OU VIDEO

There seems to be little doubt that, during the next few decades, the Orthodox community will continue to grow in numbers out of all proportion to the rest of North American Jewry. But it is not only in terms of numbers that we may expect to become the dominant force in the Jewish community. There may also be a weakening of the commitment of each successive generation of the non-Orthodox movements.

Our discussion will first need to affirm or to deny this scenario. But assuming it to be true, how did we get to this point, and what does it mean for us and for the future of the community? There will be a void which has to be filled. What must we do to prepare for all this, in terms of the education of our children, in terms of attempting to restructure the community, in terms of our relationships with the rest of American Jewry today? This is an opportunity for us to act in a visionary way, which has always been the hallmark of our leaders.

Anchor:
Rabbi Steven Weil
Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union

Panelists:
Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike
Dean, Lander College for Women/The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School, Touro College

Rabbi Steven Burg
International Director, NCSY, and Managing Director, Orthodox Union

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg
Senior Rabbi, Boca Raton Synagogue, Boca Raton, FL

Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter
University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and Senior Scholar at the Center for the Jewish Future, Yeshiva University

Jerry Silverman
President and CEO, Jewish Federations of North America