The progressive reform synagogues I have attended have been laser-focused on the hostages, prayers for Israel, and antisemitism for example. It is meaningful and important to keep the memory of the hostages alive, and to focus on antisemitism. But, it becomes increasingly difficult not to see how narrow their point of view has become, and I've found myself stopping attending altogether. After 10/7, I immediately found myself in need of community. Now, I find those same communities mired in tribalism, and I find myself being too uncomfortable to stay.
So many of our institutions have turned inward, when what we need is the courage to be expansive.
This is such an interesting read for me as someone who hasn't been a part of a synagogue since I was bat mitzvahed. My long-ago lived experience was so different - my most precious artifact from the Jewish day school I attended was social conscious and a sense that I had personal responsibility and ability to make positive change in the world. I left, though, because the same school taught only halacha, no spirituality, and a mean, vindictive God who I just couldn't buy into. At least, that was what I learned, whatever they intended to teach. It's taken me decades (and Buddhism) to take another look at Judaism and imagine a place in Jewish community that i might want to inhabit. I appreciate your leadership into the heart.
Yasher Koach!!!! You have eloquently put into words what I have been feeling, particularly about Beth David. Beth David has given up their moral compass to play it safe. I am trying to work within to change that, but quickly becoming convinced that turning around this Titanic may not be possible.
I didn't even notice her till I heard her. And it cracked me up! My cat often makes appearances in my video interviews. She comes out of nowhere to land at the top of my chair. I never fail to be startled. So I get it. But it was quite funny.
Thank you - this speaks to me.
The progressive reform synagogues I have attended have been laser-focused on the hostages, prayers for Israel, and antisemitism for example. It is meaningful and important to keep the memory of the hostages alive, and to focus on antisemitism. But, it becomes increasingly difficult not to see how narrow their point of view has become, and I've found myself stopping attending altogether. After 10/7, I immediately found myself in need of community. Now, I find those same communities mired in tribalism, and I find myself being too uncomfortable to stay.
So many of our institutions have turned inward, when what we need is the courage to be expansive.
This is such an interesting read for me as someone who hasn't been a part of a synagogue since I was bat mitzvahed. My long-ago lived experience was so different - my most precious artifact from the Jewish day school I attended was social conscious and a sense that I had personal responsibility and ability to make positive change in the world. I left, though, because the same school taught only halacha, no spirituality, and a mean, vindictive God who I just couldn't buy into. At least, that was what I learned, whatever they intended to teach. It's taken me decades (and Buddhism) to take another look at Judaism and imagine a place in Jewish community that i might want to inhabit. I appreciate your leadership into the heart.
Yasher Koach!!!! You have eloquently put into words what I have been feeling, particularly about Beth David. Beth David has given up their moral compass to play it safe. I am trying to work within to change that, but quickly becoming convinced that turning around this Titanic may not be possible.
Return again, return again, return to the land of soul. Thank you, Rabbi Sandra! You are an inspiration.
Yasher koach R Sandra. Beautifully said. And yes, your snoring pup cracked me up. A wonderful comic counterpoint to your urgent words. 🐶
Great piece. But was your do snoring in the background?
Yes she was. I made a note of it in the text. She was knocked out on the chair 💤
I didn't even notice her till I heard her. And it cracked me up! My cat often makes appearances in my video interviews. She comes out of nowhere to land at the top of my chair. I never fail to be startled. So I get it. But it was quite funny.