That’s why they might leave. But when it comes to outreach, many Kiruv organizations are mistaken. They are deceptive in how they sell Judaism. I don’t mean that Kiruv professionals purposely deceive Jews they are reaching out to. But that they focus on fun instead of meaning. This kind of Kiruv will ultimately fail. Because once the fun wears off, and they see how difficult it is to practice, they will just chuck it and find other ways to have fun.
This does not mean that Kiruv organizations should abandon fun activities in order to attract Jews. But it does mean that there has to be honesty about what Judaism entails. And that the true motive for someone changing his way of life so completely is the realization that Judaism is about a way of life that gives it meaning. It is not about fun. Although there are many things in Judaism that are quite enjoyable, that is not its purpose. Serving God in all ways, not just in fun ways. Because that is what God requires of us. And it is what Gives a Jewish life meaning.
{*Author’s Note: This post was not meant as an opening for debate about belief in God or the truth of Torah. Those are givens on this blog.}
