Rethinking Synagogues

Rethinking Synagogues PDF Author: Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1580236405
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Book Description
A critical and challenging look at reinventing the synagogue, as the centerpiece of a refashioned Jewish community. “America is undergoing a spiritual revolution: only the fourth religious awakening in its history. I plead, therefore, for an equally spiritual synagogue, knowing that any North American Jewish community that hopes to be around in a hundred years must have religion at its center, with the synagogue, the religious institution that best fits North American culture, at its very core.” —from Chapter 1 Synagogues are under attack, and for good reasons. But they remain the religious backbone of Jewish continuity, especially in America, the sole Western industrial or post-industrial nation where religion and spirituality continue to grow in importance. To fulfill their mandate for the American future, synagogues need to replace old and tired conversation with a new way of talking about their goals, their challenges and their vision for the future. In this provocative clarion call for synagogue transformation, Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman summarizes a decade of research with Synagogue 2000—a pioneering experiment that reconceptualized synagogue life—providing fresh ways for synagogues to think as they undertake the exciting task of global change.

Rethinking Synagogues

Rethinking Synagogues PDF Author: Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1580236405
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 262

Get Book Here

Book Description
A critical and challenging look at reinventing the synagogue, as the centerpiece of a refashioned Jewish community. “America is undergoing a spiritual revolution: only the fourth religious awakening in its history. I plead, therefore, for an equally spiritual synagogue, knowing that any North American Jewish community that hopes to be around in a hundred years must have religion at its center, with the synagogue, the religious institution that best fits North American culture, at its very core.” —from Chapter 1 Synagogues are under attack, and for good reasons. But they remain the religious backbone of Jewish continuity, especially in America, the sole Western industrial or post-industrial nation where religion and spirituality continue to grow in importance. To fulfill their mandate for the American future, synagogues need to replace old and tired conversation with a new way of talking about their goals, their challenges and their vision for the future. In this provocative clarion call for synagogue transformation, Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman summarizes a decade of research with Synagogue 2000—a pioneering experiment that reconceptualized synagogue life—providing fresh ways for synagogues to think as they undertake the exciting task of global change.

Sacred Strategies

Sacred Strategies PDF Author: Isa Aron
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1566996236
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 295

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Book Description
Sacred Strategies is about eight synagogues that reached out and helped people connect to Jewish life in a new way—congregations that had gone from commonplace to extraordinary. Over a period of two years, researchers Aron, Cohen, Hoffman, and Kelman interviewed 175 synagogue leaders and a selection of congregants (ranging from intensely committed to largely inactive). They found these congregations shared six traits: sacred purpose, holistic ethos, participatory culture, meaningful engagement, innovation disposition, and reflective leadership and governance. They write for synagogue leaders eager to transform their congregations, federations and foundations interested in encouraging and supporting this transformation, and researchers in congregational studies who will want to explore further. Part 1 of this book demonstrates how these characteristics are exemplified in the four central aspects of synagogue life: worship, learning, community building, and social justice. Part 2 explores questions such as: What enabled some congregations to become visionary? What hindered others from doing so? What advice might we give to congregational, federation, and foundation leaders? The picture that emerges in this book is one of congregations that were entrepreneurial, experimental, and committed to 'something better.'

Tomorrow's Synagogue Today

Tomorrow's Synagogue Today PDF Author: Hayim Herring
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1566996805
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
In the past decade many intelligent people who care deeply about synagogues have written about them. So how is this book different from all other books? Many books take the overall mission of the synagogue as a given, and the recommendations around structure are really about incremental change. Tomorrow's Synagogue Today stimulates the reader to unleash the power of synagogues to exponentially influence people's Jewish lives. Herring offers creative scenarios to stretch the imagination about how more synagogues could become vibrant centers of Jewish life and how congregational leaders can begin to chart a new course toward achieving that goal. Key to his vision are the ways synagogues can collaborate with other synagogues and other Jewish institutions in the local Jewish community and around the globe, as well as with organizations outside of the Jewish community. Herring also explores structural change that is occurring in the rabbinate, as well as future roles rabbis may play and how rabbis might begin preparing for that future now. He shares insights from twelve rabbis from across the country about new models of synagogue mission, governance, and organization. He concludes with recommendations about the kinds of investments those who care about synagogues and the Jewish future need to make so that synagogues will remain a significant force in the Jewish community.

The Bridge to Forgiveness

The Bridge to Forgiveness PDF Author: Karyn D. Kedar
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580233244
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
Embrace forgiveness as a spiritual principle and discover a new closeness with the Divine. Forgiveness is a spiritual path that you embark on with intention and vision, purposefully seeking to bridge the gap between your hurt and suffering and your sense of wholeness and resilient inner light the light of God. This inspiring guide for healing and wholeness supplies you with a map to help you along your forgiveness journey. Deeply personal stories, comforting prayers and intimate meditations gently lead you through the steps that allow for the evolution of forgiving loss, anger, acceptance, learning, forgiveness and restoration. Tapping both ancient and contemporary sources for the nourishment and strength needed as you seek to rekindle inner peace, this book tenderly whispers encouragement as you are brought to and realize you are able to cross your own bridge to forgiveness."

The Synagogues of New York's Lower East Side:

The Synagogues of New York's Lower East Side: PDF Author: Gerard R. Wolfe
Publisher: Fordham Univ Press
ISBN: 0823250008
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 233

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Book Description
The classic book on the Lower East Side's synagogues and their congregations, past and present-now back in print in a completely revised and expanded edition

What You Will See Inside a Synagogue

What You Will See Inside a Synagogue PDF Author: Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1594735026
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 93

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Book Description
A colorful, fun-to-read introduction that explains the ways and whys of Jewish worship, faith, and religious life. What You Will See Inside a Synagogue will: Satisfy kids’ curiosity about what goes on in synagogues attended by their friends, broadening awareness of other faiths at an important age when opinions and prejudices can first form. Provide Jewish children with a deeper understanding of the practices of their own religious tradition. Give children the opportunity to ask questions, making them more active participants. Colorful full-page photographs set the scene for concise but informative descriptions of what is happening, the objects used, the clergy and laypeople who have specific roles, the spiritual intent of the believers, and more. The What You Will See Inside... series is designed to show children ages 6–10 the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of traditional houses of worship, liturgical celebrations, and rituals of different world faiths, empowering them to respect and understand their own religious traditions—and those of their friends and neighbors.

These are the Words

These are the Words PDF Author: Arthur Green
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580234941
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
Judaism itself is a language, a group's way of expressing beliefs, longings, aspirations and dreams. The vocabulary of Jewish life is the framework that Jews use to hand their past down to their children. It is, also, the vocabulary that people of other faiths need to know to understand Judaism and Jewish life. In this revised edition of the ultimate Jewish primer, one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our time takes readers on a historical and spiritual journey through Judaism.

The Year Mom Got Religion

The Year Mom Got Religion PDF Author: Lee Meyerhoff Hendler
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580230709
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
An inspiring, frank, and engaging"spiritual autobiography" that will touch anyone seeking deeper meaning in their religious life. As we come to recognize the need to nurture our spiritual lives as adults, The Year Mom Got Religion offers sensitive and intelligent wisdom from a woman who learned how awakening to religion can transform--and disrupt--a life. Lee Meyerhoff Hendler relates her awakening to Judaism. She also shares the hard lessons and realizations she confronted during the process. Her journey of the spirit is a powerful reminder that anyone, at any moment, can fully embrace faith--and meet every one of the challenges that occur along the way. A poignant personal testimony of the discoveries, achievements, and disappointments of a woman's renewed commitment to her faith--and how her personal transformation deeply affected her lifestyle and relationships. Born into a wealthy and prestigious family, Lee Meyerhoff Hendler was surrounded by privilege and was a rising leader in the Jewish community. Despite her prominence, she realized that something was lacking--and that Judaism needed to be more about spiritual fulfillment and relating to God than about simply writing checks to important causes or sitting on the boards of distinguished organizations. Hendler discovered a void in her life that only Judaism could fill. She embarked upon a journey that took her through intensive study, regular synagogue attendance, renewed dedication to Jewish communal service, squabbles with her children about attending religious school, and quarrels with her husband about religion's sudden role in their daily lives. If you are seeking deeper spiritual meaning in your life, or are close to someone who has embarked upon a similar journey, The Year Mom Got Religion offers candid and intelligent words of encouragement for the soul.

The Seven Beggars & Other Kabbalistic Tales of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

The Seven Beggars & Other Kabbalistic Tales of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov PDF Author: Naḥman (of Bratslav)
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580232507
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 197

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Book Description
For centuries, spiritual teachers have told stories to convey lessons about God and perceptions of the world around us. Hasidic master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov perfected this teaching method through his captivating and entertaining stories which are fast-moving, richly structured, and filled with penetrating insights. This collection presents Rebbe Nachman's beloved teachings, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and accompanied by illuminating commentary drawn from the works of Rebbe Nachman's pupils. With a preface by Rabbi Chaim Kramer, this important work brings authentic interpretations of Rebbe Nachman's stories to English-speaking readers, allowing them to see the rich heritage of Torah and Kabbalah that underlies each word of his teachings. (Previously published in hardcover by Breslov Research Institute as Rabbi Nachman's Stories [ISBN 0-930213-02-5].)

The Earth is the Lord's

The Earth is the Lord's PDF Author: Abraham Joshua Heschel
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1879045427
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
Powerfully and beautifully portrays a bygone Jewish culture. An eloquent masterpiece, originally published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Includes woodcut illustrations by Ilya Schor.