Rabbis these days have a lot to contend with: the instability of Jewish identity, a restless and questioning flock, American Jews' rocky relationship with the State of Israel, dwindling cultural literacy. Come June, July, and August, they encounter yet another hurdle as their congregants make for the shore, the lake, or the mountains, challenging the clerical powers-that-be to come up with film screenings, concerts, and classes to keep the lights on.
But take heart, rabbis. This latter-day, seasonal exodus is not new. Dating to the early years of the previous century and given a name—"summer Judaism"—it gave rise to considerable soul searching about the nature of faith and the limits of community.
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