It is hard to believe! In October, I will be celebrating my tenth anniversary as spiritual leader of Beth Israel Sinai in Racine.
I will never forget my initial interview with the synagogue’s board members. Many questions were asked about my willingness to travel biweekly for Hebrew school and Shabbat services.
Other questions involved what type of service I would institute. Though historically a Conservative synagogue, parts of the service, like Mussaf, had been eliminated.
It had often been difficult obtaining a minyan (prayer quorum of ten) on Shabbat mornings. What would I do, as our incoming leader, to reverse this situation?
Our ten years together demonstrates the benefits accrued by our team effort. We have shared the beauty of celebrating many lifecycle events together: B’nai mitzvah ceremonies, anniversaries and birthdays of congregants, my rabbinical ordination in 2006, and a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Racine Jewish community.
Our Hebrew school, adult education classes, Shabbat Torah study and communal celebrations reaching out to our non-Jewish neighbors have been a great success.
We have always received proportionally a greater number of religious service participants than many larger congregations. Each member of our synagogue deserves a “yasher koach” for their participation in maintaining a viable religious community.
Emphasize similarities
As with all synagogues during these difficult economic times, we must not be content to rest on our previous successes. As we progress through the second decade of the 21st century, we must exert even greater efforts to ensure the religious and financial continuity of our beloved institution.
Our success to date has been predicated on intentionally not being affiliated to any of the major synagogue movements. Our members emphasize Jewish similarities and not differences. All points of view are welcomed and respected.
At Beth Israel Sinai, there are no Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal, or Humanistic Jews. We maintain a kosher kitchen so any Jew will feel comfortable eating in our synagogue. Interfaith families are welcomed.
Our “tefilah” includes explanations of the prayers so individuals have a greater understanding of our service. Questions are encouraged during our formal prayer. We encourage divergent freedom of thought as we strive to become closer as a community to our Creator.
As we enter the Penitential Season, the Holy One will not inquire about our Jewish affiliation. From the birth of Adam and Eve, the human race has been confounded with the stark choice of whether to obey or defy G-d.
The Days of Awe were designated to determine which of us has lived up to our full potential to create a better world. Have we lived up to the universal principles of morality and justice contained in the Torah?
Have our actions eased the financial, social and psychological pain those less fortunate? Have we wisely used the physical and spiritual resources available for the improvement of all humankind?
Do we pray to G-d only when we are sick or in trouble? Do we sufficiently thank G-d for the good fortunes of our families or exclusively credit our material and social achievements to our own abilities? Has one prayed from the heart or merely vocalized these words?
Will we ask personally ask for forgiveness during the Ten Days of Repentance spanning the time between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur from those individuals we have wronged?
From Rosh Chodesh Elul, each blast of the mighty shofar is meant to awaken us from our spiritual lethargy and complacency.
As stated in the Rosh HaShanah Mussaf service: “This day is the anniversary of the start of your handiwork.” G-d’s ultimate judgment as the gates of heaven close following the conclusion of Ne’ilah on Yom Kippur will depend on how we respond to these universal questions.
In 5771, may we all be signed and sealed in the Book of Life.
Rabbi Martyn Adelberg is spiritual leader of Beth Israel Sinai Congregation in Racine.
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