In the summer, the Great Northwoods of Wisconsin come alive with many flavors of Judaism. In Conover, there is Conservative Judaism’s Camp Ramah. In Wild Rose there is the Orthodox, Camp Moshava. In Waupaca there is the Zionist, Camp Young Judea, and in Eagle River there is the Milwaukee JCC’s Camp Interlaken.
But even after the camps empty out, and the nights become crisp, there are still Jews left in the Northwoods, and our home is Mt. Sinai Congregation in Wausau, a Reform synagogue that was founded almost 100 years ago, in 1914.
Most of our members would think of themselves first as Jews and only then as Reform. They are unlikely to be passionate one way or the other about questions of ritual or kashrut. Wearing kippot and using Hebrew do not arouse passions at Mt. Sinai.
What our congregation values about its Reform moniker is the movement’s talent for creative approaches to modern possibilities and challenges.
Reform embraced the possibilities inherent in the idea of universal human rights and democracy, particularly the inclusion of all its members in every aspect of congregational life. Nowhere is this more notable than in the involvement of women in ritual and leadership, though it finds powerful echoes in Reform’s embrace of its intermarried and LGBT members.
It has also displayed openness to ritual innovation, which can be seen in its role as an incubator of folk and rock forms of Jewish music, or in the curious hamishness that comes with a shared aliyah or an unconventional approach to a drash.
Reform’s bicentennial finds its Northwoods children drawing deeply from its legacy. With our members spread over nine counties, representing almost the same area as Israel, creativity is central to Mt. Sinai’s ability to thrive. Reform Judaism may struggle with issues such as the intensity of its members practice, but its relentless creativity has served us well.
Rabbi E. Daniel Danson is spiritual leader of Mt. Sinai Congregation in Wausau.
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