Like countless others of their generation,
many post-war American Jews have abandoned
the religion of their birth to search for
a spiritual home in other traditions. Some
find their way back to the faith of their
heritage, but why do so many find that the
synagogue has not met their needs?
In this illuminating look at Judaism's future,
Rabbi Sidney Schwarz offers a penetrating
analysis of the American Jewish community,
challenging American synagogues to respond
to a generation of seekers and satisfy the
spiritual hunger of the "new American
Jew." This groundbreaking book not only
reveals the possibilities of this new, vital
spiritual culture, but also offers strategies
for transforming any congregation into a place
that the Jews of today can truly call home.
Arguing for the creation of a new model-the
synagogue community-Schwarz profiles four
innovative synagogues (one from each of the
major movements in American Judaism) that
have had extraordinary success with this new
approach to congregational life. Schwarz presents
ways to replicate their success and transform
our understanding of the synagogue and its
potential for American Jews.
Highlighting specific strategies to transform
existing congregations or to create new ones,
Finding a Spiritual Home is an eloquent and
powerful call to spiritual seekers to explore
the riches of the Jewish tradition. With compelling
accounts of Jews who "came home"
to Judaism, this book conveys a message of
hope for every Jew who is longing for connection,
transcendence, and purpose in Judaism-every
Jew who seeks a spiritual home.
A added bonus in the book is a discussion
guide for book clubs and study groups.
From Amazon.com
Finding a Spiritual Home promises to explain
"how a new generation of Jews can transform
the American synagogue." The book delivers
on this promise by describing the lives of
four thriving synagogues whose theological
orientations range from Reform to Orthodox.
Undoubtedly, Finding a Spiritual Home addresses
some burning questions about the future of
American Judaism: fully 35 percent of ethnic
Jews no longer identify themselves with Judaism,
author Sidney Schwarz writes. The book begins
with a historical overview of synagogue life
in America, then describes the spiritual needs
that various generations of American Jews
presently experience, and finally offers a
prescription for regeneration of synagogue
life.
Throughout the book, Schwarz's arguments expertly
interweave narratives of individual and communal
religious life, taken from the four synagogues
in whose innovations Schwarz finds hope for
American Judaism. These religious communities
have attracted large numbers of worshipers
with programs that seem both radical and commonsensical--"establishing
public service opportunities such as a Jewish
version of Habitat for Humanity," for
instance, or encouraging worshipers to write
their own prayer books. Schwarz carefully
describes the impact such innovations have
on synagogue members, citing interviews with
worshipers whose enthusiasm jumps off the
page: "The Judaism I live is about choosing
life," one says. His book will likely
inspire more American Jews to make that same
choice.
From Publishers
Weekly
The newest calling of the American
Jewish community--transforming the synagogue
into a "spiritual home"--finds its
voice in Schwarz's profile of four model congregations,
one from each Jewish denomination. Schwarz,
a Reconstructionist rabbi and founder of the
Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership
and Values, argues that the suburban, child-centered,
service-oriented "synagogue-center"
of today is in crisis, unable to provide the
connectedness, belonging, intimacy and inclusiveness
many baby boomers are seeking. Instead, he
proposes, congregations should become participatory
and welcoming "synagogue-communities,"
as exemplified by Beth El Congregation in
Sudbury, Mass. (Reform); Hebrew Institute
of Riverdale in New York City (Orthodox);
Adat Shalom in Washington, D.C., which he
founded (Reconstructionist); and B'nai Jeshurun
in Manhattan (Conservative). Ten powerful
"spiritual autobiographies" of individual
members punctuate Schwarz's congregational
profiles, highlighting his thesis that sharing
personal journeys can be the most compelling
aspect of community. While Schwarz admits
that these synagogues are atypical, guided
by empowering and charismatic rabbis who built
their congregations from the ground up, he
hardly touches on other transformation projects
that have sprung up across the country. His
10 strategies for transformation should provide
first steps for those willing to commit their
energies to reinvigorating synagogue life.
From Library
Journal
The hunger for a spiritual life has led to
a boom in all kinds of trendy movements that
call for little commitment, a phenomenon as
evident in Judaism as it is in the general
population. This study portrays the spiritual
odysseys of people who are seeking something
deeper. Rabbi Schwarz, a spiritual activist,
has identified one synagogue within each of
the main streams of American Judaism--Orthodox,
Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist--headed
by a deeply committed rabbi who is as active
communally as spiritually. The people profiled
responded to the spirituality and the intellectual
and communal activity and in turn contribute
so that their communities are greatly enriched.
For instance, the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
(Orthodox) has a thriving youth program that
pairs observant and nonobservant youths in
prayer and study in a big brother/sister program.
The observant youth mentors the novice, and
both experience intellectual and spiritual
growth. Many of these young people take on
leadership roles in the community as they
mature. Each story is interesting, well told,
and meaningful and can chart a path for those
seeking similar religious commitment. Recommended
for larger public libraries or where there
is a significant Jewish population.
Idelle Rudman, Touro
Coll., New York
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information,
Inc.
|
