At first blush, General Motors and the Jewish Theological Seminary, two icons of industry and religion, seem to have little in common. But today both “brands” are nonetheless suffering losses of sales (GM) and membership (JTS/Conservative Judaism). As a result, GM and JTS are experiencing severe financial turbulence that some observers believe may threaten their very existence. Hopefully, GM and JTS will make the necessary changes and grow in strength. We need both of them.

(Rabbi Rudin, the American Jewish Committee’s senior interreligious adviser, is the author of the recently published book “The Baptizing of America: The Religious Right’s Plans for the Rest of Us.”)