Where are the Jewish people strongly unified? Where

If there is one unifying concept in Judaism, it is our need to survive as a people. Throughout the ages our enemies have sought to destroy us, but each time we survived as a people. In order to insure continued Jewish survival we need to do more than simply defeat our enemies. We have to preserve our culture from within for future generations.
My feeling Jewish is not based upon my parents experiences. My Jewish identity comes from having had my own experiences as a Jewish person in a Jewish culture. Similarly my children will not feel themselves to be Jewish based upon my experiences. They will need to have their own experiences of being Jewish in a Jewish community. This is the concept of “l’dor v’ dor.” From one generation to the next, we remain a unified people.
If we agree on the concept of unity as a people, what are the essential experiences for each Jewish child to have? For Jewish baby boys the first Jewish experience is clearly defined. He enters the covenant passively, usually crying, at the time of his brit milah. For girls it’s easier. She only has to receive a name. For many Jewish children the next Jewish experience is when they become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Is this enough to maintain the unity of the Jewish people?
If we are to survive as a people than each new generation must experience Judaism in their lives on a daily basis. If Judaism is not brought into the lives of Jewish children, then we will cease to be a unified people and our enemies will have their way-- we will disappear from the face of the earth.
What do we need to pass from generation to generation in order for our people to stay unified? Food (pause)…very important. Every Jewish child needs to know how to eat. As a baby, my first solid food was gifiltah fish, mashed and mixed with rice cereal. (pause briefly) matzo ball soup, latkies, gefilte fish, lox and bagels and sweet noodle kugel. These are foods which create memories. They are associated with the traditions and holidays of our community. Psychologist tell us that smell is the strongest trigger of memory. I will always carry with me the aroma of my grandmother’s matzo ball soup which became the aroma of my mother’s matzo ball soup, and which will fragrance my kitchen when I make it for my own children.
“Why teach Hebrew?” is a question Jewish parents often ask. It’s not very useful, it’s only spoken in Israel, and there’s plenty of transliteration in the prayer books. Why teach Hebrew? Because knowledge of Hebrew bonds and unifies the Jewish people. It is our language.
Unity also comes from community involvement. If children observe their parents engaged in acts of loving kindness within the Jewish community, such as celebrating with bride and groom, visiting the sick, and visiting those sitting shiva, then they will embrace the values of our tradition and their own Jewish identity will be strengthened.
So it’s easy (pause)…if the Jewish community agrees that it is important to remain unified, then we have to act Jewishly. We have to raise our children Jewishly. We have to live (pause)… Jewishly.