“Not by might and not by power”… but by great storytelling shall Judaism live on!   

Hanukkah.  It’s beloved by young and old alike and is one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays there is. Sure, much of that is due to the gifts, the games and the gelt… and of course, the latkes (and did I mention the gifts?) But all those things are just the decorative trimming on a tale that has kept the spirit of the Jewish people alive and thriving through thick and thin for generations. 

No, it’s not the opening line in a standup act, but it is the reason I ended up writing my new book (more about that later). It was opening night at this year’s CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) Convention and I watched as more rabbis than I’ve ever seen in one place convened for drinks and appetizers in the Pavilion Room at the iconic Netherland Hilton Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Kardashians?  Why all the fuss?  They’re just famous for being famous. They’re worth multi-billions of dollars, they’ve got hundreds of millions of followers and, more importantly, they have the ability to influence what’s in, what’s out, and what’s about to be the next big thing. What does that have to do with my Jewish organization?

Based on anecdotal data alone, it seems clear that Jewish institutions need to be doing a better job of delivering more of what their constituents want and need. In fact, with declining participation in nearly every area of Jewish life, it’s more critical than ever before… But how?