I just noticed this comment over on Hirhurim:
But there are far too many kiruv workers indisputably more interested in wealthy non-frum Jews than they are in their less wealthy brethren. It's the dirty little secret of kiruv.
I have to strenuously disagree with this comment. It's hardly a dirty little secret, it's way out in the open! I receive a glossy Kiruv Magazine every quarter, which is put out by a group of Kiruv 'Community' Kollels. Who is often on the front cover, or all over the photo pages? Not some local poor shmo, but rather the richest Jewish guy in town (he may even be the richest guy in town, period. He even has a street named after him). Him, his family, his friends etc have all been 'targeted' by the local Kiruv groups, no question. A few years ago a Hollywood media mogul moved to town, and the kiruv workers were all over the guy. But to be fair, they do spend much (most?) of their energy on regular people too. After all they do need to fill their quotas. It's just that the regular people aren't going to make huge donations, and maybe don't look as photogenic. Also if you snag a rich and/or famous guy, that's great PR.
On that same Hirhurim Thread, 'Chakira' (a.k.a. Josh Harrison) writes:
Kiruv as a combination of slick packaging, oversimplified rhetoric and reheated conservative family values blended together in a hypercapitalist economy can never be the Judaism we aspire to.
But slick packaging, oversimplified rhetoric and reheated conservative family values is pretty much what modern day Orthodox Judaism is, at least for the masses. Why should kiruv sell something it isn't? And what's so bad about conservative family values anyway? It's just a lifestyle choice.
Chakira continues:
It is heartening to see that all sectors of the Jewish community, from the Badatz to the Blogosphere, have finally realized that there is something about kiruv that just doesnt convert.
Feh, this isn't true. Just because a few BT's turned bAd doesn't mean the entire community have had it with kiruv. Kiruv is a money making machine, putting Jews in touch with their heritage, and opening up the community to some much needed infusion of culture (and a few crazies). And, many BT's seem to be happy at the end of the day. Would they have been happier had they not become BT? Maybe, maybe not. Hard to say. I mix a lot with non religious couples and there seems to be a much higher incidence of marital infidelity and divorce in that segment of the community.
As long as the Kiruv workers don't *deliberately* mislead people with blatant lies (that they know are lies) I say Caveat Emptor. Any non religious Jew who decides to turn Orthodox has only himself to blame (or thank, as the case may be). We live in a capitalist, consumerist culture. If there wasn't a market for it, Kiruv wouldn't exist. Kiruv is entirely legit.
In fact, I myself intend to start a Kiruv Organization. I will be mekarev people to my way of thinking (LW MO without unbelievable ikkarim). I think I will start by targeting some local rich Jews who are unhappy being Conservative. Or Orthodox.
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