I often use this space to post my weekly sermon and d'var Torah. Today, however, I want to use it to talk about something that has been rearing its head in the Jewish world (including in our own congregation) that I find difficult to understand. I have no problem discussing institutional changes, but I do find it difficult to understand the idea of a synagogue as a "fee for service" institution. The attitude of many Jews these days is that "I will pay my dues" and when I feel the need I will partake in some of the offerings of the synagogue. In many ways, it is somewhat like the attitude I used to have about my gym membership. I didn't really like exercising, but I took out a membership in case I had the time or inclination to go workout. If time or inclination presented themselves, I wanted to be able to exercise in a setting of my choice. I counted on others to either pay their gym dues or use the facility enough to keep it open for the rare times that I wanted to use it.
I recognize that gyms expect that to happen, but synagogues do not. Synagogues count on community....people participating because they understand the advantages of doing so not only for themselves but for others. When ten gather, parts of the service can take place. Without ten, communal prayer falls apart. With only ten, it is difficult to actually carry out the parts of a Shabbat service, not to mention the feeling of "sadness" that hovers over those who are participating because the sense of community seems to be lacking.
I'm at a loss. How will there be a functioning religious organization for Jews who want to observe the holidays, Shabbat, and lifecycle events if the main attitude towards services is "I don't really feel the need to do that now, but I will count on others to keep it going for me until I do need or want it" ? Will we be able to continue to bury our dead, hold shiva minyanim, celebrate the births of our children with a brit milah or naming ceremony if we only gather for the events that directly affect us? Will we be able to continue having services for Shabbat if our numbers become so low that we cannot gather a sizable group to share the day together? When did the concept that "all of Israel" is responsible for one another recede into the background? Help me understand what is happening....it baffles me!
I grew up going to shul with my mom and siblings every Friday night and Saturday. I noticed even at a young age that everyone that was there, wasn't there every week or even wasn't there on both Friday night and Saturday. I never thought much of it, because there were always a lot of people. When a became a member of T.I. many many years ago there were lots of people attending services. My family and I attended for the holiday and other special occasion. Still lots of people. After my children were done with Religious school. We stopped coming on a regular basis. I was uncomfortable with many of the problems that were happening within the shul with the members and the Rabbi's. When I went back I was astonished at the lack of members and people attending services. We had lost a bunch of regular members. We were even having trouble making a minyan for the second day of Passover and other second day holidays. I had never giving those times a thought there wouldn't be plenty of people because it was a holiday. But I guess many people didn't feel that way. There were times we did not have minyon on Friday nights. It was the same few every Friday night, so when someone was sick or out of town we didn't have a minyon. This really woke me up, but not enough. Until my own mom died. I would go to shul to say Kaddish and we would not have a minyon. I got scared so I started coming regularly and seeing on a regular basis this happening to many people. I got even more scared but not just for myself as much as for my own children and other congregants. The thought that there someday may not be a shul in Lincoln Nebraska for my kids to go to say Kaddish for me when I die, really scared me.
ReplyDeleteI saw may people at the the Hanukkah party today (Sunday) Some I believe were once regulars, some maybe just went for special occasion and holidays. It was really nice to see them. It would even be nicer to see them on a regular basis. Because I think if something doesn't change here in our Jewish community soon, there won't even be any place to gather to mourn or celebrate. Please don't let that happen, not for us, our kids or our grand kids.
BRENDA : There are those among us in whom the Soul has a yearning. The shul is more than a basketball court; it is more than a place for the taste buds; it is more than a place for game night, an auction, a yard sale, even for a party. It is the place where many among us go for solace and reflection. It is the place where our souls may search for meaning. [Brenda 12-7-10]
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