Synagogue without a political agenda

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

I'm at Temple Micah and I am disappointed at how little politics/social justice there is. So maybe you'd like it.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Oh really? I had heard that they were somewhat interchangeable. Good to know.

[Anonymous]

I have thought about giving feedback to the rabbis. But my friends at the temple tell me they really like that aspect of Sinai. So I figured maybe it was just me that felt this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have thought about giving feedback to the rabbis. But my friends at the temple tell me they really like that aspect of Sinai. So I figured maybe it was just me that felt this way.

As a member of the temple, you also have a right to discuss things like this with the rabbi. I bet you’re not alone (and neither are your friends).

Reform Judaism has a strong foundation in tikkun olam (healing the world) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), but no two people may go about practicing that in exactly the same way. I belong to the only temple in my community. We’re on a search for a rabbi right now, and the conversations about what we want are staggering because it’s hard to agree on what we “need” as reform Jews, particularly surrounding political speech (or the lack thereof), action in the community, and education (is it more important for the rabbi to be able to reach out to younger people or older). You are in a great position to be able to find a community that fits your needs.

[Anonymous]

Tifereth Israel
Mishkan Torah

[Anonymous]

Is there a temple that does more charity in the community (as opposed to just talking about politics)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a temple that does more charity in the community (as opposed to just talking about politics)?

Most synagogues do a ton of charity in the community, including Temple Sinai.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all the comments! I’ll look into those synagogues, and I have the name of a tutor as well. But before that I will try to connect with one of the rabbis and see what they say.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

DP. I’m curious what you see as “money grubbing” in a synagogue. My synagogue asks for monthly dues from its members, and—like all synagogues—will work with members to find a dues structure that works with their HHI and comfort. There’s also no demand to pay dues if you’re coming to temple without becoming a member. There are speeches on Rosh Hashanah about donations, just because that’s when most members will be in attendance, but other than that, there’s no money talk at all.

From what I understand, this is equal to Christians tithing or paying a weekly donation in church. We just pay it up front, and privately.

Not at all sure what you mean about “commercialization.” Our holidays and observances are sort of the opposite of commercial in America.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

anti- Catholic much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anti- Catholic much?

Not that two wrongs make a right, but PP came into a thread with a question about Jewish observance with a loaded anti-Semitic phrase (“money-grubbing”). So...