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STEP 2 - JRF Salutes Legacy Book - Congregational Information Form

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#SubmittedUserIP Addresssort iconCongregation's Official NameCityState/ProvinceYour NameYear of FoundingCurrent OfficersAbout Your CommunityPhoto 1 NamePhoto 1 CaptionPhoto 2 NamePhoto 2 CaptionPhoto 3 NamePhoto 3 CaptionPhoto 4 NamePhoto 4 CaptionPhoto 5 NamePhoto 5 CaptionPhoto 6 NamePhoto 6 CaptionPhoto 7 NamePhoto 7 CaptionPhoto 8 NamePhoto 8 CaptionPhoto 9 NamePhoto 9 CaptionPhoto 10 NamePhoto 10 Caption
351Jan 6 2012 - 2:48pmAnonymous66.57.61.21Kehillah SynagogueChapel HillNCMelissa Segal1996Presidents Beri Schwitzer & Josh Ravitch Vice President of Administration Randy Kauftheil Vice President of Membership Beri Schwitzer Vice President of Education Josh Ravitch Vice President of Ritual Diane Wright Secretary Andy Hart Treasurer Craig Poms Past President Howard Glicksman The mission of the Chapel Hill Kehillah Synagogue, a Reconstructionist congregation, is to create an inclusive and engaged Jewish community that inspires people’s lives and deepens Jewish involvement through Jewish celebration, worship, education, social action, and values. The Kehillah Synagogue is an egalitarian, participatory, sacred community that shares a commitment to Jewish tradition and values, joy in celebration, education for all ages, inclusivity, social justice, and community involvement. Our members represent a variety of backgrounds and family lifestyles, and we extend a warm welcome to all, including traditional, interfaith, and gay/lesbian families, and individuals. At our founding in 1996, we chose the Hebrew word for community, “Kehillah,” to signify our desire to build a vibrant center for Jewish life, one that would link individuals and families to a caring Jewish community. We offer a top-rate preschool experience and an innovative and engaging religious school. We explore Jewish life with dedication and enthusiasm, as we strive to foster opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. We value our many occasions to bring community members together to celebrate holidays and traditions, rejoice in each other’s simchas, assist each other in times of need, learn together and participate in the life of the broader community through social action and interfaith events.kehillahsyn.nc.adultedAdult Ed participants make havdalah candleskehillahsyn.nc.boardBoard members build towers to learn teamwork at the board orientationkehillahsyn.nc.purimshpielShpielers sing using Mary Poppins tuneskehillahsyn.nc.rituals2Religious School students pose after decorating the sukkahkehillahsyn.nc.youthgroupYouth group members enjoy the Sukkah ravekehillahsyn.nc.ritualsCommunity members decorate flower crowns for Shavuotkehillahsyn.nc.rituals3Rabbi and VP of Admin pose on Purimkehillahsyn.nc.rsReligious school students on Purimkehillahsyn.nc.rs2Rabbi Jen and Moses the puppet visit a religious school sederkehillahsyn.nc.rs3Religious school students display their mizrach
350Jan 4 2012 - 8:00pmAnonymous71.126.6.136Temple SinaiAmherstNew YorkEsther Bates1952President: Jill Hamilton Vice President: Marina Finkelstein Treasurer: Sid Weiss Recording Secretary: Kathy GordonWe were the fourth congregation to join the fledgeling Jewish Reconstructionist Movement, and were a Reconstructionist congregation from our inception. I will send you a brief history of our founding and early years in a separate email. [The photos and information about them will come from Martin Wolpin.]
355Jan 10 2012 - 2:46pmAnonymous74.103.128.235Dorshei DerekhPhiladelphiaPAMikael Elsila1986Minyan Coordinator, Mikael Elsila melsila@HOTMAIL.COM Minyan Coordinator Elect, Sonia Voynow voyboy@verizon.net Outgoing Minyan Coordinator, Naomi Klayman Research@NaomiKlayman.com Treasurer, Arnie Lurie alurie@kormancommercial.com Shaliach Tzibur Coordinator, Ruth Loew rcloew@gmail.com Leyning Coordinator, Bob Epstein bob_epstein@msn.com Membership Coordinator, George Stern geostern@hotmail.com Darshan Coordinator, Adina Abramowitz adina@consultingforchange.com Kiddush Coordinator, Michael Blackman michaelsr99@gmail.com Dishwashing Coordinator, Debbie Stern debstern502@msn.com ENDThe genesis of Dorshei Derekh goes back to the Germantown Minyan, started in 1974 by Rachel Falkove, Michael Masch, and others. Shortly after its first meeting it moved to Germantown Jewish Centre. Its participatory, lay-led services, largely in Hebrew and including Torah discussions involving personal reflections, were part of a national trend of havurot and minyanim as alternatives to formal synagogue services. The minyan grew and attracted new residents to the West Mt. Airy neighborhood. Within a few years, the minyan had up to 100 participants and divided into several minyanim, one of which was more traditional and one more flexible. After various changes and reorganizations, these two descendants of the Germantown Minyan formed minyanim that continue today. Dorshei Derekh was officially founded in 1986. In 2011, it celebrated its 25th anniversary. The more traditional group, dubbed the “206 Minyan” after the room in which it davvened (prayed), changed rooms and re-named itself Minyan Masorti. The other group, more open to liturgical creativity, met biweekly. Some new members allied themselves with that minyan, and the combined group began meeting in the fall of 1986, settling on the name Dorshei Derekh. This choice was clearly influenced by the Jerusalem congregation Mevakshei Derekh, a Reconstructionist-influenced community that was then independent (more recently affiliated with the Progressive/Reform movement). Later, the minyan went through a number of key decisions. One controversial issue in the mid-1990s was defining the role of non-Jewish family members and guests at services. A more involved decision was to formally affiliate with the Reconstructionist movement. This entailed defining minyan membership, establishing a formal decision-making process for controversial decisions, providing outside facilitators, and conducting discussions with Germantown Jewish Centre. After a lengthy process, the minyan joined the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation in 1999. Perhaps the greatest change from the 1970s or early 1980s has been the re-imagination of the Germantown Jewish Centre as a “multi-minyan” congregation. Dorshei Derekh is no longer viewed as “those other people” but as a key part of the congregation. Many Germantown Jewish Centre committee chairs, officers, and board members have come from Dorshei Derekh, including two recent congregational presidents, Helen Feinberg and Rachel Falkove. In addition, minyan members are involved in education and social action projects with the wider congregation. The minyan itself has constituted a caring community, providing meals and other support for members with illness and at times of loss or of births. This support is based on community connection, not only on who is a close personal friend. The minyan has always attempted to welcome newcomers, but the transient situations of many in our community have made that challenging. The minyan has encouraged people to acquire new liturgical and leadership skills. There have always been considerable numbers of people in the minyan with substantial Jewish knowledge, enriching the community. While many of these are Reconstructionist rabbis and rabbinical students, there are also very knowledgeable lay people. This has made it possible for many to take part in leading the group and in adding to the ideas in discussions. Germantown Minyan members were part of a network of East Coast havurot that met several times a year from the early 1970s until 1981 at Weiss’ Farm in New Jersey and later at Fellowship Farm near Philadelphia. These networks formed a basis for the National Havurah Committee, and numerous Dorshei Derekh members have participated in NHC events and leadership. The minyan has organized its own in-town and out-of-town retreats a number of times, most recently in the fall of 2006. Some practices inherited from the Germantown Minyan, or created in the early years, have influenced the minyan over two decades. Other minhagim (customs) grew over the decades. A few that are noteworthy include: a) Rotating leadership. The minyan coordinator (a chairperson) rotates every six months and with the past coordinator and coordinator-elect forms a three-person mazkirut (secretariat) for decisions that cannot wait. In general, the minyan coordinator position is filled alternately by women and men. b) Participatory decision-making is maintained through quarterly minyan meetings, though attendance is not usually large. Shabbat morning and festival services involve a number of key minhagim. The minyan arranges its space in a circle or semicircle, which emphasizes community rather than a leader. Services include a good deal of Hebrew, with English readings or interpretations sometimes added by a leader. Pesukei d’zimra (introductory psalms) with much singing are often emphasized. The Amidah includes the matriarchs, and some participants phrase blessings in alternative or feminine Hebrew. The Torah reading is done on a triennial cycle, typically with three (rather than seven) aliyot. A key part of the Torah service is the misheberakh blessings, as people volunteer for aliyot to mark events in their lives and receive recognition from the community: birthdays, new jobs, new academic ventures, arriving and departing for Israel, departing for college, a yahrzeit, a new apartment or home. These combined Hebrew and English individual prayers are a way the minyan shares news and support. While officially retaining it as an option, Dorshei Derekh generally omits the haftarah (prophetic reading) except for a few times a year. (The monthly women’s haftarah project in the 1990s was an exception.) [4] Its omission allows for a longer Torah discussion, which follows a d’var Torah. The minyan avoids centralized leadership in these discussions by having each speaker call on the next person. For 20 years, speakers alternated between men and women to assure gender equality, until this practice was suspended as an experiment in the summer of 2006. (If there were more women present than men, a step originated to advance women’s participation might actually limit it.) The Musaf service at Dorshei Derekh is an additional reading, poem, or story rather than another service. The service concludes with introductions, announcements, and a member-provided kiddush. Occasionally a longer lunch and discussion follow services. The minyan originally used the Conservative Silverman siddur with unwritten modifications, but after the Reconstructionist siddur Kol Haneshamah (edited by a minyan member, David Teutsch) was published in 1994, it was adopted by the minyan “as an experiment.” That experiment still continues today! END
342Dec 8 2011 - 2:11pmVictoria Cangelosi74.92.126.138VC
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381Jan 12 2012 - 12:36pmVictoria Cangelosi74.92.126.138
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387Jan 12 2012 - 4:31pmJennifer Glowacki74.92.126.138
388Jan 12 2012 - 4:35pmJennifer Glowacki74.92.126.138
389Jan 12 2012 - 4:40pmJennifer Glowacki74.92.126.138
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395Jan 12 2012 - 5:40pmJennifer Glowacki74.92.126.138
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461Jan 30 2012 - 6:54pmAnonymous75.25.142.77Or Zarua: Reconstructionist Havurah of the Easty BayBerkeleyCAEmily Galpern2004Emily Galpern, President Jeff Burack, Treasurer Carol Caine: Secretary Board Members: Ross Andelman, Ann Lopata, Sara SarasohnOr Zarua is a community of families and individuals striving to build a welcoming, intimate, progressive, and spiritual Jewish community that embraces Jewish tradition. We gather monthly for member-led Shabbat services, as well as for holidays, simchas, and study. Our services are characterized by spirited singing, thoughtful discussion, and a participatory spirit. We celebrate diversity in our community, including LGBTQI people, singles, people with partners from other faiths, and people or color. Children are encouraged to participate in the services. Free childcare is available at all services and most events. 
347Dec 21 2011 - 3:41pmAnonymous76.109.43.249RECONSTRUCTIONIST HAVURAH OF GREATER WASHINGTONSILVER SPRINGMARAYLANDISADORE SEEMAN1963ISADORE SEEMAN, CO-PRESIDENT BEILA ORGANIC, CO-PRESIDENT AND TREASUERSEE EMAIL SENT EARLIER.
362Jan 10 2012 - 9:34pmAnonymous76.250.38.45Congregation Shaarei ShamayimMadisonWIDawn Berney1990Officers • President: Dawn Berney • Vice President: Cathy Kaplan • Secretary: Deborah Kades • Treasurer: Liz Feder • Past Officer: Chuck Kalish Congregation Shaarei Shamayim is a growing community of over 100 households dedicated to the thoughtful, joyful celebration of Judaism. We have come together from varied Jewish backgrounds; our members' Jewish education ranges from extensive to nothing at all. We work to create an environment where all people feel welcome regardless of their religious, spiritual, political, or cultural identity. We are committed to fostering Jewish spiritual experience through prayer, meditation, study, song, social action, and friendship.CongregationShaareiShamayim.WI.EducationHighlights.jpgB'nei Mitzvot Receive an Aliah During High HolidaysCongregationShaareiShamayim.WI.Youth.jpgYouth Adult Havurah Ice Skating PartyCongregationShaareiShamayim.WI.TikkunOlam.jpgRabbi Laurie Leads Shabbat Service During Protests in the Rotunda
352Jan 8 2012 - 6:55pmAnonymous76.27.199.82Havurah ShalomPortland OregonMiryam Brewer & Andrew Forshee1978The 2011-2012 Steering Committee Members: Bruce Barbarasch, Miryam Brewer,Marty Brown, Andrew Forshee, Marni Glick, David Kertzner, Susan Lazareck, Dan Miller & Executive Committee ( listed below) Youth Member- Ella Sugerman Executive Committee Members: Co- presidents- Alanna Hein & Bill Kwitman Treasurer-Martin Soloway Executive Secretary-Cindy Merrill Corporate Secretary- Josh Ross VP of Education- David Ellenberg Immediate past presidents- Rachel Shimshak and Herman AsarnowFounded in 1978, Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, diverse participatory Jewish community steep in Jewish values; promoting spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility. We aim to foster a creative and innovative religious atmosphere in keeping with Jewish traditions and ethics, while maintaining opportunities for equal participation by all members of the community in determining the direction and goals of the congregation. While we work in close collaboration with our Rabbi, Educator, and administrative staff, Havurah is unique in that our members do much of the work other congregations tend to delegate. Located in the heart Pacific Northwest, Havurah Shalom is a spirited and inclusive community, striving to bring the full meaning and wisdom of our ancient Jewish heritage into our lives. HavurahShalom.OR.Purim.jpgRabbi Joey reading from the Megillat EstherHavurahShalom.OR.ShabbatSchoolclass.jpgThe 5th grade class visit to the Oregon Jewish MuseumHavurahShalom.OR.Hanukkah.jpgHanukkah fun at HavurahHavurahShalom.OR.KabbalatShabbat.jpgKabbalat Shabbat servicesHavurahShalom.OR.AfricaTikkunOlamtrip.jpgWe helped build a school in Kenya with AWJSHavurahShalom.OR.buildingfront.jpgThe beautiful front of our buildingHavurahShalom.musicentertainment.jpgOur talented musicians performing
354Jan 10 2012 - 12:29pmAnonymous97.65.87.2Congregation Beth HatikvahSummitNJJay Weiner1994Executive Committee President: Dan Kiselik 1st Vice President: Lynne Whitman 2nd Vice President: Marjorie Heyman Treasurer: Irv Lustig Secretary: Nancy Yacker and Lois Turiansky Immediate Past President: Katia Segre Cohen Other Trustees Communications: David Stowers Facilities: Myra Cole Fund Raising: Chris Tognola Life-long Learning: Connie Seligman Membership: Marsha Saffian Baldinger Program Co-chairs: Jill Zinckgraf and Tom Zinckgraf Religious School: Andy and Sarah Kaplan Social Action: Robin Freeman Spiritual Life: Jay Weiner Strategic Planning: Jonathan Ratner Congregation Beth Hatikvah is located at the intersection of Union, Morris, Somerset, and Essex Counties in New Jersey. We think we're building something special here — a progressive community of committed, engaged people, who come together from different Jewish backgrounds and experiences, different traditions, different races, sexual orientation, you name it — and who care about each other, their heritage, and their world. Our Founding Member and 1st President, Bob Max shares our history: The past sometimes is blurred, but I do recall back in 1994 the desire some 25 families had to build something that would express what we thought Judaism ought to be. We met in our homes, and followed an agenda which we wanted ultimately to lead to consideration of which movement we would follow. Someone mentioned Reconstructionism. So we started to examine the writings of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan. We liked his views on egalitarianism, chosenness, Judaism as an “evolving religious civilization,” and so much more. We ran a tiny ad and invited Rabbi Mordechai Liebling to speak about Reconstructionism. He was then Executive Director of FRCH, later changed to JRF. After his vivid description of the movement I asked for a straw, non-binding vote on our adopting Reconstructionism. All hands raised; I don’t recall a single negative. The decision by our founding group was no longer in doubt. After several lay-led services, the Reconstructionist movement sent us rabbinic students to lead our services. Our first continuous leader was Rabbi Brian Field, from whom we learned much. Religious school with professional instruction was up and running in September, seven months after we started the congregation. Faculty was mostly congregants supported by well-developed curricula. One of our teachers was Nancy Hersh, who became a “master teacher,” and finally the director of our Religious School. She is still with us in that capacity. After a year and a half Rabbi Amy Levenson came to us on a part-time basis. She was the Dean of Academic Studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinic College. In her second year with us, we decided that, to grow and be a recognized congregation, we really needed a full-time Rabbi. A Rabbinic Search Committee was appointed, and many interviews were held. We could not agree on one. At that point, Rabbi Amy decided she would like to go back to being a pulpit Rabbi, and so she threw her name into the candidate pool. The rest, as they say, is history! After sharing space in various locations over the years, once again space became an issue. We then relocated to the Episcopal Church in Chatham, where we had room ample room for several years. Yet we knew we had to have our own place. A search committee found a building in Summit, right on the Chatham border that would be our new home. When the building was ready for occupancy, a large band of members and friends walked, with Torahs in hand, from Main Street, where the Episcopal Church was located, to our new location. Guided by local policemen, we marched the streets between Chatham and Summit, carrying our Torahs and singing and cheering all the way to our new home. We affixed a mezuzah to the front door, and we were home. Our journey still continues 18 years later. We’re going strong and look forward to a bright future. bethhatikvah.nj.campjrfRabbi Amy and Mrs. Hersh visit our kids at Camp JRFbethhatikvah.nj.event1Our first Confirmation Class 2011bethhatikvah.nj.event2Founding Members Bob & Shirley Max with Rabbi Amybethhatikvah.nj.harmoniyahOur CBH Singers bethhatikvah.nj.israelCBH Goes to Israelbethhatikvah.nj.leadershipSome of our current and past Trusteesbethhatikvah.org.ritualsAdult B'nai Mitvah Classbethhatikvah.nj.tikkunolamCBH in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrinabethhatikvah.nj.youthRabbi Amy lights the menorah with our kidsbethhatikvah.nj.homeDedicating Our New Home
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