Can you imagine what kind of ancestor will you be…?
Jewish Futurism is a bold and visionary creative framework philosophy that blends design, spirituality, and technology to reimagine the future of Jewish identity, ritual, and ethics.
Imagining a Future of Harmony
Through the creation of speculative, high-tech spiritual objects and neon-illuminated aesthetics, Jewish Futurism dares us to imagine a future where technology and spirituality not only coexist but thrive together in harmony, offering opportunities for profound meaning-making. It builds on Judaism’s remarkable history of adapting to change and solving complex challenges, offering a vision for futures that deeply respect tradition while unlocking the transformative power of modernity.
Designing the Future of Jewish Identity
At its core, Jewish Futurism invites us to imagine and design a speculative Jewish future through art, design, and technology. This vision often manifests in the creation of immersive, high-tech spiritual objects and experiences, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive rituals. These innovations empower individuals by putting empathy at the heart of the universal design process, helping them connect more profoundly with their inner selves, honor their ancestral heritage, engage in meaning-making, and boldly reimagine their place in a rapidly evolving world.
Illuminating the Future with Neon Mysticism
Jewish Futurism is at the heart of my artistic vision, where neon-illuminated futuristic aesthetics take center stage. I use vivid colors, geometric designs, and glowing digital interfaces to create a sense of wonder and transcendence. This aesthetic, inspired by both cyberpunk and mystical traditions, becomes a bridge between the sacred and the futuristic. Through these bold and immersive visuals, I strive to help others rethink and rediscover Jewish spirituality and identity in ways that are deeply personal, relatable, and forward-looking. My work invites collective meaning-making by merging ancient traditions with speculative and contemporary expressions.
Philosophical Foundations for a Visionary Future
Jewish Futurism is deeply tied to Jewish thought and values, including:
Adaptation and Resilience:
Jewish history is a testament to an extraordinary resilience and adaptability—from exile and oppression to liberation and the digital age—showing that reinvention is woven into the Jewish experience. This adaptability informs Jewish Futurism’s embrace of change and innovation.
Ethical Speculation:
Jewish Futurism frames technological and societal changes through the lens of Jewish ethics, exploring questions such as, “How do we preserve human dignity in a world shaped by AI?” and “What is the role of spirituality in a hyper-connected, digital society?”
Mythmaking for the Future
Drawing from the storytelling traditions of Midrash, Jewish Futurism seeks to create new myths and narratives that help individuals engage in meaning-making and find purpose in an evolving world.
Philosophical Foundations for a Visionary Future
Kabbalistic cosmologies, Jewish culture has long explored speculative and imaginative futures. Examples of this continuity include:
| Era | Example | Description | Jewish Futurist Attributes | Source |
| Biblical | Messianic Prophecies | Jewish messianic visions, such as Isaiah’s call to “beat their swords into plowshares,” imagine an ideal future of universal peace and justice, foundational to utopian thought. | Visionary and utopian; anticipates a harmonious future. | Learn more |
| Biblical | The Story of Enoch | Enoch’s journey into the heavens and transformation into the angel Metatron reflects early Jewish engagement with speculative cosmology and ascension. | Speculative cosmology and transcendence. | Learn more |
| 12th-17th Century | Kabbalistic Cosmology | The Zohar’s exploration of divine emanations (Sefirot), nonlinear time, and cosmic interconnectedness resonates with speculative ideas of alternate realities and expanded consciousness. | Mystical exploration of interconnectedness and alternate realities. | Explore the Zohar |
| 16th Century | The Golem of Prague | The legend of Rabbi Judah Loew creating a Golem to protect the Jewish community reflects early Jewish engagement with artificial life and ethical creation. | Early exploration of artificial life and ethics. | Discover the Golem legend |
| 19th-20th Century | Zionist Utopias | Theodor Herzl’s Altneuland imagines a utopian Jewish homeland, while Ephraim Moses Lilien’s Art Nouveau illustrations merged Zionist ideals with innovative aesthetics. | Utopian vision tied to cultural renewal. | Read Altneuland |
| 20th Century | Avant-Garde Artists | Artists like El Lissitzky used Constructivist styles to reimagine Jewish identity (e.g., Had Gadya, 1919), blending Jewish motifs with bold futuristic designs. | Integration of tradition with futuristic abstraction. | Learn about Lissitzky |
| 20th Century (Sci-Fi) | Science Fiction and Jewish Themes | Isaac Asimov’s works on robotics, Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (2007), and William Tenn’s On Venus, Have We Got a Rabbi reimagines Jewish identity through speculative fiction. | Explores identity, resilience, and cultural adaptation in speculative contexts. | Explore Tenn’s work |
| 20th Century (Comics) | Jack Kirby’s The Fourth World | Kirby’s cosmic saga incorporates Jewish themes of justice, redemption, and resilience, drawing from his cultural heritage to imagine epic battles of good versus evil. | Symbolizes the struggle for justice and the potential for human redemption through mythic storytelling. | Discover Kirby’s Fourth World |
| 20th Century (Comics) | Superman’s Fortress of Solitude | Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, co-created by Jewish artists Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, reflects themes of exile, resilience, and identity as Superman finds solitude to reflect and recharge. | Explores the theme of sanctuary and the intersection of personal identity and cultural belonging. | Explore Superman’s origins |
A Jewish Futurist Design Process:
1. Start with Jewish Values
Step 1.1: Identify core Jewish ethical principles relevant to the project (e.g., Tikkun Olam for sustainability, Tzelem Elohim for human dignity, Pikuach Nefesh for life-saving innovations).
Step 1.2: Study relevant Jewish texts (e.g., Torah, Talmud, Kabbalah) to find inspiration and a foundation for the speculative design.
Step 1.3: Frame the project with a Jewish ethical lens (e.g., “How can we apply Shabbat principles to technology use in the future?”).
2. Identify the Future Challenge
Step 2.1: Define a specific issue or question to address, rooted in Jewish concerns:
Example: “How can Jewish rituals evolve in a space-colonized world?”
Step 2.2: Use a “What if?” format to frame the challenge:
Example: “What if synagogues existed entirely in virtual reality?”
Step 2.3: Ensure the challenge reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, focusing on both Jewish continuity and future needs.
3. Use Jewish Speculative Thinking
Step 3.1: Explore Jewish speculative frameworks:
- Use Midrash to reinterpret or expand existing Jewish narratives.
- Incorporate Kabbalistic concepts like Ein Sof (infinity) or Olam HaBa (The World to Come).
Step 3.2: Imagine multiple scenarios for Jewish futures:
- Example: What might Passover look like on a planet with no agriculture? What symbols and rituals could adapt to this new context?
Step 3.3: Include historical and diasporic perspectives to consider global Jewish experiences.
4. Design the Prototype
Step 4.1: Choose a medium for the speculative design:
- Physical artifact (e.g., futuristic mezuzahs or tefillin).
- Narrative (e.g., short story, play, or comic about Jewish life in the future).
- Ritual (e.g., new blessings or ceremonies for future scenarios).
Step 4.2: Incorporate Jewish aesthetics and symbolism:
- Use Hebrew typography, traditional motifs, or ritual elements with a futuristic twist.
Step 4.3: Ensure the design reflects inclusivity and diversity within Jewish identity.
5. Engage the Community
Step 5.1: Share the prototype with a Jewish audience (e.g., synagogue groups, study sessions, or cultural festivals).
Step 5.2: Gather feedback on the emotional, spiritual, and practical impact of the design:
- Does it resonate with Jewish values?
- Is it inclusive of diverse Jewish perspectives?
Step 5.3: Facilitate discussions about the speculative idea’s implications for Jewish identity and practice.
6. Reflect and Refine
Step 6.1: Evaluate how well the prototype aligns with Jewish values and addresses the challenge.
Step 6.2: Revisit Jewish texts and traditions to refine or expand the speculative idea.
Step 6.3: Incorporate feedback to adjust the design for better cultural and ethical relevance.
7. Share and Inspire
Step 7.1: Present the final design at Jewish cultural events, art exhibitions, or conferences.
Step 7.2: Document the process (e.g., create a guide or video) to share the Jewish Futurist methodology with broader audiences.
Step 7.3: Use the design to spark dialogue about the future of Judaism, technology, and society, encouraging others to engage in Jewish Futurist thinking within Jewish identity.
The Potential of Jewish Futurism
Jewish Futurism dreams of building a future that is inclusive, equitable, and full of possibility, using the transformative power of art and design to spark invention and inspire innovation. By blending the speculative with the sacred, it offers a space to question traditional religious beliefs, imagine new rituals, and foster spiritual exploration. It opens possibilities for a metamodern Jewish identity that bridges past, present, and future.
Building Community Connections
Jewish Futurism also provides an opportunity to forge new community connections both within the Jewish world and beyond. By incorporating universal design principles and empathy-led innovation, it creates shared spaces for collective growth, interfaith collaboration, and cultural exchange. These connections allow Jewish Futurism to contribute to larger societal discussions on resilience, adaptation, and ethical innovation.
Aligning with Global Futurist Movements
Jewish Futurism aligns with other contemporary futurist movements like Afrofuturism, Solarpunk, and Indigenous Futurism by addressing themes of resilience, identity, and sustainability. Like these movements, it uses speculative storytelling, art, and design to explore the intersections of culture, technology, and ethics. Through this alignment, Jewish Futurism builds bridges between diverse futurist visions while maintaining its distinct focus on Jewish history, spirituality, and ethics.
Envisioning a Future of Illumination
As the Jewish people continue to navigate the rapid changes of technology and society, Jewish Futurism provides a framework for envisioning what comes next. By combining the creativity of art and design with the depth of Jewish spirituality and ethics, it inspires us to imagine futures where tradition and modernity illuminate one another.
Mike’s Jewish Futurist Artwork
