Synagogue Future

Since the High Holidays, the 'What is a Synagogue' Committee has met regularly to discuss what a re-envisioned synagogue might look like, and how to engage the congregation in discussion about it . Following Rabbi Larry Hoffman's talk last fall, the committee read his book, Rethinking Synagogues, as well as Spiritual Community: The Power to Restore Hope, Commitment and Joy, by Rabbi David Teutsch (August 2005).

Below is committee member, Carol Chinn’s review of the book. We hope members will join us in June 2, 7:30PM at the Annual Meeting to participate in a community conversation about "What is A Synagogue?"

Teutsch describes 21st century Jewish life as more atomized and individualistic than in the maybe idealized close knit society of our orthodox grandparents and great-grandparents. With the loss of these close ties has come the feeling of isolation and frustration, which he believes can be cured by the transformative effect of being part of a community.  Read more»

As you are by now probably aware, a few of us have been meeting and trying to move the issues arising from Rabbi Strassfeldʼs initial discussion of a vision for the future of the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah last year, and on subsequent occasions, forward. Our goal was to study and brainstorm, and then use what we had learned to present a beginning point from which the congregation could take up the baton and move toward making some changes in synagogue life.  Read more»