{"id":29,"date":"2018-01-26T11:26:39","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T11:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/positivejudaism\/?p=29"},"modified":"2018-02-09T14:36:24","modified_gmt":"2018-02-09T14:36:24","slug":"positive-judaism-judaism-4-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/positivejudaism\/2018\/01\/positive-judaism-judaism-4-0.html","title":{"rendered":"Positive Judaism = Judaism 4.0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Readers,<\/span><\/p>\n

The BBC recently ran a story asking, \u201cIs religion relevant anymore?\u201d You might say \u201cyes\u201d by the declining numbers in synagogue affiliation – fewer Jews in the pews.<\/p>\n

To be relevant, religion must be helpful to people\u2019s real lives. In 2018, most agree that life is complex and challenging and so we need a new language for Judaism that clearly articulates a way to enhance our lives in everything we do and everything we are. <\/span><\/p>\n

While ancient Jewish texts teach that God chose the Jewish People, we\u2019re seeing clearly that in the 21st century it is the People that will <\/span>or will not<\/span><\/i> choose to be Jewish. It\u2019s not enough to glorify Judaism and the benefits of living a Jewish life. We need something new and serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

Enter Positive Judaism, Judaism 4.0<\/span><\/p>\n

There were three motivators for Jewish life in the last century that are losing or have lost steam all together. Historical memory and Anti-Semitism\u00a0(1.0), Israel (2.0), and intermarriage (3.0), are not strong enough motivators for lifelong Jewish engagement in the 21st century. <\/span><\/p>\n

These are all important – it\u2019s important to know our history so that we do not repeat mistakes of the past. It is important that Israel exists as a safe haven for Jews and we must positively support all families who want to be part of the Jewish People – warmly welcoming spouses that were not born Jewish. All of this is a given. But none of this is central <\/span>enough<\/span><\/i> to our lives in the 21st century because the issues and challenges that we\u2019re facing today are new and different.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, people are looking for a deeper meaning to their lives. They want to live a positive life. They want to live well, enjoy life, and make every day count. Helping people with these questions in their lives makes religion worth it. That is why I teach that Positive Judaism is Religion 4.0 because it deals with optimal living, well-being, and happiness. Positive Judaism brings attention to the virtues that enhance life and that are at the core of living a meaningful life:<\/span><\/p>\n