Tuesday Morning Torah – November 5, 2013 | Congregation Torat El - Monmouth County Conservative Synagogue

Tuesday Morning Torah – November 5, 2013

As the recent   Pew survey of the American Jewish community showed, the Jewish community in America has plenty to be concerned about. But while much ink has been spilt worrying about the current status and making prognostications for the future of American Jewry, this morning I wanted to share with you some good news, focusing on some of the more exciting, dynamic, and innovative things happening in American Jewish life.

In 2004, a group of young Jewish “next-gen” philanthropists put together the Slingshot Guide, a Zagat style guidebook of the 50 most inspiring and innovative Jewish nonprofit organizations in North America. The guide has become an annual publication and, as described on the Slingshot website, “

Slingshot has grown to become an important funding source, a closely watched seal of approval, and a leading voice advocating for innovation in Jewish life.”

The Slingshot Guide is seen as THE place where American Jews can look to learn about innovative and high performing organizations that are leading and changing the face of the American Jewish community.

Two weeks ago, Slingshot released their   2013-2014 Guide. I encourage you to take a moment to read through the guide, both to learn about some of the exciting projects and organizations around the country, and to be inspired by the creativity, diversity, and vibrancy of Jewish organizations today.

Allow me a moment of personal nachas-I want to wish mazal tov to   AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, one of this year’s featured Slingshot organizations, and the organization where my wife Jane-Rachel works. They are a wonderful organization engaging young Jews in service and social justice work, and leading the Jewish community’s fight against poverty in the United States.

If you’re struck by the work of one of Slingshot’s highlighted organizations, why not make a donation, or find out other ways you can get involved with them? We all have reason to feel proud of, and excited by, the amazing things happening in American Jewish life today.