Who runs Birthright Israel NEXT?

Rabbi Daniel Brenner

[his blog, a profile at Auburn Theological Seminary with list of publications list of pieces on religion magazine, Killing the Buddha, ranked top 50 influential rabbis on Newsweek compiled by some CEOs, his youtube channel, an interview on a random blog, article on his twin sons playing rock music, his essay called "Future of Foreskins," a poem called Eretz Yisrael]

I met Rabbi Daniel Brenner at an event at BAM for NEXT Shabbat hosts. I identified myself as a repeat host and told him the program made my life better. He was young, really friendly, someone who would introduce you to his friends and provide interesting conversation at a party he’s hosting with free drinks and apps. He told me where I should spend Purim in Brooklyn and replied quickly to my emails.

He is responsible for B.I.N.– the email blitzes, website redesigns, & staffing major American cities with Jewish community organizers. And probably for this genius page called ASK THE RABBI on the new New York Shabbat Next host center, where you simply email any question to ‘the rabbi.’

neither Brenner nor Woody. It's Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Brenner clearly knows how to take a joke, and how to cut through the monotony of youthful Jewish apathy + attrition. Having seen him speak at that event, I think he’s a good match, energetically and ideologically, for the task at hand: How do you de-assimilate Jews?

Birthright Israel is composed of 3 parts: Birthright Israel (headed by Gidi Mark, preceded by Shimshon Shoshani, Birthright Israel Foundation (Bob Aronson), and Birthright Israel NEXT (Rabbi Daniel Brenner).

If you could interview Rabbi Brenner, what would you ask him?
Here are some of my Qs for the Rabbi, which for now are not about the ins and outs of Birthright Israel, the organization.

• Does “being Jewish” mean having a daily practice? Do you do things each day to “be” Jewish like praying before eating, after going to the bathroom, performing mitzvot, etc. or can you just “be” Jewish without doing anything particularly Jewish?
• Do you feel grateful that you are Jewish? Like, is your daily life better because you are Jewish? Or is it just a part of you, like being born male, brown-haired, etc.?
• How much does your childhood Jewishness affect your Jewishness later in life?
• Do you ever grow tired of thinking about the Jewish community?
• Do you want Birthright alumni/young Jews to believe in God? Do you think those who don’t now will come to believe in God after being part of a Jewish community?
• Is it important to you to be Jewish? Why? Because you were born Jewish and/or because Jewish wisdom is important for the world? For you as an individual?
• My goals in life are to be happy+successful. How can you or other Jewish leaders/organizations help me achieve my goals?
• Are you working on a book? What’s the best thing you’ve read lately?
• Briefly, what is the best part of being alive?