What is the greatest challenge facing the Jewish community in Memphis and Judaism in America?

The greatest challenge facing the Memphis Jewish community is a sustainable future. We have plenty of buildings but could use more bodies. From 1940-1990, Memphis was the only Jewish community in America with virtually the same numeric population – 10,000 Jews. An aging community and college kids taking jobs in larger cities means that we must find ways to retain and attract more Jewish folks to Memphis. It is an urgent demographic matter. We’ve gone from being one of many Southern Jewish communities to serving as THE Jewish “hub” for a four-state region. Our challenge is not only to be proud inheritors of the past, but to be something far greater – ancestors of future generations of Memphis Jews who want to live right here.