YourJewish believes in a vibrant, integrated, and fully engaged Jewish community in which every Jew feels a strong sense of connectivity to their Jewish identity. When people feel deeply connected to Judaism:
The more a person feels connected to their Jewish identity, the more likely they are toact on Jewish values, contributing to a better world for all. When people feel a sense of belonging, they feel a greater sense of responsibility to each other and desire to give back to their local community.
Our core values serve as the guiding principles of YourJewish, informing the design of the organization, the programs we develop, and the decisions we make.
Injustice, poverty and inequality exist in every part of the world, including in the Twin Cities. YourJewish recognizes the obligation every one of us has to work toward improving the lives of all.
Global warming threatens our planet, affecting every living thing on earth. We owe it to one another and ourselves to commit to protecting the planet for future generations. YourJewish accepts the obligation to confront this crisis, urging support for those most affected by damage to the earth caused by humans.
It is common to hear Jewish thought leaders express dire concerns about the future of Judaism and Jewish life, but as Golda Meir reminds us, “Pessimism is a luxury that a Jew can never allow himself.” YourJewish believes in the potential for an expanded and increasingly vibrant Jewish world.
YourJewish approaches the challenges facing the Jewish community with an abundant view of the potential for significant cultural shifts.
It is in some ways countercultural for modern, progressive people to explore religion and to proclaim their Jewish identity. YourJewish embraces the courage it takes to cultivate your Jewish identity and assert yourself as a Jew.
It also takes courage to introduce new ways of thinking about Jewish community. YourJewish is rising to the challenge of a postmodern approach to Jewish engagement.
In Psalms 89:3, we learn that the world is built on acts of loving kindness. As such, kindness is a foundational principle of Judaism that guides us to treat all people with dignity and respect. YourJewish is committed to building an organization that is founded on acts of kindness.
Many people in Jewish families have yet to feel accepted by Jewish institutions, thereby stifling the development of their Jewish identity and cutting off connection to the Jewish community. YourJewish expresses kindness by being gentle, affirming, and inclusive of those seeking to engage in Jewish life, regardless of where they are on their Jewish journey.