Do We Truly Support Our Youth?

Again and again, at temple programs and worship services, we claim to support our youth. We say we pride ourselves at how much we value our children, from Consecration to b’nai mitzvah ceremonies, from Israel Pilgrimage fundraisers to Confirmation.

But where were you last Friday night? Do you know what happened?

Last Friday night, Temple B’nai Israel confirmed seven students. But the number of congregants who celebrated the culmination of our youth’s education — the pivotal moment when they proclaimed their identitifcation with the Jewish people — was disappointingly low.

We may say we celebrate our youth. Last Friday evening, our actions proved those words to be hollow.

I wrote a comparable blog posting three years ago (May 15, 2008). What I wrote then applies today:

“As I looked out at the sanctuary, I was struck by how few congregants were present to watch the evening unfold. If I subtracted the confirmands’ parents, siblings and grandparents from those in attendance, the resulting number was embarrassing low.

“At the temple, we speak of how we are a family, how we support one another, how we are there for one another during times of sorrow and celebration. The reality of last Friday night was a stark contrast from this lofty vision.

“For the Confirmation students and their families, the event was still memorable and sweet. But how much more memorable and sweet could it have been if more congregants were present, expressing their support?”

So where were you last Friday night? You missed a wonderful Confirmation ceremony. You missed the prayers that the Confirmation students wrote, expressing their thanksgiving and their passion for Israel and Torah. You missed their inspirational words that communicated their commitment to Reform Judaism.

As a congregation, we need to do a better job of making sure our actions line up with our words. Do we truly support our youth? Let’s prove it.

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