Small Faith Communities
When faith values are successfully transmitted from generation to generation,
the likelihood of community continuity is increased and
its vitality strengthened
What Is Thinking Small?
Don’t rely heavily on institutions or the professional class
Reduce outsourcing
Increase parental responsibility
Clarify and articulate religious values
Don’t be afraid to set boundaries
My Journey
My personal life journey and my research has taken me to small Jewish communities across the United States.
It is my findings that those who live in small Jewish communities have different patterns of identity development and maintenance, community structure, and – most importantly – generational transmission of values than those who live in the large urban centers.
The Strength of Small Faith Communities
COMMUNITY
An understanding that the community is not comprised of families, but that the community is the family
TEACHING
Parents understand that it is up to them to provide their children with a religious education, and not rely on professionals
GUIDING
The religious leader is standard-bearer who guides the current & future imagining of the community.
Need More About Small Faith Communities?
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