Synagogue without a political agenda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I have belonged to temple Sinai now for a few years. I like the community and the Sunday school seems fine. What I don’t like is that a lot of the sermons and events are very political. I understand that most reforms temples will be very liberal, and I’m pretty left leaning myself. But my father was a reform rabbi and his sermons and temple events were much more about learning about God, the Torah, the holidays, and the teachings of kindness, gratitude, family time, etc. I feel like I have many other outlets where I can get my politics and news, but what I really want to learn more about is God, faith, and Torah. And I don’t want to move over into the conservative or reconstructionist movement. I grew up strongly in the reform movement and my kids go to reform summer camp.
Anyone have any good options? Just hire a tutor and go rogue?

I grew up Jewish but converted to Catholicism (husband is Catholic) and one reason was exactly what you are talking about. I have not seen it this way with other faiths. The comercialition and money grubbing was a really big turnoff at our synagogue.

Since you are not Jewish (and apparently had no problem converting to a religion responsible for mass murder of Jews, e.g., in the Spanish Inquisition), it is curious that you are posting here. I wouldn't think to post in Catholic forum re: e.g., the commercialization of Christmas, Pope Benedict's Prada shoes (or a systematic culture of covering up the abuse of children), it's not my fight - moreover, I have literally never experienced "money-grubbing" in as synagogue, and I have attended many synagogues as a non-member in various stages of life.

Grow up
No need to start accusing the pp of being an evil traitor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I have belonged to temple Sinai now for a few years. I like the community and the Sunday school seems fine. What I don’t like is that a lot of the sermons and events are very political. I understand that most reforms temples will be very liberal, and I’m pretty left leaning myself. But my father was a reform rabbi and his sermons and temple events were much more about learning about God, the Torah, the holidays, and the teachings of kindness, gratitude, family time, etc. I feel like I have many other outlets where I can get my politics and news, but what I really want to learn more about is God, faith, and Torah. And I don’t want to move over into the conservative or reconstructionist movement. I grew up strongly in the reform movement and my kids go to reform summer camp.
Anyone have any good options? Just hire a tutor and go rogue?

I grew up Jewish but converted to Catholicism (husband is Catholic) and one reason was exactly what you are talking about. I have not seen it this way with other faiths. The comercialition and money grubbing was a really big turnoff at our synagogue.

Since you are not Jewish (and apparently had no problem converting to a religion responsible for mass murder of Jews, e.g., in the Spanish Inquisition), it is curious that you are posting here. I wouldn't think to post in Catholic forum re: e.g., the commercialization of Christmas, Pope Benedict's Prada shoes (or a systematic culture of covering up the abuse of children), it's not my fight - moreover, I have literally never experienced "money-grubbing" in as synagogue, and I have attended many synagogues as a non-member in various stages of life.

Grow up
No need to start accusing the pp of being an evil traitor

And no one did, actually.

[Anonymous]

Maybe reconsider your attachment to the Reform denomination, OP?

I’m not Jewish but I can relate. I was going to a UU congregation (because I’m liberal and grew up in liberal churches) and got totally fed up with the ever-present politics and SJWs. Give it a rest, people — religion is about transcendence not reacting to the headlines! I finally just threw my hands up and now go to Catholic mass. Sometimes what you need spiritually does not line up with the stereotype of your politics. And that’s okay.

[Anonymous]

^^^ also wanted to add to my comment above that I understand your attachment to Reform Judaism given your rabbi dad but sometimes denominations change in directions and we don’t change with them - or vice versa. I relate because I have a parent who was a pastor in a liberal Protestant denomination. But things just aren’t what they used to be for a lot of religious issues. If your sentimental attachment isn’t serving you well, let it go.

[Anonymous]

OP here - yes, I think you’re right about that. It’s uncomfortable and sad for me to leave the Reform movement because it’s all I’ve ever known. I’m used to the service and the music - and that’s the part I really like! But the rest of it isn’t working for us. I did speak to a tutor and he gave me some names of synagogues to look into, so I’ll look into that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I have belonged to temple Sinai now for a few years. I like the community and the Sunday school seems fine. What I don’t like is that a lot of the sermons and events are very political. I understand that most reforms temples will be very liberal, and I’m pretty left leaning myself. But my father was a reform rabbi and his sermons and temple events were much more about learning about God, the Torah, the holidays, and the teachings of kindness, gratitude, family time, etc. I feel like I have many other outlets where I can get my politics and news, but what I really want to learn more about is God, faith, and Torah. And I don’t want to move over into the conservative or reconstructionist movement. I grew up strongly in the reform movement and my kids go to reform summer camp.
Anyone have any good options? Just hire a tutor and go rogue?

I grew up Jewish but converted to Catholicism (husband is Catholic) and one reason was exactly what you are talking about. I have not seen it this way with other faiths. The comercialition and money grubbing was a really big turnoff at our synagogue.

Since you are not Jewish (and apparently had no problem converting to a religion responsible for mass murder of Jews, e.g., in the Spanish Inquisition), it is curious that you are posting here. I wouldn't think to post in Catholic forum re: e.g., the commercialization of Christmas, Pope Benedict's Prada shoes (or a systematic culture of covering up the abuse of children), it's not my fight - moreover, I have literally never experienced "money-grubbing" in as synagogue, and I have attended many synagogues as a non-member in various stages of life.

Gee you sounds bitter dude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe reconsider your attachment to the Reform denomination, OP?

I’m not Jewish but I can relate. I was going to a UU congregation (because I’m liberal and grew up in liberal churches) and got totally fed up with the ever-present politics and SJWs. Give it a rest, people — religion is about transcendence not reacting to the headlines! I finally just threw my hands up and now go to Catholic mass. Sometimes what you need spiritually does not line up with the stereotype of your politics. And that’s okay.

Reform Judaism has a foundation of social service; we very often discuss and practice tikkun olam (healing the world) and [/i]gemilut chasadim[/i] (acts of loving kindness). In some temples, this might mean quietly doing service for others in the community and across the world. For others, that might mean sermons that stem from something that’s happening in the headlines that we can meditate on and act upon. This is not a new thing for Reform Jews.

In any case, that said, yes if you’re uncomfortable with this aspect of Reform Judaism, finding a Conservative or Reconstructionist synagogue might be an option. But in the DC area, I bet you can find a Reform synagogue that fits your comfort and needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you give feedback to the rabbi? Maybe s/he thinks this is what people want to hear.

+1

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar place, OP. I am so turned off by our reform synagogue and how everything revolves around politics. I am torn because our DD’s Bat Mitzvah is on the horizon and I feel we really have to make a change now. No suggestions just commiserating. I am in NoVa and not a lot of reform options around us so I am starting to explore conservative synagogues. Good luck. I think Reform in general is so wrapped in politics it has become less meaningful.

[Anonymous]

The Reform Movement has removed all of the tradition and beauty of Judiasm and replaced it with leftism. I am equally frustrated, OP, which is why we started going to Chabad.

[Anonymous]

Most Jews are politically left. That said, as an intensely political person, what I appreciate about my conservative synagogue is that the prayer services are in Hebrew, many people know the liturgy well, so you're not singing by yourself, and the synagogue has a diverse membership, including politically. There is certainly a lot of social activism at the shul, with a lot of special events, but the prayers are the prayers, and largely politics are not central. Look for a nerdy, intellectual conservative synagogue - e.g., Tifereth Israel, Ohr Kodesh, or even a synagogue more outside the city, e.g., Mishkan Torah in Greenbelt. If you are OK with a more reconstructionist service, Oseh Shalom in Laurel is nice, or Adat Shalom.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks so much for your comment. Would you mind tellling me which synagogue you belong to? It sounds nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most Jews are politically left. That said, as an intensely political person, what I appreciate about my conservative synagogue is that the prayer services are in Hebrew, many people know the liturgy well, so you're not singing by yourself, and the synagogue has a diverse membership, including politically. There is certainly a lot of social activism at the shul, with a lot of special events, but the prayers are the prayers, and largely politics are not central. Look for a nerdy, intellectual conservative synagogue - e.g., Tifereth Israel, Ohr Kodesh, or even a synagogue more outside the city, e.g., Mishkan Torah in Greenbelt. If you are OK with a more reconstructionist service, Oseh Shalom in Laurel is nice, or Adat Shalom.

LOL I don't have experience with all of these synagogues but "nerdy, intellectual conservative" (as in the Conservative Judaism movement, not conservative socially or politically) sums up Tifereth Israel nicely. Not homogeneous, there's a lot of social action, political discussions and many members are involved in politics, but I wouldn't say the congregation or leadership itself has a political agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for your comment. Would you mind tellling me which synagogue you belong to? It sounds nice.

I am a member of Tifereth Israel - the rabbi has a double major in math and music from Oberlin - which is several shades of nerdy, intellectual in my book. Many rabbis, professors, novelists, and government workers, some republicans, lefty labor types, etc.

[Anonymous]

We only joined a temple 3 years ago so most of my experience has been in the Trump era. I think a lot of the political talk these days is just a reminder that what is going on in the world is not normal and we shouldn't just be sitting by idly. I can see how it would be off-putting to some but I think our Rabbis just want to encourage us not to be bystanders.

Just my two cents.