Two Opposite Truths

by Joel Lurie Grishaver

Recently I was back East. I did a workshop for some educators, and was surprised by the pessimism that was exhibited. The secret to this pessimism are statements like, “I try to make a difference with each student,” or “I work with students one at a time.” It is rough out there. Rabbis are not getting rehired left and right. Parents are endlessly critical and demanding. We are raising a generation of students who believe in everything (and nothing might be an improvement). And the demographics show the slope slipping quickly away under us.