This past weekend, I joined over 70 other Conservative Jewish college students at the KOACH Kallah, hosten by Northwestern University this year. The Kallah is a convention to bring together Conservative Jewish leaders from coast to coast for an enthusiastic, meaningful weekend of Jewish learning, connections, and Shabbat. This annual event brings together Jewish leaders to learn from each other, be inspired to return to their own campus with new programming ideas, and strive towards creating and nurturing a positive campus climate for Conservative and Egalitarian Jews.
Last year’s KOACH Kallah was my first official encounter with the Conservative Movement, and every since I have considered myself a Conservative Jew. The spirited davening, the ability to connect with other Jewish individuals who are struggling with the same problems as individuals and campus leaders, and the meaningful Jewish learning all inspired me to return to Miami University of Ohio and help implement non-Orthodox learning programs, revitalize our Shabbat services, and try to engage Jewish students in more ways. This year’s Kallah has done the same.
However, this year’s Kallah was also different, because it was potentially the last. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) recently unveiled a new Strategic Plan, which will be voted on this Thursday, that has severely crippled the future of KOACH. The USCJ Plan not only cuts over 70 percent of KOACH’s past operating budget, but also lacks any emphasis on college students and young adults being supported by the movement.
So, in response to this plan, the 70+ students at this year’s convention have formed the Mahar Coalition to provide a more viable alternative to the USCJ’s Strategic Plan. We advocate the importance of maintaining and increasing connections with campuses that have small- to medium- Jewish populations. We advocate the importance of Jewish learning on campuses that does not come from ultra-Orthodox groups. We advocate for high school Jews who will be in our place in years to come. And we advocate to make Conservative, egalitarian Judaism a viable option for the 21st century with a focus on today’s and tomorrow’s Jewish communities.
At my own university, we have benefited from KOACH through funding of our weekly learning program, invaluable Jewish resources, and Shabbat services ideas, in addition to many other less tangible ways. Other campuses are completely supported by KOACH and have no non-Orthodox Jewish learning without their support. Seeing these programs be cut of diminished would not only be a disappointment to college Jews, but a detriment to the long term future of non-Orthodox Jewish identity.
If you would like to support this movement, you can read the Mahar Coalition’s vision statement on their blog or join the Mahar Coalition Facebook page.
