God Is in the Crowd: Twenty-First-Century Judaism

by Tal Keinan

“Enthralling, searching, profound, an extraordinarily powerful work on Jewish identity in the twenty-first century.”—Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

A bold proposal for discovering relevance in Judaism and ensuring its survival, from a pioneering social activist, business leader, and fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force

God Is in the Crowd is an original and provocative blueprint for Judaism in the twenty-first century. Presented through the lens of Tal Keinan’s unusual personal story, it a sobering analysis of the threat to Jewish continuity. As the Jewish people has become concentrated in just two hubs—America and Israel—it has lost the subtle code of governance that endowed Judaism with dynamism and relevance in the age of Diaspora. This code, as Keinan explains, is derived from Francis Galton’s “wisdom of crowds,” in which a group’s collective intelligence, memory, and even spirituality can be dramatically different from, and often stronger than, that of any individual member’s. He argues that without this code, this ancient people—and the civilization that it spawned—will soon be extinct. Finally, Keinan puts forward a bold and original plan to rewrite the Jewish code, proposing a new model for Judaism and for community in general.

Keinan was born to a secular Jewish family in Florida. His interest in Judaism was ignited by a Christian minister at his New England prep school and led him down the unlikely path to enlistment in the Israel Air Force. Using his own dramatic experiences as a backdrop, and applying lessons from his life as a business leader and social activist, Keinan takes the reader on a riveting adventure, weaving between past, present, and future, and fusing narrative with theory to demonstrate Judaism’s value to humanity and chart its path into the future.

Advance praise for God Is in the Crowd

“Beautifully written, brilliantly argued, this is a unique contribution to the conversation and a must read for anyone concerned with Jewish continuity.” —Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor

“ God Is in the Crowd  blends social science, economics, religion, and national identity to help us see more clearly who we are as individuals, people, and a society.” —Dan Ariely, author of  The Upside of Irrationality

“American, Israeli, entrepreneur, fighter pilot, and Keinan’s diagnosis of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora is provided through the lens of a rich and gripping life story. Keinan’s contribution is indispensable to the debate about the future of the Jewish people.” —Dan Senor, co-author of  Start-up Nation

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Spirituality, Theology, Religion

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book on Jewish continuity. It is part memoir and part a look at how to make Judaism and its people last more than three more generations. I highly recommend this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

[Michelle Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow -- moments ago I finished reading G-d is in the Crowd on audiobook and felt compelled to reach out to the author with this message (truncated for this platform): "This book broadened my perspective, grew my knowledge, and gave me new ways to frame current events."

I am whatever the opposite of a geopolitical expert is, and this book helped me understand more about the paradoxical experiences and challenges of Israel and diaspora Judaism. The author's Israeli Air Force stories interweave with meaty political and theological questions in a way that is compelling and attention-holding.

[thewanderingjew · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Is in the Crowd: A Model for Post-Diaspora Judaism, Tal Keinen
This is a book written by a committed Jew, a Jew committed to the survival of Judaism, rather than the survival of its religiosity a Jew committed to the survival of Israel. This review is, by design, brief. It behooves each reader to try to absorb its ideas and explore them with care. Perhaps, in that way, “The Wisdom of the Crowd” theory can be more relevant than I found it to be at the end of the book. I simply do not think it will work as well with abstract ideas, as it does with concrete ideas, when they are put into motion and assessed. However, social media sites use its principles to make many decisions.
With careful deliberation, Keinen lays out a plan for the survival of not only Israel, but also for the survival of the Jew, the Jew that is rapidly facing extinction on its current course through intermarriage and a lack of acceptance by the Israeli government which is influenced heavily by the ultra orthodox and their stringent rules for what constitutes a true Jew. The government of Israel, although welcoming Jews to the country, does not welcome all Jews equally into their community. Necessarily, that practice of discrimination eliminates a huge percentage of Jews from Israel’s support and even from supporting other Jews. Divisiveness reigns.
Keinan, born in America, explains his background and experiences, along with his decision to remain in Israel and serve in the IDF. He describes his plan utilizing the theory based on the principles outlined in the “The Wisdom of the Crowd”, by James Surowiecki. He uses that theory with regard to how the Jews have survived centuries in the Diaspora, and he attempts to explain how that same “wisdom theory” can be exploited to save Israel and the Jews from disappearing from the face of the earth, not necessarily through violence, but rather through attrition. Israel is losing its following, and therefore, the numbers of Jews supporting it and choosing to remain Jewish is dwindling, as well. As he attempts to use this theory by applying its principles to an abstract idea, when it is better suited to concrete ideas, I began to disagree with what he presented, although I agreed with most of the tenets he put forth in his argument for why a plan to make Israel and all Jews a more cohesive group was necessary; I just disagreed with his method and its chances of success, but I must admit, I had no idea of my own with which to counter his, which is largely the problem that exists for Israel and most Jews today.
I believe he honestly presents the situation outlining the tension that exists in the Middle East today, and he honestly describes some of the animosity, also, that exists between Arab and Israeli, between the countries and its citizens. However, I do not believe that his idea of allowing “outside” Jews to have a vote in how Israel governs the Jews within and without Israel is actionable or attainable. It is an interesting concept, and certainly, without the voice of Jewry in the outside world represented in Israel, Israel runs the risk of becoming nothing more than another radical country ruled by a religious group, governed by dogma and religious practices which will dominate the culture and future of the country, ultimately negating it as a haven for world Jewry. The ultra orthodox are the ones who have a higher rate of reproduction, as do Muslims and most other radical or ultra religious groups. If those radical religious groups gain a foothold, greater than they have now, Israel will probably no longer be able to sustain itself as it is, and will probably be wracked by war ad infinitum.
So while I do not think Keinan’s theory can work the way it is designed now, I think that it is imperative for some kind of a plan along the lines he outlines to be worked out. If Jews are to survive, if Israel is to survive, no Jew can be excluded or refused full rights in the country, and the rules for acceptance have to be realistic and inclusive. If Israel is to survive, the numbers of Jews living outside of Israel have to give the native Israelis the power to continue to control its own destiny, but they will only do this if they feel they have some kind of a stake in the country’s future. How to accomplish this is the question. Continued war is simply not the answer.

[Michelle Arredondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as meditation...to read spiritual faith based books brings so much insight and challenge filled thinking into my daily life and I find it such a necessity for all of life's daily struggles.

God Is in the Crowd: A Model for Post-Diaspora Judaism....I will be honest...I did not understand what I was expecting to read. I have not read anything on Judaism as far as I know...or at least completely in an entire book. I was interested...and glad that this particular book kept that interest through out. Always wanting to know more than what I have been taught, what I have been raised to believe...this book provides food for thought and great insight.


Thanks to the good people of goodreads, author Tal Keinan, and to Signal Books for my free copy of this book that I received via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book voluntarily and honestly.

[Larkin Tackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tal Keinan is an American-born Jew who fought for years in the Israeli Air Force and splits time between the US and Israel. He has a unique perspective of both the American and Israeli Jewish experience, and applies the Wisdom of the Crowds research to sustaining Judaism. He writes, “Jewish community is the medium through which that code runs. It is the evolving code that in turn defines the community. But as Jewish individuals have become safe, in America and in Israel, their communities have eroded. Modernity will end jewish history and the distinctive contribution of the Jews to human history – unless the code, and the community that serves as its medium, can be revived.” I wish he would have spent more of the book on this application, however, I learned a lot about Israel from the autobiography in the first part of the book.

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Tai Keinan, was raised in a secular Jewish home in Florida, then joined the Israeli Army as a combat pilot after college. After being emersed in the homeland and origins of his faith and his people, Keinan in this work examines four distinct classifications of current Judaism. He then poses a hypothesis regarding the true Jewish lineage in today’s society—will there be any pure Jewish bloodlines left in the next few generations? This is a well researched, objective view.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

God is in the Crowd is a look at the future of Judaism if followers were to use the Wisdom of the Crowd.
The most interesting part of the book in the look at Jewish history and Tal Keinan's personal history with Judaism. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the religion within a more contemporary time period. More than anything, I was most fascinated with the look at Israeli Jews and how they lived their lives, especially where military service is involved.
I had some empathy as Judaism is facing some of the same issues as Christianity that made it easier to understand the specific and special issues that just apply to Judaism. Keinan has a point that affects all religious doctrines; without looking at the population and understanding their ideas about their own religion, it cannot grow. While I understand and support this idea, his next idea on how to move forward is far more radical.
Keinan starts looking into politics and mixing politics with religion. This seems to be a move backward as government-run religion never works out for the outliers of the religion. Keinan speaks of incorporation and committee of the various factions while putting the president in charge harkening to ruling similar to the Pope.
The other aspects he presents is A Jewish World Endowment fund that would provide camps, teaching, and higher education. Jewish citizens would put in a certain percentage of income to receive these services at no additional cost. But once again, this is government run which leaves very little room for dissent.
The author hopes this book creates discussion. I am sure it will because it gave me strong opinions.

I received an ARC from NEtGalely; all opinions are my own.

[Caroline Igra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the message of this book. Hence the five-star rating. The fact is, that Tal has a very clear voice and has some very interesting ideas. I am also an Israeli-American. Or rather, American-Israeli. I think that Tal's journey, his descriptions, his issues with what's going on in Israel and America that is watering down world Jewry, are pretty much spot on. I like his ideas for reforms in Israel to help the world swallow what they're trying to offer. I very much wish someone would read them and take them seriously. I also really like his idea of applying crowd theory from business to the issues at hand. He is so right that something must change. I hope he takes this book around and speaks with however many people as possible and wish him luck with that in Israel, where, I fear, it won't be as well-received--where some of the exact audiences that need to consider what he's suggesting, are too-close-minded to do so.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a U.S. Jew who is also an IDF airforce Jew lends a unique perspective on American Jewry and Israeli Jewry and what their relationship is to each other and how to make it work in the 21st century with the rift growing wider between the two. Part memoir and part suggestion. Since it's a proof I won in a Goodreads giveaway it does need a little fine polishing but I found it very interesting especially the steps Israel could take to make a better Israel for those wanting to make aliyah. Further reading suggestions are presented in one of the appendixes.

[Wendy K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very thoughtful discussion of Jewish continuity, in Israel and in the diaspora. It starts with the question: “should there be Jews?” Recommenced to anyone interested in the future of the Jewish people/nation.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tal Keinan has written an unusual book. It’s not exactly a memoir - it’s more of a call to action to the worldwide Jewish community infused with his life story, and what a life story it is. Born and raised in the United States, Keinan was an unmoored teenager with a tenuous connection to the Jewish community who decided to spend a summer in Israel because he thought it might be a fun thing to do. It changed his life in a way more dramatic than it does for many thousand of othe American Jewish teens who visit Israel and say it changes them. Keinan decided to move there.

He later joins the Israel Air Force, becomes a F-16 pilot, formation leader and ultimately retires from the reserves as a lieutenant colonel. Keinan graduated from Tel Aviv University and goes on to found Clarity Capital, an Israeli financial firm with offices in Tel Aviv and New York. He now splits his time between the two cities.

He uses his experiences to weave a tale that charts his journey from secular American Jew to a committed Israeli Jew who, while still secular, is now engaged in study and a deep personal relationship with Judaism that is far beyond what he experienced while growing up. The purpose of his writing the book is to propose a solution to what he sees as the potentially existential crisis of world Jewry - the split between Israel and the Diaspora, specifically American Jewry. Israel has ceded control of religious affairs to the ultra Orthodox for political reasons. As a result, control over, religious decisions such as marriage, conversion, death and access to the holy places are decided by ultra Orthodox rabbis, who do not recognize other streams of Judaism, such as Reform and Conservative which are the dominant forms of Judaism in the US. The result of such decisions have led to a split that is becoming more and more disastrous as American Jews are losing their attachment to an Israel that treats them as second class citizens. The ramifications of that are frightening to say the least.

Keinan, a believer in the wisdom of the crowd, proposes two major solutions, which while creative are not terribly practical nor do I believe have a great chance of being implemented. He proposes that the President of Israel, which today is largely a ceremonial position, be charged with oversight of all religious affairs and oversight of all matters involving world Jewry. He then proposes, and this is the obviously the least likeliest aspect of the proposal to be adopted, that the President be elected by world Jewry not just Israelis. Keinan’s reasoning is that Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people and the President would be charged with oversight of Israeli affairs affecting world Jewry so all world Jewry should have a voice in selection of the position.

His second proposal is the creation of a world endowment funded by a tax on every Jewish family that chooses to participate. The endowment would pay for two years of camp for every participating child, one year in Israel and one year in the US and also would pay for four years of college tuition at the school of each participating child’s choice. The endowment format would encourage interaction between Israelis and the Diaspora through the two years of camp and would emphasize the value Judaism places on education through the college scholarship. Keinan believes the endowment would be a crucial link in uniting world Jewry again through the links forged during camp and the emphasis on Jewish values inculcated in youth during camp. I found the endowment idea to be a very intriguing one although difficult to launch and sustain.

I applaud Keinan for original thinking about and proposing original and unique solutions to the problems the Jewish community is now facing. I may have doubts about the ability or desire of the community to implement them, but there is no doubt that the community is better off for Keinean putting these ideas forward and publishing this book.

I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Adam Glantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has so much to say, I wish that he had written three books: a memoir of his exciting life experiences, an expose of the fractures within Israeli society, and a remedy for the malaise of Judaism. The inclusion of all three in a book of this length left his message a bit muddled for me. I find it curious that the last endeavor, i.e., the prescriptive one, is the most parenthetical, almost an afterthought in some details, when I was under the impression that it motivated the work in the first place.

At the risk of spoilers (caveat emptor), Keinan puts his trust in James Surowiecki's wisdom of crowds theory: throughout history, a moving average of intercommunal opinions tied to the Talmud helped Judaism adapt and set its priorities. While the concentration of Jews in two world centers limits the number of participants available for crowd theory to work, technology may bridge the gap by giving more actors a voice in the process. To this, Keinan adds a President of the Jewish people to overcome dead-end rabbinical control in Israel and an endowment to give Jewish youth Jewishly meaningful experiences at crucial points in their lives.

I'm not convinced by the first two proposals. If there is apathy and disaffiliation from Judaism, it will make the Talmudic "wisdom" project as minority a concern as any other aspect of institutional Jewish life; moreover, I'm not optimistic that a social science theory can totally replace more primordial ties as potent motivating factors for a mass-based program. Secondly, I can't imagine the Israeli chief rabbinate and its Orthodox clientele ceding power to a secular executive without a fight.

That leaves the endowment...which may be the saving grace here. I tend to think that one barrier (though hardly the only one) to greater engagement with Diaspora Jewish life is the price tag, e.g., for religious schools, summer camps, etc. The funds were found to make Birthright a success: they can be found to give Jewish youth even more Jewish experiences, perhaps adding subsidized day school to the tuition-free college, and maybe even capping the endeavor off with lowered synagogue membership dues for young adults if we get our communal machers (e.g., Bronfman, Lauder, Adelson) to put up the money. Keinan wisely polled his Jewishly-connected friends for their view of Judaism's core values and centers his endowment's projects around them, helping make the case for their motivating purpose to participants: in this secular-scientific and individualistic age, we can't take the "why" questions for granted. More Jewish literacy, more interaction between Jews at a formative period in their lives, and more transparent ideals behind those interactions can't hurt, and they're certainly better than the vacuum we have in non-Orthodox communities now. Kudos.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book to categorize. The first part is autobiography; Keinan was raised in the US and went to school here, but then moved to Israel and joined the Air Force. He was the only non-Israeli fighter pilot there. After his time with the military, he became a financial man as well as chairing a nonprofit that lends to projects including ones by Israeli Palestinians. The next section explores what he feels is a crisis in Judaism. Many US and European Jews are marrying outside the faith, and not raising their children as religious Jews. If that continues, he sees the end of Judaism as it’s known- and been known- for centuries. Judaism survived the Diaspora, pogroms, and the Holocaust only to face extinction by marrying out. His proposed cure for this is program that would fund (via voluntary donations by members) long term camps for Jewish youth, wherein they would spend one year in America and one in Israel, learning the culture of whichever one they didn’t grow up in; it would also pay for the college education of the children. He also proposes that the president of Israel (largely a ceremonial position at this point) be given power over all Jewish religious affairs- a sort of Pope for Judaism- and that the president be elected by *all* Jews the world over, not just Israelis. Right now, Israel has religious issue being adjudicated by ultra-Orthodox Jews, while American Jewry is composed mainly of Reform and Conservative Jews. He feels that the wisdom of the crowd- having all branches of Judaism involved- will save, even though it may change it, Judaism. He doesn’t seem to take sides in a right/left battle; he’s fairly even handed. It is an interesting look into what’s happening to Judaism. Three and a half stars.

[Avigayil · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Godless religion is simply one not worth committing your life to. To say "I cannot put forward a compelling set of objective reasons that the Jews must survive as a people" is truly insane. Jewish endurance and longevity is one of the greatest miracles and testament to divine intervention throughout Jewish history.

You simply cannot compare the Jewish diaspora to that of any other nation as our diaspora has and will always go against the nature and odds of nation survival. Keinan's worries and solution are irrelevant as they completely disregard Gods existence and His role in Jewish survival.

The idea that Jewish values and education should be held by vote is ridiculous. We don't orient religion and meaning off of how can we appease the most, but rather how can we live our lives according to Torah truth. Any truth that is meaningful to orient your life around is unchanging and could be never be decided by the "crowd." Saying the majority could choose what the truth is, is the antithesis to the definition of truth to begin with.

I gave a star in the merit of the following:
"I did not care much about the uninformed opinions of commentators and institutions that had not been moved to action when jews were being exterminated. We were no longer relying on these people to protect us, and we would not seek their approval when we protected ourselves."

Thank you ,Tal Keinan, for your service and the well written book, however your views are sadly skewed with the lack of divine truth.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.

I am not Jewish but I did learn so much about the Jewish religion, culture and society which aren't the same. There is also the distinctions between American Jews and Israel Jews which I found interesting. Keinan was a Jew born in Florida and schooled in the Northeast who went to Israel and joined their Air Force. The discrimination he faced from Israel born candidates for the select positions was interesting.

Where I started to lose interest was the breakdown of the three different views of Jews: the Territorialist, the Theocratic and the Secularist. I felt like I was back in a philosophy class I took in college. Keinan gives good examples but I wish he would have dumbed it down a little more since I was unfamiliar with a lot of what he was setting out, not being familiar with the Jewish thought process regarding society in both the US and Israel.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's impassioned message about the alarming problems facing contemporary Judaism culturally, religiously, and nationally certainly resonated with me. Since I started this book, there have been several others published along the same themes. Keinan's book was a challenging read -- primarily because of its structure leaping between personal narrative, analysis, economic theory, and history. At times, it felt all over the map, and the author acknowledges it was a challenging editorial job trying to weave many ideas into an accessible context. Author highlights several salient issues for consideration and discussion, and offers a novel education program based in Crowd Theory to address the critical challenges facing contemporary Judaic culture, Jewish religion, and Israel -- the Jewish nation.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tal Keinan wrote a very important book. He asks the important questions...questions that I have been turning over in my head since my college days--quite a few years ago--questions my family and I discuss among ourselves and with our friends over shabbat meals, and that I debate with my study partners. None of us have every taken the discussions to the next level beyond our own personal actions and tried to articulate an answer on a communal level, and for this, he is to be commended.
I hope this book is widely read and that there is a continuation of the discussion as he framed it, on a much larger scale.

[Steve Gross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I respect the author's intelligence and commitment to Israel. What I found lacking in this book was clarity. Stories were told without an obvious conclusion. It would have really helped if he had made a bullet list at the end of each chapter or the end of the book and listed his points.
I also don't think his reading list was wide enough. I would have recommended "The Chosen Few" by Botticini and Eckstein. In my opinion. Jewish continuity is driven by two things: Education and Observance

[Timothy Vowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insightful book about the author’s concerns for the nation of Israel!

Some comments that I posted: I just read that data from the 2013 Pew study that a majority of American Jews do not believe that there is a God!

Only 77% of Modern Orthodox Jews report believing in God!

“Jewish tradition is not about belief. It is about practice.” Tal Keinan

All from his book “God Is In The Crowd” (page 269)

Judaism has been fueled or bound together by practice for the most part!

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book from an American-Israeli perspective on the future of judaism. I felt it missed a bit of Jewish context beyond US and Israel, but it makes sense given the background of the author and that 90% of Jews in the world are in those two countries.
There is an interesting conversation starter on what is possible to reignite interest in Judaism for younger generations, it would be interesting to see if there is continuity from the suggestions there.

[Arnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like a must read for anyone who cares about the future of the Jewish people and of Israel. Loved his analysis of the forces that are in play as Judaism evolved and continues to evolve. He tackles issues that Israel confronts head on. Whether his suggested action plan gains traction or not, the author has raised some of the most important issues confronting the Jewish future.

[Gabriel Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and troubling

An interesting and travelling book about one man’s journey to and review of Judaism, the situation of the Jews today in the world (notably Israel and the United States), and what the future holds. The author is pessimistic but is not despairing. Strongly recommended reading.

[Allan Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flawed but good intentions

Despite the work of the editor this remains a meandering and confusing manuscript. The personal story is interesting but disconnected.The proposals are valuable and thoughtful with real merit.

[Eitan Rude · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was gifted to me, and it was certainly interesting and thought-provoking, but I’m not sure if offered anything entirely new, philosophically. Some of his recommendations also seem a bit impractical/unrealistic. He certainly has an interesting story, though!

[Seth Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think tales ideas are very original and took a lot of guts to write this. Not many people would come up with ideas that hopefully can continue our religion for many centuries to come.

[Maggi Horseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent discourse on contemporary Judaism incorporating economic, historical, sociological, and theological perspectives. Informative, interesting, and authentic.

[Sara Laor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look into the Jewish past and future. I was left a bit confused about his proposal for the Jewish scholarship -- what are the next steps? Would like to hear more from Mr. Keinan.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discussion of the future of organized religion in the world today.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Aaron Spool · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you have any thoughts on the future of Israel and the Jewish people. Tal provides a much needed fresh perspective.