaign for Youth Engagement.
How is the Campaign being funded? The sustainability for the Campaign for Youth
Engagement strategies, programs, and commitment actions will come from a
variety of sources including individual contributions and foundation
funded grants. Funds
are needed to support the exciting growth in highly-qualified youth
staff, innovation grants, pilot programming, and program expansion. If
you are interested in helping support the Campaign for Youth
Engagement, please contact Christopher Haley, Director of Major gifts at
212-650-4148 or via email at CHaley@urj.org.
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