We have all read the disturbing Jewish demographic trends, whether about our reduced birthrate (compared to the general population), or our significant intermarriage rate (somewhere between 40 and 50 percent). Our Diaspora numbers are falling in absolute terms, and our identity as a people is, arguably, also declining in relative terms. If we were members of another, larger faith, perhaps we would be less concerned about "continuity."

While we are a minority, many of our most cherished beliefs and values — for example, monotheism, the Ten Commandments, redemption, and social justice — are decidedly "mainstream" around the world. There is much for us as a people to be proud of.

So why isn't this distinguished record of innovation and service to humanity translating into strengthened Jewish identity and peoplehood?

To successfully influence and persuade people, especially our secular children, to live a Jewish life, it is necessary for us — as a community in the broadest sense, but starting, first, with educated, dedicated parents serving as role models — to clearly define what Judaism is. We must provide the "value added," or otherwise explain why Judaism matters, and to provide the array of tools and experiences that are necessary to ensure that Judaism is effectively internalized.

What is Judaism? Depending on one's viewpoint, there are several core elements that define being Jewish, or define the Jewish experience, in whole or in part:

It is a religious belief system premised on a covenant with Hashem as described in the Torah, the Talmud, and other sacred texts to make the world a more holy place.

It is a physical place, Israel, since that is where the Jewish experience began and endures.

It is an anthropological reality since Jewish culture is polyglot, formed by the myriad of societies we have lived in and encountered over the millennia. We are a mosaic.

It is a philosophy that emphasizes righteous behavior by requiring individuals to take responsibility and to study and to engage the world, in positive terms, through the performance of sacred mitzvot as well as through worthy secular deeds.

But to preserve the future of our people, we must teach not only the "what," but the "why."

Why be Jewish? Because Judaism provides a road map for living a holy life in accordance with the spirit if not the letter of Torah, one of the most important and influential documents in the history of humanity. We are Jewish because we wish to be engaged with the world. We are Jewish because we want to preserve a religious heritage that goes back thousands of years. We are Jewish because we wish to better the world through acts of social welfare and social justice. We are Jewish because we are inexorably bound together as a spiritual community. We are Jewish because we wish to be part of a community with shared values, placing a premium, for example, on education and the need to care for others in need. We are Jewish because we believe in the centrality of Israel.

We are Jewish because it is a passionate undertaking. We are Jewish because it brings us joy through the observance of our holidays and through the mitzvot we perform. We are Jewish because we seek to make a qualitative difference in a resistant world. We are Jewish because we possess a moral compass that imposes a high standard upon us. We are Jewish because we understand the power of memory and the promise of tomorrow.

In sum, our individual lives matter and much is expected of us because there is much to do. Judaism is an intensely personal faith and it gives each of us the opportunity to spark a difference in this world.

We need to continue to make the case to our children why we want to be Jewish because some of the traditional approaches in forging strong Jewish identity are either obsolete (especially with the waning of strong, firsthand memories of the Holocaust or Israel's founding) or not up to a series of ever-present challenges (such as the continually rising waters of American assimilation).

We are at risk if we do not identify, resource, and manage the tools that are necessary to help people lead meaningful Jewish lives. The best methods for living a Jewish life are through the acquisition of knowledge and skills (including well-functioning schools and experiential programs), through role models (parents, families, friends, synagogues, communities), and, critically, through immersion experiences. These include study, regular synagogue attendance, Jewish camping, Hebrew fluency, strong connection and support of Israel, and the development and support of technologies dedicated to telling the combined story of the Jewish people and of Israel in a manner that will appeal to a mainstream audience.

We take great pride in trying to repair the broken world, but how many of us also take seriously the responsibility to repair and build the Jewish people? I have always been a contrarian at heart. I believe that the Jewish people has every potential of growing and thriving within the community of nations in this new millennium. Teaching the light of Judaism is a great and powerful story, but we must adapt and learn to effectively communicate and market the story of the People of the Book in a way that will appeal to the children of the digital age.

Our lives are busy; our choices, unlimited. But Judaism cannot be outsourced. Teach the light of Judaism and the many benefits of the Jewish way of life. Your children will reward your faith and find their Jewish path. Spread the light of Judaism that shines within you.