Jewish Parents/Empty Nest

After talking with some friends with Reform or mixed religion backgrounds, I discovered a little bit of a phenomena. These friends consider themselves "Jewish" and have desires to connect with Judaism in one way or another, whatever it may be. They grew up in similar environments as I did- in a Reform household where some holidays or traditions were observed and in a community that was largely Christian/non-Jewish.

They shared their fears that after they leave their homes permanently, their parents will abandon all the traditions that they shared with them when they were growing up. They don't think that their parents will have enough incentive to keep going with their rituals and traditions without their children around to share as families. Or even abandon Judaism as a whole and become fully assimilated.

I found this rather shocking actually. My parents are going in the opposite direction. No, they're not going to stop eating pork. But they've taken on greater interest in Judaism and find more ways to connect with their backgrounds. Ever since they returned from their vacation in Israel, they've decided to recite Shabbat prayers every Friday night and take more time with the services. If anything, as opportunities continue to arise, they will continue to find ways to be more involved. They hope that one of these days they will start taking Yiddish classes. My dad has even asked about the class schedule from the JCC for the winter term. They're essentially looking to continue reclaiming their roots.

So I am wondering if we have a new problem that we need to address in the Jewish community: dealing with the empty nesters as they need to redefine their Jewish identity as more than just families. It's the same issue that we're presenting to the youth: Judaism IS about family but it's more about parents and children, but the community as a whole. It's how my generation is discovering their Jewish roots: through organized community activities and birthright Israel trips, all without guidance from their parents. The vast majority of the graduate students at Michigan actually put "strong Jewish community" as one of the top reasons for attending there.

I should keep asking other people but the problem is that many of my Jewish friends now grew up in fairly Jewish areas where they just can't imagine not being Jewish. Maybe somebody in sociology wants to take this up....