Gideon Grinstein

“Flexigidity: The Secret of Jewish Adaptability and the Challenge and Opportunity Facing Israel” (2013)

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.