If the number one reason for Modern Orthodox observance is "community and belonging" (42%, p. 10) then the finding that going to shul is an important part of my life for 69% of those surveyed (and that an additional 21% agree somewhat) makes perfect sense (p.11). Going to shul is the ultimate expression of community, so going to shul fulfills the number one goal of observance - belonging.
The finding that "davenning, tefillah" (9%) and "shul attendance, connection" (9%) are far less satisfying and meaningful reasons for observance are telling, though not surprising (p. 10). For most, shul going is an expression of belonging to the community, not about praying to God or about attending in and of itself. (I assume "connection" means religious connection and not social connection because than the figure makes no sense, since connection to community is clearly a central motivating factor to many participants in the survey.)
What is somewhat surprising is that the authors of the report summarize peoples' comfort level in shul as "people are comfortable in shul, feel welcomed" (p.11). The figures indicate that 62% feel this way, 26% agree somewhat, and 12% agree a little/do not agree. If 36% of those surveyed, at most only agree somewhat to the statement that they "feel welcomed in shul" then it is hard to characterize these findings as "people are comfortable in shul, feel welcomed." Over a third do not really feel that way! If a third of your guests were unhappy in your home, you would not be happy about that! Possibly, paralleling and even doubling this feeling of discomfort only 36% feel "listened to" in shul, though who they feel is not doing the listening is unclear to me. Is it some of their fellow congregants or just the clergy or the board? Whatever the case may be, if community and belonging is the overwhelming positive motivator for Modern Orthodox Jewish observance (and 53% even keep Orthodox observances because of "social or communal " reasons, p. 28) than if 36% do not really feel welcome in shul and only 36% only feel listened to in shul then there must be a lot of people who feel that they do not really belong.
This conclusion is supported by the fact that 42% of respondents (49% among 18-34 year olds!, p.75) felt that "people lacking love for others in the community" was a serious problem and that 32% felt that "isolation" ("feeling isolated and not part of the community," p. 72, 43% among 18-34 year olds, p.75) was a serious problem.
The following quote from p. 73 (and others on pages 77-78), while anecdotal, is telling: “I live in a big community with tons of shuls, schools, grocery stores, and kosher restaurants. However, it feels like people are unfriendly, not interested in meeting new people, and just don't care.†The fact that the majority would presumably disagree with this sentiment, arguing that MO congregations are vibrant and thriving, presumably exacerbates the feelings of those third (!) who feel isolated or unloved. The enthusiastic response of those truly embedded in the community is made clear on pages 26-27, making the pain of the unwelcomed and isolated all the more poignant.
It would be useful if the study had provided more data on whether this dissatisfied third forms a unique demographic in any other way. For instance, while I doubt that there is any direct correlation between the 36% isolated or unloved and the 36% of MO respondents who became observant after age 18, the parallel is suggestive. Might those born and raised within the community be less likely to feel unloved and isolated because they have familial ties and went to all the right schools, or does this coincidence have nothing to teach us?
Speaking in the context of Lookjed, I would suggest that this documented lack in belonging and communal love also affects the congregants' abilities and desire to pray as a group. Ultimately, prayer is about coming together as a community to address God, and if 36% of MO individuals are not comfortable in their houses of worship and communities, how can they enjoy public prayer?
I have written a blogpost entitled "Public Prayer and the Individual" (September 18, 2017) on the issue of public prayer in our shuls, which can be accessed at www.pensivewritingsblog.wordpress.com It explores the question of how we can encourage communal prayer if and when the community is fractured or certain individuals in it feel disenfranchised.
Horef Tov,
Meshulam Gotlieb
Jerusalem
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2017 06:55AM by mlb.
