“Synagogue 3000” is movement that has emerged within Judaism that is exploring new forms of worship and new ways to connect with Jewish spiritual traditions. As self-described “Generation Xers,” these younger Jews have begun to engage in dialogue with their evangelical counterparts in the so-called “Emergent/Emerging Church” movement. In a recent essay co-authored by Rabbi Shawn Landres and evangelical scholar Ryan Bolger, they reported that their dialogue is “organized around faith practices (Torah/Jesus), worship, and social justice, rather than traditional Christian-Jewish interreligious dialogue themes of memory (Holocaust), politics (Israel), and reconciliation (anti-Semitism).” In pursuing this agenda, they are eager to explore what they can learn from each other about creating “an authentic connection to their traditions and to God.”

This agenda may very well signal an important shift in a sense of Jewish identity, at least for a portion of the younger Jewish generation in America. For better or for worse, the horrible experiences of the twentieth century are becoming the data of history rather than matters of direct memory. While this may lead to increased assimilation for many Jews, it will motivate others to retrieve those spiritual practices and modes of worship that will allow new generations to seek out the ancient “paths of righteousness.”