Transcript Entry Points and Pathways of Jewish Engagement

Entry Points and Pathways
of Jewish Engagement
Eli Freedman: Rabbi
Catherine S. Fischer: Director of Community
Engagement
October 26, 2016
OUR VISION
Our vision is to awaken our human spirit to the possibilities within
and between us. We create a Jewish community of profound
connections through transformative study, prayer, and urban
engagement. Standing on the shoulders of our historic
congregation's founders, we dedicate ourselves to ensuring the
future of the Jewish people. To pursue our vision we:
* Welcome all who come to explore or deepen their connection to Judaism and God
* Find strength in our diversity of perspective, age, gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, family
constellation, and socio-economic background
* Welcome interfaith families with open arms
* Rejoice with each other in times of joy and comfort each other in times of sadness
* Lift our voices in prayer, embracing the faithful and the skeptic
* Wrestle with the many faces of the Divine on our journeys of growth and spirituality
* Engage in the lifelong study of Torah, adding our voices to the generations of interpretation
* Repair the brokenness in our neighborhood and the world
Celebrate our connection to Israel and Jews globally, providing a forum for learning and discussion
Draw inspiration from the beauty of the musical, visual, and performing arts
Cultivate a commitment to Jewish life and Jewish identity in the next generation
Reflect, renew, and innovate in the spirit of Reform Judaism
Creating Profound Connections
Creating an inclusive Congregation
Invitation to participate fully in the life of the
congregation.
Membership: all members of an interfaith family are
considered full members of the congregation.
Governance: each member is welcome to participate in
synagogue life.
Ritual: each member is welcome to participate in ritual to
the extent they feel comfortable.
Creating Profound Connections
Vision Informs Pathways
•Welcome & Personal Connection
–Membership (for many, Jewish or not, it’s their first time, relevant)
•Worship
–Accessible (assumptions)
–Relevant (sermon and music choices)
–Welcoming and inclusive
–ShaBBQ
• Study in and out of the synagogue
–Entry level (e.g. Taste of Judaism, Introduction to Judaism, New Beginnings)
–20s & 30s study in local bar, hanging mezuzah
–Religious School (majority are interfaith families)
•Nodal Moments
–Life cycle, Caring Community
Creating Profound Connections
Audacious Welcoming
Among other things, Audacious Welcoming is ”... A
two way street where synagogue and stranger need
each other - not just teach new comers but for them to
teach us....
–Rabbi Rick Jacobs
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Greeter Training
Ambassador Program
Community Building Summit
Teacher in-service
Entry points
Creating Profound Connections
Conclusion
Higher purpose
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Vision Statement
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Approach & Pathways to Jewish Life
Practice consistent with vision strengthens
relationships and connection to Judaism.
Creating Profound Connections
When two people relate to each
other authentically and humanly,
God is the electricity that surges
between them.
- Martin Buber
Creating Profound Connections