This week marked the installation of Arnold Eisen as the new Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary.  In appointing Eisen, the Conservative movement has taken the radical step of selecting someone who has actually has signigicant knowledge of the world outside the gates of the Jewish Hogwarts.  (As a side point, I think JTS would be much cooler if it sorted its incoming classes into Houses - who wouldn't want to see a good game of Talmudic Quidditch between Heschel House and Kaplan House?)

Eisen's ascension inspired the Forward to host a forum on the perenially popular topic of the Conservative Movement's ongoing malaise, the theme of outgoing chancellor Schorsch's caustic goodbye speech.  The Forward had the foresight to include some fresher voices along with the usual suspects.

Jay Michaelson, Kabbalist/Law Professor/Itinerant Genius, rightly noted that JTS's previous Dumbledore was wholly out of touch with what was ailing the movement.    

Outgoing chancellor Schorsch was right that Conservative Judaism is suffering from malaise, but 180 degrees wrong on the remedy. For Schorsch, wissenschaft remains the answer: more rational, moral Jewish thinking and sober textual reading. But American religion today — Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and otherwise — is not about rationality.

Michaelson goes on to explain that in the current spritual climate, religions that suceed are those that appeal to the "non-rational, spiritual, primal, mythic and even mystical aspects of ourselves."  He points out that American Jews are "pragmatists" and want "what works" for them.  Conservative Judaism needs to provide these things from "serious, levely text study" to "drum circles" as opposed to the "Rattle-your-jewelry Judaism", "old clichés about antisemitism and Israel.", and "dead theologies and dogmas" which make up much of conventional Conservative Judaism. Elie Kaunfer, the JTS graduate who has deliberately avoided the dreaded "Conservative" label in building the innovative and dynamic traditional egalitarian Hadar phenomenum calls on Conservative institutions to redefine how they understand success:

Bemoaning the decline of Conservative Judaism misses the point. This decline is a problem for the survival of Conservative institutions that are supported primarily by brand loyalty. But if the true mission of Conservative Judaism is to foster an engaged and empowered Jewish community with a commitment to Torah and mitzvot, declining affiliation may actually be positive. It signals an age in which Jews care enough about their expression of Judaism to resist an ill-defined label.

  Kaunfer advises Conservative institutions to focus less on whether Jews identify as "Conservative" and more on promoting the "meaningful, empowered engagement with Judaism."  Kaunfer advises the movement to "embrace the free market", arguing that "painful" restructuring will result in "vibrant organizations that attract people through quality programs." Both Michaelson and Kaunfer speak to the core weakness in the movement, its failure to navigate the chasm that exists between elite and mass Conservative Judaism.  Michaelson correctly notes that in order to reinvigorate Conservative Judaism as a mass movement, it needs to meet American Jews where they are, drawing on the aspects of Jewish civilization most relevant for this generation's challenges.  Kaunfer on the other hand, offerrs a model of a demanding but inclusive elite Conservative Judaism resulting in a smaller, but more vibrant movement with purpose and passion.

If Eisen directs the movement towards either of these visions, it will be an improvement over the inertia and lazy compromises that have predominated for the past generation.  If Eisen is particularly creative, he may be able to pursue both models simultaneously, holding the fragile Conservative coalition together.  At the very least, he brings something to Morningside Heights that's been missing for a long time - hope.