a progressive Reform Jewish congregation |
2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa California 95404(707) 578-5519 fax: (707) 578-3967 email: [email protected] |
November 8, 2010
Since the Holy Days, I've been ruminating over the fact that the overwhelming majority of American Jews are profoundly alienated from their tradition. Sonoma County epitomizes this trend with a 12% affiliation rate. 12%! And, of those 12% who do associate themselves with the organized Jewish community, at most, 20% are regular attendees at religious services. Any way you look at it, the truth is, most Jews simply do not relate to Judaism in any of it's organized forms especially when it comes to the religious aspect of Jewish identity.
"... but I must confess not really understanding the degree of disconnect most Jews feel from Jewish Tradition."
About a year into Rabbinical School, I was on a fishing trip with the Dean of the seminary (his other religion is fly fishing as well), and he told me that, "if I was not prepared to accept the fact that what is the center of my life will be at the periphery of most of the people I serve, I should find another life's work". I have no regrets and have rarely looked back from my decision to leave business for the rabbinate, but I must confess not really understanding the degree of disconnect most Jews feel from Jewish Tradition.
Recently I sat in on part of a family education class for Stars, our religious school. The 3rd grade was learning about "God" and it was my charge to explore with their parents, what God meant to them, knowing that for many parents, this is a challenging subject. It was a relatively small group and the discussion was real. 5 out of the 6 parents in the discussion were openly agnostic and their ambivalence toward belief in a deity was equally reflected in their connection or lack there of to Jewish ritual, especially worship. The community was compelling, sermons could be worthwhile, a sense of connection to our shared heritage meant something, the music was nice, but worship as a religious act was a marginal experience and the liturgy itself, alienating in a number of ways.
Of course, this is not new news to me. So why am I awake about it now? I am not sure, but I think part of my new interest in where people really are vis a vis our Tradition has to do with the lifecycle of the congregation. It was easy to focus on other things when we were building the community in every way. Now that much of our dream is a reality, I am beginning to look deeper into who we are and who we can become and I want more! I love Shomrei Torah. She is my life's work (so far) in many ways and I am having trouble accepting the fact that so many Shomrei Torans find Jewish ritual in general and avodah/worship specifically, meaningless.
Is there a way to bridge the gap? Is it education, outreach, Facebook? I don't want to pander or act with hubris thinking, 'I know what people need even if they don't!' I also am not ready to just give up on the value that our community, the majority our community, could have a Holy Day experience more than one time a year.
August 16, 2010
I�ve been ruminating on the proposed mosque near the site of the 9/11-terror attack.
While I understand the emotions swirling around the mosque question, once one regains ones rational faculties, I really don�t see the issue. Is this not America, where property rites trump almost all others? Are not freedom of religious expression and equal protection under the law, foundational principles of our democracy? Regardless of how we might feel, it�s simple; they own the property, it�s zoned for that use, they have every right to build the mosque there, end of story, as far as I am concerned.
Well, ok, there may be more to the story, but not about whether they can build their mosque. In my mind the story continues like this... What does it say about American society that we are so quick to jettison basic rights in an expression of our outrage toward radical Islam? Another question; can we even differentiate between radical Islam and more moderate forms? I do understand the fear factor and I think, in part, it is real; there is a great animosity in much of the Arab Moslem world towards �The West� and America especially (the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan haven�t helped much!). It�s also not clear how moderate any form of Islam can be, at least as it is currently practiced. And, from a Jewish perspective, the Anti-Semitism (not to mention the Anti-Israel rhetoric) in the Arab, Moslem world is pervasive and mainstream.
Nevertheless, we can not give in to our fears. We also most remember that it is the Rule of Law in America that has made America such a great place for the Jews. Any weakening of this great foundation of American Society is a threat to what makes America great for everyone, including us!
August 9 2010
The Vietnamese Buddhist Thic Nhat Han taught me the deeper meaning of �motzi� , the blessing we say over bread. In his book, Peace In Every Step, he writes that �a poet can see clouds in a piece of paper�. What he means is that, with the right sight, one can see the whole chain of Being that culminates in what ever object you are observing. For the paper it would be rain, the growth of a tree, the birth of a baby who would some day grow up to cut and process the tree, and so forth. How does this related to �motzi�?
A piece of paper may inspire a poet but for a Jew there is nothing better than food � symbolized by bread � to get the juices flowing (And what about a Jewish Poet?). The literal translation of �motzi� is something like, �Blessed are you God, Sovereign of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the ground.� Have you ever seen bread shooting out of the ground? This is where Thic Nhat Han comes in because until I read his little book and the quote about a poet and a piece of paper, I�d never really thought about what the words of �motzi� really mean; I just reflexively said the prayer. But, with his insight the words came together in a new, deep and profoundly Jewish way: bread doesn�t shoot out of the ground! When we say �motzi� we are acknowledging and thanking God for the whole process that results in the bread. This process includes in it a Divine � Human partnership which we also bring to consciousness; God makes the seed that (miraculously) can grow into a plant, but we are the gardener and the baker. Wow! When you really think about it, there is a lot to a piece of bread, and great depth to a simple prayer like �motzi� if you say it with the right kavanah/intension.
Thic Nhat Han calls this understanding of the interrelated nature of things �interbeing�, we Jews say �Shemah Yisrael, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad!"
Congregation Shomrei Torah, Sonoma County's progressive Reform Jewish community, welcomes congregants from Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Windsor,Petaluma, Healdsburg, Kenwood, Graton, Glen Ellen, Guerneville, Cotati, Geyserville and the North Bay region.