Editor's Notebook
The Changing Synagogue
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bserving Shabbat is the highlight of the week for
But, rabbi, aren't you diminishing your message? "No,"
Rabbi Nevins said. "We're trying to deepen our roots, not
many Jews. For others, Friday night or Saturday
abandon them. We want to introduce Jewish concepts into
have little to do with Shabbat, prayer or learning.
activities that people find attractive — more attractive per-
However, the beauty of Shabbat is that there's no
haps than sitting in a pew for three hours, although the
Shabbat-o-meter running. Shabbat is Judaism's spiritual
traditional main sanctuary service will continue."
equalizer, where neither wealth nor influence matters. Of
An anonymous donor gave $100,000 to spread over 10
all the Jewish experiences, it's the one that's most personal,
months
to keep down the cost for SYNergy goers. Adat
the easiest to customize to suit Jews of all stripes -- main-
Shalom
welcomes the entire Jewish community to experi-
stream, cultural, secular.
ence the synagogue energy.
In recent years, synagogues have
Adat Shalom President Paul Magy caught my attention
examined the role they play on Shabbat.
when he explained that Adat Shalom has a new mission
Studies reveal a decline not only in syn-
statement — "a very, very nice document." Bluntly hon-
agogue affiliation, but also in participa-
tion among members. So it's no surprise est, he then said: "The point and problem with mission
statements is that they are frequently meaningless. With
to see synagogue leaders opening new
SYNergy Shabbat, we're really trying to make a difference
gateways for congregants to express
in people's lives Jewishly. It's such a chal-
themselves on Shabbat
lenge for us at the synagogue, and at all
instead of clinging to the
ROBERT A. tried-but-now-worn "one
service fits all" approach.
"The point and problem with mis-
SKLAR
Yet
Shabbat
doesn't
pro-
Editor
sion statements is that they are fre-
vide the same attraction as
quently meaningless. With
the High Holidays, wed-
dings, picnics, speakers or special programs.
SYNergy Shabbat, we're really try-
Branded into my psyche is what Rabbi
ing to make a difference in people's
Ron Wolfson, who teaches at the University
lives Jewishly."
of Judaism in Los Angeles and is a provoca-
— Adat Shalom President
tive thinker about our Jewish future, said
Paul Magy
just as I joined the Detroit Jewish News in
1998. For baby boomers who have made it
materially, he said, "We're left with that great
Jewish institutions, when we see all of the
existential question immortalized by Peggy
choices that people have in society."
Lee: 'Is that all there is?' So we search for spirituality in
Shabbat dates to Mount Sinai. The Bible tells us "the
just about every place but the synagogue."
Lord blessed the Sabbath and made it holy." Shabbat is a
Synagogues now are realizing they need to be one of the
time for introspection — to break from business affairs,
first places people look for spirituality. Many local syna-
activities and frustrations. It's a time to renew body and
gogues have made joyful music and even dance central to
mind — and to enjoy family and friends. It's a time to
the Shabbat experience as a direct response to apathy
pray for healing and to remember loved ones. It's a perfect
among congregants.
time to discover Torah's still-relevant lessons. Much like
This came to mind as Rabbi Daniel Nevins described
the human spirit, Shabbat's reach is boundless.
the new, monthly SYNergy Shabbat at Adat Shalom
Only recently have synagogues imagined Shabbat as a
Synagogue in Farmington Hills. It begins Sept. 16-17.
family
draw. For how long have parents dropped their kids
The idea is to help all ages grow spiritually through less-
at
the
synagogue
door for a bar or bat mitzvah, then gone
starch-under-the-collar learning and mingling. The mix is
on
to
a
movie
theater,
shopping mall or spinning class?
broader to attract participants of varied interests — from
Said Rabbi Nevins: Its frustrating to congregations that
politics, prayer and discussion, to nature walks and games,
there's so much to be learned in the Jewish experience, so
to Kabbalat Shabbat band music and a post-Ha vda/ah
much to be celebrated; yet people feel that unless they put
comedy night. Even exercise options
on a suit and tie, sit in a pew and listen
like Pilates or basketball will dial into
passively as the cantor chants and the
Torah by connecting the life-giving act
Points To Ponder
rabbi preaches, then they have no place
of breathing to praise of God. Israel
in the synagogue on Shabbat."
themes will be integral.
There's no commandment to attend
"The focus is no longer only in the
If you go to synagogue on
synagogue. Still, it provides unique
sanctuary on Shabbat," said SYNergy
Shabbat, what draws you:
opportunities come Shabbat to re-ener-
Shabbat coordinator Rabbi Jason Miller
a sense of obligation or the
gize,
re-connect and re-focus.
of the University of Michigan Hillel.
anticipated experience?
Other
synagogues also have hip
He grew up at Adat Shalom.
names for Shabbat special program-
"We're answering a call that people
If you don't go regularly,
ming. Ultimately, programs like
want to find what they are looking for
what kind of promised
SYNergy Shabbat will be measured by
— and we hope they will find it in shul
experience or program-
how well they inspire Jews to love
on Shabbat," Rabbi Miller said.
ming would draw you and
Shabbat for Shabbat, not just as anoth-
"We're not going to let you have the
your kids?
er entertainment option. ❑
excuse that it's the same old," Rabbi
Nevins said.
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8/25
2005
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