Synagogue 3000's Synagogue Studies Institute has released, Reform and Conservative Congregations: Different Strengths, Different Challenges. U.S. Jewish congregational life is showing signs of stagnation, with few young adults, many older members and more than adequate sanctuary space, according to a new survey of Jewish congregational life. The survey, which included responses from leaders in 1,215 synagogues, offers the most comprehensive view of Reform and Conservative movement congregations to date. Conducted by sociologist Steven M. Cohen for the Synagogue Studies Institute of Synagogue 3000, the survey is part of the larger Faith Communities Today (FACT), a national data set of American religious congregations. The survey shows the Conservative movement is struggling, with smaller … Continue Reading
On the Influence of Camp
by Ramie Arian “That felt a lot like camp!” said the woman next to me at the conclusion of the Friday evening service during the recent Biennial of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Judging from her tone, she approved. Indeed, it had felt “a lot like camp,” I thought, though on first reflection, it was not quite clear why. Tefillah (worship) at camp is generally a relatively casual affair: with worshippers dressed in shorts or jeans, prayers offered by leaders - probably campers and counselors - who are lacking in formal skills, leading a congregation of up to a few hundred participants, mostly children. The music of the service is guided by songleaders who make up in enthusiasm for what they lack in training and polish. Often, the tefillah takes place in an outdoor setting of … Continue Reading
The World of the Synagogue and the Second American Jewish Revolution: Some Reflections
by Steven Windmueller, Ph.D. A global revolution is underway. It is most directly manifested in the marketplace and through the communications and technological revolution. These external forces have profoundly changed the nature of work, access to financial resources, how people live, and what are the core values around which they build their lives. The impact of these global and economic changes is also transforming communities and nonprofit institutions, including the world of the synagogue. These changes within Jewish life involve the emergence of new institutional models of religious and communal life, designed to offer meaning and access to a new generation of seekers and activists. Impact of Globalism: How do we engage and live in an interconnected world? In turn, how we govern … Continue Reading
The Relevancy of Today’s Synagogues
from an opinion piece by Rabbi Sid Schwarz in The Jewish Week: Are Synagogues Still Relevant? In many Jewish gatherings of professionals and lay leaders, fingers are being pointed at the synagogue as an increasingly irrelevant institution. The only Jewish institution that suffers greater criticism is the synagogue’s stepchild, the afternoon religious school. Jewish funders are more eager to fund alternatives to synagogues than innovations within synagogues. Benefitting from this trend are independent minyanim, outreach programs to non-traditional populations (e.g. 20-somethings, LGBTs, interfaith families, etc.), public-space Judaism, environmental programs and social justice initiatives. Indeed many of these new initiatives are benefiting from a burst of energy from the younger … Continue Reading
An Insider Speaks on Reform Judaism Today
excerpted from Reform Judaism Isn’t an Island by Rabbi David Ellenson These days, everyone seems to have something to say about what they think is wrong with Reform Judaism. We have heard that the Reform movement is, at best, in stasis and, at worst, facing a significant decline in its membership rolls. Some argue that Reform institutions are insufficiently nimble and overly bureaucratic. Others point to what they see as an underlying ideological or theological malaise, suggesting that Reform Judaism does not galvanize Reform Jews to acknowledge and act upon their covenantal obligations. Many of the critiques come from within our movement, others from outside it. Most are offered as constructive criticism, while a few are mean-spirited polemics. Amid this wave of criticism and … Continue Reading
The Changing Fortunes of America’s Religious Streams
Liberal Denominations Face Crisis as Rabbis Rebel, Numbers Shrink by Josh Nathan-Kazis Conservative Judaism’s membership rolls are in free fall. According to a strategic plan for renewal issued in February by the denomination’s congregational arm, the number of families served by synagogues belonging to what was once American Judaism’s leading stream has shrunk by 14% since 2001. In the denomination’s Northeast region, the number of families has dropped by 30%. The new draft strategic plan by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism proposes ways for the USCJ to regain some of that lost ground. And the plan comes, as it turns out, at a fraught moment not just for Conservative Judaism, but for all the synagogue organizations that anchor America’s liberal Jewish … Continue Reading
Borderline Views: Torah to Zion
by David Newman I have been privileged during the past 10 years to bring a number of Torah scrolls from the UK to communities in Israel. In most cases these have been scrolls which are either surplus to the synagogues in the UK or are from synagogues which have closed down and are disposing of their assets. The recipients are mainly young communities which require the minimum of one Torah scroll - two would be better - for weekly use, but do not have the necessary resources for initiating the writing of a new scroll. There are other needy recipients, not least army bases and some public institutions such as universities and hospitals. Even the trains bringing workers into Tel Aviv evry day have cars reserved for prayer services, and they too are in need of usable scrolls. These diverse prayer … Continue Reading
Debbie Friedman z”l
American Jewish singer and songwriter Debbie Friedman, who changed the voice of American Jewish spirituality and prayer, died today in a hospital in Orange County, California. Friedman had been hospitalized with pneumonia. Debbie Friedman has created a powerful and euphoric body of work. New York Times The heart of her musical activity is her emotionally stirring concerts. Billboard.com She is one of the foremost figures in contemporary Jewish music Los Angeles Times Over the course of her 36 year career, legendary American Jewish composer, singer, and recording artist, Debbie Friedman, has released over 20 albums (selling in excess of 500,000 units) and performed in sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and in hundreds of cities around the world. Her work has been lauded by industry critics … Continue Reading
Popular Jewish Singer and Composer Debbie Friedman in Critical Condition; Friends Launching Worldwide Spiritual Healing Effort
by Debra Nussbaum Cohen A worldwide effort is underway to bring about healing for one of American Judaism’s most beloved composers of healing and other Jewish liturgy. Debbie Friedman is the widely-known composer of Jewish songs, including “Mishebeirach,” “Sing Unto God” and “Lechi Lach,” which have become standard parts of synagogue and camp life in Judaism’s liberal denominations. Friedman, who has long suffered with ill health but been private about the underlying cause, has developed pneumonia and is on a respirator, in a medically-induced coma in an Orange County, California hospital. Her sister Sheryl Friedman reports that as of January 7, the doctors’ measures have not yet succeeded in opening up her lungs. Close friends and colleagues are asking people worldwide to … Continue Reading
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