Collaborate: Uniting Efforts and Resources for a Stronger Community

One of my favorite words when I imagine the future of the South Bend Jewish community is collaborate.

As a thought exercise, I want to take a moment to unpack and reflect on some of the meanings of “collaborate” with some help from the prestigious Academy of the Hebrew Language in Jerusalem.

According to the Academy, “collaborative” should be translated as shitufit. The root Sh-T-F has multiple expressions. Shutafut is a partnership. Le’hishtatef is to participate. A “common denominator” is known in Hebrew as a mechaneh meshutaf.

This semantic field is rich in values of great importance to building a shared future for the Jewish community in South Bend, especially at this momentous time.

A new sense of what’s possible is in the air as Sinai and Temple collaborate in an historic exploration of the best path forward for both congregations. Congregational meetings are underway to share their progress. The planning and collaboration between Sinai and Temple will set new cornerstones shaping the contours of our Jewish future for years to come.

Unfortunately, there are no set formulas for planning our collective future. We cannot rely on an all-powerful algorithm to chart our path forward. However, we can hold fast to shared core values—participation and partnership—and seek out what we share while honoring our diversity.

I can confidently say that working together and intentionally building our Jewish future, from a Federation perspective, animates the professional staff. Only by working together through a collective vision and shared values can we unlock the power of community and become a force for progress.

The cogency of the collective is why the Federation supports the highly participatory community planning work that Sinai and Temple are doing. We embrace a future predicated on innovative community development, effective partnerships, and good stewardship to achieve impact and sustainability.

The Federation’s North Star, for almost 80 years (we’ll celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2025), is a healthy, flourishing local Jewish community. To this end, a future scenario that consistently bubbles up in my conversations with community members is a campus for Jewish life. This campus concept of developing a Center for Jewish Life gives us infinite possibilities to create Jewish engagement for people of all ages, beliefs, and backgrounds.

A community platform revolving around a campus-type concept with an inclusive philosophy provides a rich tapestry to connect people to Jewish life on their terms. As a safe, welcoming, and meaningful cultural, intellectual, and spiritual home, the Center’s promise lives in its core identity to be:

A place for essential conversations and immersive Jewish experiences that enlighten and inspire.

A place to magnify Judaism’s impact on the world and here at home.

A place rooted in universal Jewish values and committed to serving our community today and the next generation.

Our collaboration is so essential. Many small Jewish communities across America are struggling. By coming together, we’ll navigate an ever-changing world and lead our community forward with a vision of implementing our bright Jewish future.

This is an exciting time in Jewish South Bend. It’s a time of discovery. It’s a time to be strategic, intentional, optimistic, and Jewish. It’s a time to be filled with gratitude, to exercise collaboration, and to make new connections—with the Federation and each other.

Moshe Kruger
Executive Director
574-233-1164 x1802
MKruger@TheJewishFed.org