Mail.Liberal-Judaism

• Steven Levy (B.E.S.T.) <v-bsl@microsoft.com>

• Steven Levy <v-bsl@microsoft.com>

• mbmedwic@colby.edu (matthew b. medwick)

• CARIAN@american.edu
• Steven Levy <v-bsl@microsoft.com>

• CARIAN@american.edu

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 12:59:30 PDT
From: Steven Levy (B.E.S.T.) <v-bsl@microsoft.com>
Subject: Alternative Congregations

Is it just Seattle, strange city that she is, or is there a Jewish quest and
rebirth occurring in not-quite-mainstream ways in other places?  A recent
article in Moment (a magazine for congregations, I think; someone passed it on
to me) suggests that it might be happening elsewhere too.

One of the participants in an internal EMail Jewish-issues list here, Don
Goldberg, started a thought-provoking discussion with a post on alternative
congregations.  With his kind permission and with the hope of furthering the
discussion, I'd like to pass it along....

"Alternative congregation" is an odd choice of words.  Here's an explanation:

Most traditional reform temples are attended by folks who have their kids in
religious school or by people attending a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, funeral,
etc.  Some are more social meeting places for networkers with little spiritual
uplift or deeper meaning.  To many, especially single folks who are struggling
economically as well as spiritually, these traditional shuls look like liberal
humanist political organizations with cliques, clubs and building funds.
Nothing wrong with such causes, but the "spiritual" aspect seems to take a
back seat.

Other traditional congregations use Hebrew without taking time to explain it
to the majority of Jews who never really got grounded in the tradition.  It is
therefore traditionally correct, but practically inaccessible to those
yearning for deeper meaning in their middle years, by taking smaller, measured
steps.

Then there are "non-traditional" congregations who change the liturgy and
modernize the service.  Often the first thing they do is to take what appears
sexist out of the traditional prayers and make it seem more egalitarian.  Some
take out a lot of Hebrew.  Some add contemporary material and commentary.  I
think that "nontraditional" is a catch-all phrase for "I know I'm Jewish, but
I'm bored every time I go to temple.  Since there isn't anything here that I
can really relate to, I'll make this 'contemporary and meaningful.' "

Nontraditional groups, by nature, are rebelling against traditional shuls.  I
don't think they're rebelling against the Jewish Tradition, just against the
way it's been presented in the U.S. over their generation.  Probably most
"alternative" temples fall into the "nontraditional" category.  I, personally,
think Eitz Or [in Seattle] falls into this category.  I'm sure it's open to
debate.

The other "Alternative" temple (to me) is one that looks for meaning within
the ancient traditions of Judaism, its deepening path of meditation and
rituals.  These temples aren't rebelling.  They're recreating the spiritual
intent in an accessible context.  In fact, in my discovery, such an
alternative temple may even serve as a bridge to the traditional temple, that
people can bring their Jewish spiritual discovery back to such places instead
of expecting to get it from the Rabbi.

It's an interesting fact that the majority of folks in cults are Jews,
searching for deeper meaning of their own spirit and not finding it in their
traditional Rabbis and other Jewish spiritual leaders.

Jewish leaders are finally beginning to wake up to this fact and most of them
really don't have a clue about how to bring their seekers ( many having been
through decades of therapy and personal growth work) back to the fold.
Perhaps we're reaping the fruits of our parents' need to assimilate into the
American mainstream.  Many Jews are finding inner peace with Eastern
traditions, but have a sense that such peace of mind is available somehow
through the Jewish path.  Some have discovered Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism,
but often this is "taught" as an intellectual exercise, rather than as a way
of self-realization.  Also, many of the best teachers are Orthodox, and that
frightens the more traditional (secular) Jew away.

Others have found a need for structure in their lives and have gone to a
modern orthodoxy.  Eish Ha Torah's Discovery weekend introduces such a
possibility.  It is promoted very well, yet can be shocking to a traditional
reform Jew.  Yet its intentions of bringing Jewish traditions back into
practice is wonderful.

Your question on "What is an alternative temple?" has clearly opened up a good
topic for discussion.  I know I've answered it in too many words, and may not
have answered your question at all.  By the way, what was your Jewish
background?  Mine was horrid.  Luckily, I discovered a Synagogue for
Meditation in '82 in L.A. and I've since been able to integrate Jewish
Chanting and philosophy into my life.  I'm in no way orthodox -- more paradox,
but it seems to work for me. [Q: Is this congregation Makom Ohr Shalom led by
Ted Falcon? -- Yr. Mod.]

Don.

Return to Table of Contents

Date: Thu, 17 Sep 92 07:59:02 PDT
From: Steven Levy <v-bsl@microsoft.com>
Subject: Re: An ill-worded recent post

In V2.33, I wrote a note that took off from some things that Alexander 
Herrera had written to discuss ways in which we perceive ourselves as Jews.

A subscriber of the list has pointed out to me that the piece could be 
read as attacking or insulting Alex.

I most certainly did not mean to do that.  I tried to make that clear 
in two places in the post.  If I didn't succeed there (and if one 
reader thinks the tone might be insulting, than it *was* an insult, 
however unintended), I hope this post will clarify the matter.

While I may not always agree with Mr. Herrera, I respect his views and 
have no intention of insulting them, or him.

Alex, my apologies directly.

Steven Levy
cc: mdcsc!ah@uunet.uu.net (Alexander Herrera)

Return to Table of Contents

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1992 22:13:14 -0500
From: mbmedwic@colby.edu (matthew b. medwick)
Subject: Hillel in Maine needs a Speaker

This message has no very little to do with the e-mail; however, since you
might be a person who could help, I'll ask.  The Hillel at Colby College is
in dire need of a speaker for a bagel brunch which is coming up in three
weeks.  We have limitted funds and are located in Waterville, Maine.  I you
have any suggestions or connections, please write back. Thank you very
much. 

Matt Medwick

Return to Table of Contents

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 92 06:57:32 EDT
From: CARIAN@american.edu
Subject: Re: Jewish Missionary

I agree with Alex Herrera that we should seek converts, while at the same time
understanding the objections of those who demur.

The difference between our "seeking" and that of Christian missionaries is one
of tone. I presume Alex doesn't mean we should tell non-Jews that they will
"burn in hell (r)" if they don't become Jewish. Rather to share with those who
are not Jewish the beauty of Judaism and the opportunities it offers them for
bringing meaning and sanctity into their lives.

We need a massive project of outreach as well as of "inreach" -- to share the
joy of Judaism with those who are already Jews as well as those who aren't.

Of course the best way to do that is through personal example, but explaining
to non-Jews that conversion is a possibility strikes me as a good idea too.

Rabbi Charles Arian
CARIAN@american.edu

Return to Table of Contents

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 92 08:18:17 PDT
From: Steven Levy <v-bsl@microsoft.com>
Subject: Re: Jewish Missionary

Alexander Herrera writes (in V2.35) about encountering some Christian
missionaries and telling them, "Is that so!  Well...I'm a JEWISH missionary."
He later notes:

> Jews need to let the religious community know that we seek converts.  We
> need to do that not just to increase our ranks, but to let Christians know
> we are open, and to let non-affiliated Jews (and some affiliated Jews) know
> that Judaism has something good to offer the whole world and not just the
> Jewish world.

A number of years ago, a friend who is a proselytizing Episcopalian asked me
about converts to Judaism.  I replied, half in jest, "Why would someone want
to take on that burden?"  I explained that while we're not a closed or
secretive religion, we're a religion of obligations and burdens -- some
imposed by Torah (or Torah-based ethics), some by tradition, some by history,
and many by the way other groups have treated us.  It's a life we're born to,
I said; I find Judaism a good house in which to dwell, but I wouldn't expect
others to see it that way.

I never gave it much further thought until a few years ago.  A non-Jewish
woman whom I was seeing expressed interest in my Jewish background.  She was
moved by the Seder I hosted, and by my Jewish approach to ethics and to life
itself.  We started attending services together, and found herself drawn to
the religion -- and especially to that sense of obligation.  She found that
Judaism answered -- or at least offered the promise of an answer -- many of
her spiritual needs.  After much consideration and study, she has become a
Jew.

I look back on the answer I gave my friend.  I see in it both the arrogance of
youth and my disgust with proselytizers.  I'm older now, if no wiser; but
proselytizing still turns me off.  I'm now convinced that Judaism has
something to offer some people who are now outside the religion (including, as
Alex suggests, non-Jewish Jews).  How do we let people know it's there,
without coming on like missionaries, Mormons, or Moonies?

Return to Table of Contents

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 92 06:50:58 EDT
From: CARIAN@american.edu
Subject: Re: Kosher Cheeseburgers

There *are* some strict Orthodox groups who don't eat bananas.

*Not* because of some perceived resemblance to a human hand but because of
doubt as to which blessing is to be said before consumption of bananas.

While we tend to speak of "banana trees" and might thus think the blessing
would be "boreh p'ri ha-etz" ("Who hath created the fruit of the tree") as one
says over, e.g. apples or peaches, bananas are actually a grass.  (I learned
this during the Lebanon War as a volunteer on a kibbutz, picking bananas.)

This is an issue that has concerned me since, but not to the point of not
eating bananas. I say the blessing "boreh p'ri ha-adama" ("Who hath created
the fruit of the earth").

Rabbi Charles Arian
CARIAN@american.edu

Return to Table of Contents

"It is not our task as liberal Jews to complain about the Orthodox attitude or to be bullied by it, but rather to choose our legitimate path according to the inner logic and development of liberal Judaism" (Rabbi Walter Jacob)

Previous Issue: v2n36		Next Issue: v2n38
MLJ Home Page	Return to Retrieval Form