Flexigidity: The Secret of Jewish Adaptability

by Gidi (Gideon) Grinstein, Avraham Infeld (Introduction), Josh Gottesman (Editor)

In Flexigidity, Gidi Grinstein offers a bird’s eye systemic view of Jewish society, exploring the secret of Jewish survival, resilience, security, prosperity and leadership during past millennia. Gidi argues that this secret stems from a unique societal hybrid between old and new, tradition and innovation, rigidity and flexibility – Flexigidity. He shows how this hybrid exists in many areas of Jewish society including mission, community, law and membership. Grinstein then explores the impact of the State of Israel on Jewish society and on the Flexigidity of Judaism. He argues that Flexigidity, which has been the secret of success for Zionism and for the State of Israel, is being compromised by modern Israel. He then puts forth that Judaism’s legacy of flexigidity may be key to Israel’s future prosperity and security. Grinstein then articulates a bold vision for Israeli society that stems from that legacy of Judaism. He envisions a network of vibrant and prosperous communities that are engines of local and inclusive growth, prosperity, resilience and cohesion. That vision may be highly relevant to other nations and societies that grapple with the challenges of the 21st century. The last section of the book calls for ‘Flexigid leadership.’ It establishes the characteristics of such leadership that takes a broad view of society and history and argues for its critical importance for the future of Israel and the Jewish world at large.

322 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2013

Reviews

[Lsilberman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not exactly a good book for the beach--it took me several months of on-and-on reading to slog my way through it. That said, the book became more interesting, in my opinion, as it dealt more with the State of Israel's need for self-renewal based at least partially on some of the long-standing "survive and thrive" methods [my term] that evolved in the Galut/Diaspora. Mr. Grinstein puts in quite a good argument for decentralized, local leadership based on merit, not politics.

[The Jewish Book Council]

Review by Philip K. Jason for the Jewish Book Council