By Betzy Lynch in La Jolla, California
There is a tale from Midrash Rabbah about a group of people traveling together in a boat. One of them takes a drill and begins to bore a hole beneath his seat.
His companions cry out, “Why are you doing this?”
He answers, “What concern is it of yours? Am I not drilling under my own place?”
They respond, “Yes, but you will flood the boat for us all.”
This brief story captures the heart of the Jewish value of arevut, shared responsibility. In life, we often imagine that we are accountable only for ourselves, that “our seat” is private. Judaism insists otherwise. What we do affects those around us. Our fates are intertwined. We rise or fall together.
That ancient teaching came alive for me this week when I attended the annual gathering of JCC executive leadership from across North America and around the world. During the opening session, Mimi Kravetz, Chief Impact and Growth Officer of the Jewish Federations of North America, shared findings from recent research on Jewish communal engagement since October 7, 2023.
Many of us have felt this shift firsthand. Jewish engagement across North America has grown dramatically since October 7, what many now call “the surge.” For years, Jewish communities struggled to reach those who felt only marginally connected, or not connected at all. But something changed, not only on October 7 itself, but in the days and weeks that followed, as the world responded to the horrific events. In that moment, many people turned back toward the Jewish community, seeking belonging, meaning, and safety.
Most striking of all: among those who had been the least engaged before October 7, the primary entry point back into Jewish life was the JCC. Across North America, nearly 77% found their way in through JCC programs and initiatives. When asked why they chose the JCC, two reasons stood out clearly.
First, the JCC felt warm, welcoming, and accepting.
Second, they could bring their partner, spouse, or friends who are not Jewish, and those loved ones could fully participate without feeling like outsiders, because people of many faiths and no faith are already part of JCC life.
Pause for a second and let that sink in. What made Jewish people feel most welcome returning to Jewish spaces was the visible, meaningful presence of people who are not Jewish.
Each week, 1.5 million people walk through the doors of JCCs. One million identify as Jewish. Five hundred thousand are of another faith or of no faith at all. Without these friends, partners, and allies, we could not be strengthening the Jewish community in the way we are today.
This reality moves us beyond arevut, shared responsibility, and into shutafut, partnership. Our community is not only about making sure the boat does not sink; it is about what we are capable of doing together.
Arevut teaches that our choices affect one another, and therefore we must protect one another. Shutafut lifts that teaching higher, reminding us that the strengths of others can complete our own, so together we can build something neither of us could build alone.
To those among us who are of another faith, or of no faith, who have found your way into our JCC community: we are deeply grateful for your presence. Whether you intended it or not, you have helped make our community safer, stronger, and braver for the Jewish people.
As Shabbat fades, I want to offer a blessing on behalf of the people who are not Jewish who participate in or work at JCCs and help us build something we could not build alone.
Adapted from Rabbi Janet Marder
May everyone who shares in Jewish life feel truly welcome and deeply connected.
We lovingly acknowledge the diversity of our community and give thanks for the love and support you offer by opening your heart to Judaism, no matter how large or small a part it plays in your day.
Your presence is valued. It is never taken for granted, for not everyone in this broken world will sit at a Shabbat table or swim in a JCC pool.
We are a very small people, and history has made us smaller.
As hatred rises again and fear echoes through our community, we are profoundly grateful that you choose to stand with us.
May all that you give to the Jewish people return to you and fill your life with joy.
Shavua Tov,
*
Betzy Lynch is the Chief Executive Officer of the Lawrence Family JCC.