February 2017 

Beth Miriam is a Reform synagogue filled with tradition as well as creativity. We are about creating a truly holy space for everyone who comes into our Mishkan – the place where God dwells.

One of the truths about congregational life is that the only constant is change.  Liturgy changes, prayerbooks change, styles of teaching change, faces in the congregation change, and so forth.  In fact, if you were to compare Beth Miriam from the way it was 25 years ago to today, you would see some significant changes.

Like all religious institutions, Beth Miriam has seen a significant difference in the way congregants participate in temple life.  While it is true that, in past decades, people would utilize the temple and then leave immediately afterwards, it seems much more true today.  My colleagues and I share the observation and the sadness that comes with the simple fact that too many people have expected the temple to be here for them, their families, their times of great joy and sadness, learning and social activities, but do not always see the need to provide for the next generation.  It is the great climate change of religious life. 

We will need to adapt and we will need to change.

To that end, there are some interesting and important outreach programs that we have begun to engage, listen, and respond to the many emerging and thoughtful needs of our congregants, especially those who are entering Jewish life, those with young families, and those who will be the future leaders of our congregation and the wider Jewish world.  We are creating opportunities for leadership and leadership development with the goal of making sure that Beth Miriam is here for generations to come.  In time, those emerging leaders will change, too, to meet other needs.  Now is the time for us to meet their needs.

The Listening Campaign has been a good start and we will collate the results and build from there.  But that is a longer term project.  There are shorter term things that we are doing in response to many ideas that help to create the kind of synagogue a young family is looking for. 

To this end there are some interesting things afoot:

• Once a month Friday evening services at 6:30.  The family-friendly service is NOT a tot Shabbat but rather a family Shabbat experience with music, story and real worship.  Watch the temple calendar for all the dates
• Inclusion of new members with new perspectives to committees and empowering and enabling them to lead programs both inside the temple and outside the temple reaching our own community and the outside community with real change and impact.
• Meaningful and pertinent programs especially suited for younger families.  We have lots of ideas and are working on making them happen.  We are always open to new ideas, as well and have included younger members to share their ideas with us.  (How about a camping trip on a Friday night to Saturday at Palia Park?)
• The introduction of the new Days of Awe prayerbook, Mishkan HaNefesh which will make the Days of Awe a richer and more meaningful experience for everyone.  These services are definitely not your father’s Buick!
  
  

There will be other adaptations of programs and events in the coming months.  I am always excited to hear new ideas and invite them.  I know you want to get involved.  Just call me and let me know.