"To all appearances, as individuals, American Jews have done quite well, but as a people, they are yet to create a common, inspiring future.
If American Jewry is to have such a future, many people will have to make a much larger investment.
Iam not talking about money — although money will certainly be necessary — but about doing something more difficult that writing a check.
I am talking about people investing themselves: their time, their energy, their passion, their souls.
This requires a huge commitment, far more than anything that has been done before.
It requires those with knowledge and enthusiasm to reach out to the many fine people who are estranged from everything Jewish.
Together, they can establish the foundation for the renaissance we need.
We cannot re-energize Diaspora Judaism, any more than we can re-build the Temple, without hard work, determination, and hope."
From “Galut Bavli - Then and Now” by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, syndicated column, July 22, 2004
