RJ Blog

by Barb Shimansky, MSW I knew going into the Youth Engagement Conference that our Sunday morning trip to the First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) Church would be a highlight of the weekend. Learning how another faith organization engages their youth would surely provide some insight into how we as Jewish professionals can do the same. As we walked into the service, we were struck by church members who warmly greeted us outside on the sidewalk. This seemed like a no-brainer for creating a welcoming atmosphere until I put it into context for my own congregation in Wisconsin; standing outside the [...]

by Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser At a recent meeting to discuss worship services at Temple Beit HaYam, several congregants requested a “traditional” service on some Friday nights. When I said that I was not sure what they meant and asked for a definition of “traditional,” some people seemed surprised. The expression on their faces made me think that they questioned the sincerity of my question. How could a rabbi not know what “traditional” means? I can’t blame people for assuming that I knew what they meant. Jews use the word “traditional” all the time as a way to differentiate all that [...]

by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat S’lichot is coming up – the service of prayers designed to help get us “in the mood” for the Days of Awe, the formal kick-off to this season of teshuvah/repentance/return. In the tradition of which I am a part, S’lichot services are held on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah – assuming that there is a Saturday at least three days before the holiday. Because this year Rosh Hashanah begins on a Sunday, S’lichot services will be held a week prior – Saturday, September 8th. If you’ll permit me a baking metaphor: S’lichot services are the sourdough starter [...]

by Rabbi Ruth Adar So, you’ve been to Shabbat services once or twice, and found them mystifying. Or perhaps you have been invited to a bar mitzvah service and you have no idea what to do. Some questions that may have crossed your mind: What are people getting out of this? Does everyone here understand the Hebrew? What’s with all the bowing and stuff? What if I do something wrong? Here are  some ways to get something out of the experience as a beginner. There is no wrong way to be in a service as long as you are respectful. [...]

by Marv Kaminsky Okay, I’m an oddball: single, never been married, no children, live alone. I’m not even a doctor or a lawyer. My late father survived three concentration camps and went on to fight in Israel’s War of Independence. My brother’s an Orthodox rabbi. My Judaism – Reform Judaism – is the most important thing in my life. And I spent this high holiday season attending Reform services entirely online. There’s no Reform in the small city where I live; very little of any kind of Judaism. The nearest Reform congregation, 41 miles away, is ailing. I’m a member, [...]

By Ilana DeBare Posted on The Midlife Bat Mitzvah Blog I ushered at Shabbat services this morning, where a 13-year-old boy was becoming a Bar Mitzvah. This is one of the little routines at our temple — the family of an upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah is responsible for ushering at the service of a Bar or Bat preceding theirs. There are good reasons for this. It takes one little task off the to-do list of the harried Bar Mitzvah family, and it helps foster a sense of community — a sense that the Shabbat morning service belongs to everyone, [...]

by Linda K. WertheimerOriginally posted on Jewish Muse The notion made my skin crawl. Woo parents of tiny children to temple services then stick them behind a glass wall. We can then watch the service without worrying about disrupting the proceedings. The idea, touted by a participant this week at a conference about reaching out to Jewish families, was well-meaning, but showed a lack of trust in parents. Most of us are considerate enough to take a baby or toddler out of the sanctuary if wailing or whining starts. As Jews, we should roll out the welcome mat for young [...]