New Member Shabbat

As I lay in bed last night I began to think about what it means to be part of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Some of us grew up here and this congregation has been our primary contact with Jewish life since our childhoods. Some of us came here from other cities as adults where we had experienced life in larger, more populated Jewish centers. Others of us chose to begin our Jewish journeys with this congregation, finding new customs and traditions that added meaning to our lives. We all have our own histories that have brought us to this place.

This summer I studied the period of the destruction of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. Had history played out like the Romans had hoped, Judaism would have perished when our center of worship was burned. Fortunately, synagogues had been established in communities outside of Jerusalem prior to the destruction and they became the new centers of religious life. Synagogues were proof positive that adaptations were needed to insure our survival and they could be successful.

So you might say, that was then, but what are we doing now to insure our survival as a vibrant community in this small Midwestern enclave? If you think about it we are actually making new accommodations and adaptations to the ways we have always done things.

First, I am in frequent contact with Rabbi Emanuel of Congregation Bnai Jeshurun. We sit together and plan our calendars together. We think of times the entire affiliated Jewish community can gather to celebrate holidays and then we design those experiences so they will accommodate both the Reform and Conservative approaches to Jewish observance. Our adult education program has also evolved into a joint adult-ed program for both congregations. I have been involved in Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies at the Temple and have worked with their children who desire more skill training in chanting a Haftorah and reading Torah. When I was growing up, none of these things would have even been on the radar screen of our congregation or its spiritual leadership

Having a lay-leader is a new experience for this congregation. It has allowed us to discover our ability to pull together to ensure that services, holiday observances, lifecycle events, and community activities continue in our own building. We did not miss a beat when our spiritual leadership resigned. We understood that we cared about continuing the legacy of this Congregation and that if we each did something small, the results would be large.

Some have taken positions on the board, some have taken an active role in our services, some have helped bake for lifecycle events or provided their support at times of loss for other congregants. There is no single way to be a participant in the life of this congregation. The important thing to remember is that any small act of participation will help make this a richer environment for all of us. If you have an idea, let us know. If you want to spearhead an “event” of a special project…your energy and expertise will be appreciated! We’re not large, but hopefully our hearts are large enough to embrace each member and make each feel valued and important. We thank you for joining our synagogue family.