Over the last few years, I’ve had many conversations with Jewish people who feel isolated and feel like they don’t belong to a synagogue or can’t find a synagogue that speaks to them.
Yes. Yes yes yes to all this. It's so sad to see so many Jewish communities still suffering from the same blindness that drove me out decades ago. I know some people learn slower than others but I think it's long past time for Jewish established institutions to recognize these problems and do better.
Thank you Rabbi Sandra for shining a light on this movement. As someone who has dancing at the margins of various Jewish communities, and appreciating the proliferation of alternative spaces, it is vital that mainstream Jewish institutions come to see what must be done to maintain the actual unity of the Jewish people in this time of chaos and crisis. L’shavuah tov v’chaim tovim.
Sandra, I totally agree. As a traveling worship leader/musician/educator I'm in more than 11 different synagogues, havurot, and online comminities 52 weeks a year. Each community has its own 'personality'. Some cater to an older congregation, some to younger, some embrace LGBTQIA+ (my daughter is transgender btw and very active in one of my communities), others People of Color, Interfaith, etc, etc...no one community is skilled enough to be fully 'all things to all people'. And yes, too often there is the sense of being judged based on what one knows Jewishly, or what 'rules' - kashrut, etc - one follows. From music - where some congregants want 'traditional' - classical style singing, to no instruments at all, to modern songs and tunes - to creative interpretation or sticking to the 'original' text translation..to all Enlish to all Hebrew..communities struggle to find what 'kehillah' means to them and how to embody it. There are many choices and morr access to them through zoom, internet, stream as well...even pre-recorded options so people can 'observe' Shabbat when they want..whether its Fri/Sat or Tuesday or whenever. For me almost anything that opens up the tent and invites us into Judaism is more welcome than those who might put a fence around Torah and try to keep me (or others) away...
I love your musings especially about connection or actually feeling disconnected. And the hierarchy that sadly exists in all faith communities. I can’t afford to subscribe to every single Substack thread, but I can give encouragement and sincere thanks.
Yep. I find most of my Jewish community through volumteering with social justice orgs. And sometimes special holiday events at synogogues. Will be harder as I age out of the 20s-30s demographic but plan not to have kids. Most synogogues don't have much programing for childless adults in their 40s and 50s
Yes. Yes yes yes to all this. It's so sad to see so many Jewish communities still suffering from the same blindness that drove me out decades ago. I know some people learn slower than others but I think it's long past time for Jewish established institutions to recognize these problems and do better.
Have you found an alternative for community?
I have, thank you. That's how I found you :)
Thank you Rabbi Sandra for shining a light on this movement. As someone who has dancing at the margins of various Jewish communities, and appreciating the proliferation of alternative spaces, it is vital that mainstream Jewish institutions come to see what must be done to maintain the actual unity of the Jewish people in this time of chaos and crisis. L’shavuah tov v’chaim tovim.
This essay wS very meaningful to me Rabbi Sandra. For the most part, my experience has been they talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
That’s sad
Sandra, I totally agree. As a traveling worship leader/musician/educator I'm in more than 11 different synagogues, havurot, and online comminities 52 weeks a year. Each community has its own 'personality'. Some cater to an older congregation, some to younger, some embrace LGBTQIA+ (my daughter is transgender btw and very active in one of my communities), others People of Color, Interfaith, etc, etc...no one community is skilled enough to be fully 'all things to all people'. And yes, too often there is the sense of being judged based on what one knows Jewishly, or what 'rules' - kashrut, etc - one follows. From music - where some congregants want 'traditional' - classical style singing, to no instruments at all, to modern songs and tunes - to creative interpretation or sticking to the 'original' text translation..to all Enlish to all Hebrew..communities struggle to find what 'kehillah' means to them and how to embody it. There are many choices and morr access to them through zoom, internet, stream as well...even pre-recorded options so people can 'observe' Shabbat when they want..whether its Fri/Sat or Tuesday or whenever. For me almost anything that opens up the tent and invites us into Judaism is more welcome than those who might put a fence around Torah and try to keep me (or others) away...
Appreciating you & your grateful musings to elevate us
We need you!! Todah Rabah ! Shavuah Tov, rebbe
Thank you ❤️
I deeply appreciate your writing.
Thank you ❤️
Thank you for covering so many issues many of which effect many of us.
Thank you and thank you for reading it
I love your musings especially about connection or actually feeling disconnected. And the hierarchy that sadly exists in all faith communities. I can’t afford to subscribe to every single Substack thread, but I can give encouragement and sincere thanks.
Rabbi, thank you for this deep and timely message. As always, you bring a perceptive and compassionate view.
Yep. I find most of my Jewish community through volumteering with social justice orgs. And sometimes special holiday events at synogogues. Will be harder as I age out of the 20s-30s demographic but plan not to have kids. Most synogogues don't have much programing for childless adults in their 40s and 50s