In the wake of October 7, thousands of American Jews, once disconnected from their heritage, are now embracing their roots. In fact, according to the Jewish Federations of North America, since the Hamas massacre, more than four in ten American Jews have either sought out or engaged more with Jewish life. Known as “October 8th Jews,” these formerly unaffiliated Jews are now eager to learn more about Judaism. So, how can the Orthodox community rise to meet this moment? How do we ensure our shuls, schools and communities are truly welcoming to those seeking to come home?
To help us answer these questions, we turned to leading rabbis, rebbetzins and outreach professionals. In the symposium ahead, we feature their responses along with showcasing innovative programs in the world of outreach. While this is not an exhaustive list, it’s intended to spark fresh ideas and help us answer a crucial question: What more can we do to welcome these newly awakened Jews into our community?
In this section:
What Jews Really Want by Leil Leibovitz
Leave No Neshamah Behind by Rebbetzin Gevura Davis, as told to Merri Ukraincik
Ten-Year Goal to Save Am Yisrael: One million new Jewish families on the path to keeping Shabbat by Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein
Cultivating Jewish Pride by Rabbi Judah Mischel
Responding to the Call by Rabbi Efraim Mintz
Welcoming October 8th Jews Home: A Symposium, Part 2
Welcoming October 8th Jews Home: A Symposium, Part 3
Doorways to Jewish Life:
Reaching Across the Gap by Toby Klein Greenwald
How a Gap Year in Israel Can Change a Life by Kylie Ora Lobell
Getting More Jewish Kids into Jewish Schools by Rachel Schwartzberg