Recent Events

On Yom Kippur morning, the Congregation met 4 different Rabbis each exposing the general beliefs of their movements. Congregants were then asked to vote on which belief most clearly matched their own with regard to theology and practice. Voters did not need to be consistent i.e. they could vote Black for God, and Blue for practice. The results were revealed during our Afternoon Service. We discovered that the Red resonated among the majority in both God and Practice (Black was second, Blue a distant third, and only one vote was given to White). The exercise led to many interesting “Break-fast” discussions. Shireinu often engages our participants in these kind of challenging and creative programs.

Rituals and Belief Around Yom Kippur

God:

Rabbi Black: Personal relationship, many different forms of faith, Language about God is “traditional” yet with a personal application, God imagery plays both a traditional role and/or modern interpretation.
(Reform)

Rabbi Red: Always evolving to meet contemporary needs, Study tradition and make community decisions on appropriate and meaningful rituals e.g. liturgy is determined by the community, community strives to strengthen ties to larger Jewish community. Prayer is written by humans to create a sense of spirituality within the community. Must see a current/modern need for the ritual or practice. No judgment imposed on whether or not you follow the law.
(Reconstructionist)

Rabbi White: Supernatural, Mystical God, Inscribing us in the Book of Life, Judge, Healer, Forgiver, Hears our prayers, God as illustrated in the Torah.
(Orthodox)

Rabbi Blue: Supernatural God with personal interpretation, God is a metaphor as the author of Book of Life, God aware of human events.
(Conservative)

Practice:

Rabbi Black: Educated Choice, Tzedakah (acts of righteousness, love and kindness) is stressed as a practice, choose between ethical and ritual observance with the stress on ethical. More important that you donate food than fast.
(Reform)

Rabbi Red: Always evolving to meet contemporary needs, study tradition and make community decisions on appropriate and meaningful rituals e.g. liturgy is determined by the community. Community strives to strengthen ties to larger Jewish community. Prayer is written by humans to create a sense of spirituality within the community. Must see a current/modern need for the ritual or practice. No judgment imposed on whether or not you follow the law.
(Reconstructionist)

Rabbi White: Fast, Repent, Afflict our souls, Beat our chest, Pray, Ask for forgiveness between ourselves and God, binds us to covenant with God. Understand our lives are in God’s hands. Our observance is dictated by laws in the Talmud.
(Orthodox)

Rabbi Blue: God gave Laws, Rabbinic leaders interpret, practice defined by Rabbinic authority i.e. following the Talmud and Jewish law, tradition is vital and must be preserved, fasting is required (if able), actively strive to make amends with humans in order to strengthen Klal Israel (community of Israel).
(Conservative)