Sheyna D. Galyan - Publisher and "Jewish Suspense Author"
With the sobering predictions from successive American Jewish population studies, it's easy to become pessimistic about whether it's going to be worth it in the long run to raise an increasingly smaller new generation with a strong Jewish identity. Is there a reason for paying thousands of dollars for a child's Jewish education?

Unequivocally, yes, says Tsvi Bisk in his new book, The Optimistic Jew (Maxanna Press, 2007). Director of the Center for Strategic Futurist Thinking in Kfar Saba, Israel, Bisk not only advocates reasons to be optimistic, he proposes ways and means for creating a strong, vibrant Jewish future, which would attract younger generations of disenfranchised and unaffiliated Jews in the process. And we can do it in our own lifetime.

There are several keys to achieve this, according to Bisk. One is embracing cultural pluralism, which he likens to an environmental paradigm:

"Environmentalism recognizes that "mono-culturalism" (the cultivation of a single crop over extensive areas) endangers the health of the entire ecological system. Ecological systems that have an increasing variety of species and ever-increasing interactions between these species are healthy, vigorous, and robust. Ecological systems that have a diminishing variety of species and diminishing interaction between these species are sick and susceptible to collapse." (p. 31)

And Bisk dismisses the idea that one has to choose between cultures: Jewish versus American versus Israeli versus any other cultural heritage, stating, "Individuals who cultivate within themselves a plurality of cultures also have a much better chance of succeeding. [...] To the extent that Israel and the Jewish people at large can make this cultural attitude a norm, we will truly be a light unto the nations." (pp. 139-140)

Another key is redefining Zionism for the 21st century. While Zionism was indeed a success, it is no longer applicable either to Israelis or the Diaspora. Writes Bisk, "Many young Diaspora and Israeli Jews have grown distant from Israel in recent years because Zionism is a 19th century ideology trying to come to terms with a 21st century reality." (p. 57). In clear, down to earth language, Bisk retraces the history of Zionism, how it grew, how it succeeded, and what needs to happen to reinvent it for today and the future.

The third key relates to the role of Israel, within both Israeli and Diaspora culture. Since the creation of the State of Israel, the primary relationship has been one of the Diaspora financially funding Israeli organizations, ultimately directed by Israeli politics. Bisk writes that some Israelis even claim that in recent years these contributions have had little positive effect on Israeli citizens and have actually become detrimental.

"The time has come for a new paradigm wherein these relatively small sums go directly [...] to more efficient and effective public administration, innovative educational initiatives and national projects (such as energy independence) that could mobilize the energies and skills of large numbers of uninvolved Jews." (pp. 68-69)

Pulling together politics, psychology, economics, history, sociology, and ecology, Bisk describes where we've been, where we are, and where we can be. He offers specific ideas and suggestions for creating the optimistic future he envisions, and cites actions we can take as both individuals and a people. Of particular interest is his outline for the Jewish Energy Project, which can all at once invigorate today's Jews, reassert Israel's place in Jewish life, and tackle the growing dependence on foreign oil.

For anyone who is interested in what the future of the Jewish people could look like--if we will it--this is a highly recommended solid read with a potentially real outcome.