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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Empowered Judaism
Scholar to discuss independent
minyan movement.
Stacy Gittleman | Contributing Editor
R
abbi Elie Kaunfer, co-founder
it comes to a prayerful experience,
of the Kehilat Mechon Hadar
“millennial Jews have a clear sense on
minyan in New York City
exactly what they want.”
and author of Empowered Judaism,
“Somewhere in their lives, be it at
will explain how the independent
camp, or on a college campus, or on
minyan movement popular among
a trip to Israel, those who participate
millennial Jews is presenting both
in independent minyanim have expe-
challenges and opportunities for
rienced the ideal in what makes a
21st-century Judaism at “Revitalizing
successful prayer experience,” Kaunfer
Prayer and Community,” a scholar-in-
said. “Synagogues need to work with
residence weekend April 8-10 at B’nai
them in turn to see if they can achieve
Israel Synagogue in West
a shared goal in creating servic-
Bloomfield.
es where daveners can experi-
The weekend begins with
ence the power and the rhythm
6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
of prayer.”
services and dinner followed
Kaunfer cautioned against
by a discussion, “Can I Pray
big-tent Judaism as a way to
What I Don’t Believe?”
bring millennials into one par-
“Being a highly participa-
ticular congregation.
tory lay-led synagogue, B’nai
“The more general and
Rabbi Kaunfer
Israel feels a special attach-
generic a synagogue is, the
ment to Rabbi Kaunfer’s
less compelling it becomes,”
work,” B’nai Israel president Frank
he said. “If one truly wants to explore
Ellias said. “We look forward to both
the nuances of Jewish life, big-tent
sharing ideas and learning from him.”
Judaism is less compelling than decid-
Kaunfer will delve into the issue of
ing that one is going to take a specific
creating meaningful, approachable
approach to Jewish life and obser-
prayer while maintaining the integrity vance.”
of a congregation’s core intent and
Since its publication in 2010,
identity. In a consumer-driven society
Empowered Judaism caused some con-
that expects immediate results, want-
cern within organized Jewish branches
ing to feel something every time one
that this trend of the independent
prays — and feel it immediately — is
minyan can be seen as a threat to
“a tall order,” Kaunfer cautioned.
brick-and-mortar Jewish institutions.
“Prayer is difficult,” Kaunfer said.
But Kaunfer said this is hardly the
“Like many difficult things, it takes
case. Instead, this trend may save
practice and consistency to find a way
American Jewish life.
to connect to the Divine. More than
“Synagogues are not going any-
just heaping praises onto an ambigu-
where,” Kaunfer said. “Synagogues
ous being, prayer can have much
and independent minyanim need to
deeper possibilities. Sometimes it can
form symbiotic relationships. Why do
be a soothing repetitive mantra. At
people join a synagogue? Most join
other times, prayer is a frank dialogue
to have a place to go for Yom Kippur.
between God and the one praying.”
But there are some Jews who find their
Before he became a rabbi,
sense of awe and meaning, while still
Kaunfer worked as a journalist, banker in a Jewish framework, outside of a
and corporate fraud investigator. A
building. What synagogues need to
graduate of Harvard, he completed
do for this mobile generation that is
his doctorate in liturgy at the Jewish
so focused on individuality is to foster
Theological Seminary, where he was
a sense of intimacy and community,
also ordained. Kaunfer has been
which will provide support and coun-
named multiple times to Newsweek’s
ter other elements of their lives, which
list of the top 50 rabbis in America.
are largely in flux.”
Kaunfer said Jewish millennials
Shabbat dinner April 8 is $25 for adults, $15 for
tend to approach their Judaism with
the same entrepreneurial spirit as they children 6-12. A supervised youth room will fol-
low dinner. For details and dinner reservation
do in other aspects of their lives. The
forms, call (248) 432-2729 or go to www.
startup generation is innovating how,
facebook.com/bnaiisraelwb. B’nai Israel is at
where and even why Jews pray and
5085 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield.
gather as a Jewish community. When
*
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36 April 7 • 2016
spirituality »