Colloquium
What a wonderful day! School started up again, and instead of regular class, we’re having a three-day colloquium on “Challenges and Opportunities: Jewish Leaders and the Jewish Community.” To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it - I was sorely mistaken!
The day started off by reviewing the “Platforms” of Reform Judaism, or the published statements of what Reform Judaism is and what it stands for. We talked about what differed from the Platforms of 1885, 1937, 1976, and 1999 in terms of God, Torah, People, Religious Practice, Palestine/Israel, and the “Mission” of Judaism, taking into account the historical context of the time.
Then there was a fabulous lecture by Rabbi Michael Meyer, who it turns out will be a history professor of mine in Cincinnati. This guy is the world expert on the history of Reform Judaism – he literally wrote the book on it (not to mention the entry on “Reform Judaism” in the Encyclopedia of Religion). He talked about two visions for the future of the movement, the dark and the bright. Basically, we can go two ways: we can cease to exist and assimilate, or we can reclaim the “religious” aspect of Judaism and grow stronger. It sounds simplistic, but his talk was fascinating, delving into the nitty gritty of mainstream religious practices and Jewish identity with such honesty that it was near moving. No one knows what will happen in the future, but he thinks that the movement will inevitably incorporate aspects of both visions.
After lunch came the best part: I went to the optional seminar on “Non-Jews in Congregational Life.” Surprise surprise, it was run by the former rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, where Jonathan and I attended our Intro to Judaism class! Reform Judaism recognizes that around 1/3 of all synagogue members are now intermarried – what issues does this bring up for temple governance (e.g. can a non-Jew serve on a temple Board or committee?), temple community (who can join the temple? should we have active outreach?), and ritual (what is the level of a non-Jew's participation in life cycle events? is there a criteria for performing intermarriage?). The session involved lots of personal examples, and lots of discussions on “what defines a Jew” and a “non-Jew.”
Last but not least, we broke up into the campuses we’re going to next year and spoke with faculty about academics. Next year we have no Modern Hebrew and very little Biblical Hebrew, but instead we take much more interesting things like a history survey course, narrative and poetry in the Bible, Mishnah/Tosefta (Oral Law and its supplement), and Hebrew Literature. The prof specifically said that next year was more conceptual, and not focusing on translation. Hooray!
Addendum: After a wonderful dinner tonight with Nicole and Joe, and discussing the above issues, I think I learned more than I did in class! I love when school catalyzes even better conversations with friends, than the ones led by a teacher.
The day started off by reviewing the “Platforms” of Reform Judaism, or the published statements of what Reform Judaism is and what it stands for. We talked about what differed from the Platforms of 1885, 1937, 1976, and 1999 in terms of God, Torah, People, Religious Practice, Palestine/Israel, and the “Mission” of Judaism, taking into account the historical context of the time.
Then there was a fabulous lecture by Rabbi Michael Meyer, who it turns out will be a history professor of mine in Cincinnati. This guy is the world expert on the history of Reform Judaism – he literally wrote the book on it (not to mention the entry on “Reform Judaism” in the Encyclopedia of Religion). He talked about two visions for the future of the movement, the dark and the bright. Basically, we can go two ways: we can cease to exist and assimilate, or we can reclaim the “religious” aspect of Judaism and grow stronger. It sounds simplistic, but his talk was fascinating, delving into the nitty gritty of mainstream religious practices and Jewish identity with such honesty that it was near moving. No one knows what will happen in the future, but he thinks that the movement will inevitably incorporate aspects of both visions.
After lunch came the best part: I went to the optional seminar on “Non-Jews in Congregational Life.” Surprise surprise, it was run by the former rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, where Jonathan and I attended our Intro to Judaism class! Reform Judaism recognizes that around 1/3 of all synagogue members are now intermarried – what issues does this bring up for temple governance (e.g. can a non-Jew serve on a temple Board or committee?), temple community (who can join the temple? should we have active outreach?), and ritual (what is the level of a non-Jew's participation in life cycle events? is there a criteria for performing intermarriage?). The session involved lots of personal examples, and lots of discussions on “what defines a Jew” and a “non-Jew.”
Last but not least, we broke up into the campuses we’re going to next year and spoke with faculty about academics. Next year we have no Modern Hebrew and very little Biblical Hebrew, but instead we take much more interesting things like a history survey course, narrative and poetry in the Bible, Mishnah/Tosefta (Oral Law and its supplement), and Hebrew Literature. The prof specifically said that next year was more conceptual, and not focusing on translation. Hooray!
Addendum: After a wonderful dinner tonight with Nicole and Joe, and discussing the above issues, I think I learned more than I did in class! I love when school catalyzes even better conversations with friends, than the ones led by a teacher.
posted by Michal at 8:12 AM
5 Comments:
Wow! You struck the mother-lode today, didn't you? In-depth discussion of Reform Judaism -- past, present and future has got to be the hottest topic on the menu. And getting a preview of one of your Cincinnatti professors! The dessert surely was meeting up with the rabbi whom you and Jonathan studied with way back when. And as if that wasn't enough, you can look forward to the coming year with excitement because it'll be full of subjects you like most of all. I'm all excited for you. Will today's adrenalin keep you pumped up for the rest of this semester?
yer Savta
Um, probably not about the adrenalin. But it'll keep me pumped for the next two weeks, for sure! I'm making my own adrenaline items instead: Becca comes in Feb., and then after that is a tiyul, then after that my birthday, then after that Rome/Athens, then after that home.
But yeah, today was great! I absolutely loved it. Be sure to see the addendum I put in at the end.
That addendum proves that you're receiving true education. The classroom is but the launching pad which enables you to explore, delve into and understand better the world out there. That's where the real learning takes place!
As for your adrenaline items: Whoohoo! Such a bunch of good stuff to look forward to, and all crammed into a few short months that will zip by. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Becca.
Won't be long!
Savta
I took a class with Michael Meyer - I recommend you take a speed writing class beforehand! His lectures were full and fast.
Sheryl - OY! But I can tell that his lectures will be interesting and fun; I hate lectures that are boring and you have to fight to stay awake.
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