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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.