Leading Congregations and Nonprofits in a Connected World by Herring Hayim;Elton Terri Martinson;

Author:Herring, Hayim;Elton, Terri Martinson;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: undefined
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Fusing the Model

Fusion is another pathway to innovation. In nuclear physics, when two lighter atomic nuclei collide at high speeds and become a heavier nucleus, they produce energy. By analogy, for our purposes, what is of interest is the merging of two distinct forms of entities into one that releases energy. An example of fusion in technology is the merging of printing and manufacturing technologies that produced the 3D printer. Many fitness clubs have fused two concepts that used to be separate not long ago: eating healthy and exercising, so that exercise and diet have become fused into a more holistic, integrated approach to healthy living. Today, fusing different styles of music, or cuisine from different cultures, are common ways to surprise the ear and delight the palate, when done by experts who meld the best of disparate traditions into creative, unique, memorable consumer experiences.

Most congregations will not be able to afford the significant capital and human resources that are required for the long-term research and development (R&D) that produces truly breakthrough innovations. However, fusion is a well-tested strategy for innovation. Its advantage as a strategy for congregations and nonprofit organizations that tend to be or become more conservative is that it retains something familiar, but through a “collision” with a different category, enlivens constituents with new experiences.

In our study, the Jewish congregation that best illustrates a fusion model is Romemu. Its mission statement captures its intentionality of innovation through fusion. “Romemu is attempting to transform the way Judaism is practiced and experienced by infusing aspects of Eastern spiritual practices with traditional Orthodox influences, so the ta’am or ‘taste’ is unmistakably Jewish.”[14] Fusion as a pathway to innovation comes naturally; Rabbi David Ingber, Romemu’s founder and spiritual leader, embodies fusion on a personal level. His understanding of twenty-first-century Judaism integrates his experiences with Orthodox, Renewal, and mystical expressions of Judaism, and other faith and philosophical traditions. His leadership abilities have enabled him to translate a personal journey into a community of others who are attracted to or can identify with his journeys into, out of, and back through Judaism after absorbing wisdom from other expressions of Judaism and other spiritual traditions.

Rabbi Ingber also spoke to another type of fusion. While not completely comfortable with the pervasive consumerist mentality of many Americans, he stated that “the older model of covenantal community must meet newer model of consumer America in a place where we will allow spiritual marketplace to tell us what practices are and are not working.”[15] He clarified that he does not believe that the marketplace should dictate the practice of Judaism, nor should traditional rabbinic hierarchies do so. Rather, he spoke about the need for balancing a “top down” and “bottom up” approach, in which rabbis lead responsibly and responsively. A dynamic tension of this kind of fusion, that seeks to hold on to mission focus and market sensitivity, is a generator of innovation.

While we did not study other Jewish communities like the Kavana Cooperative[16] or The Kitchen[17] for this publication, they also illustrate other examples of fusion.

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