USCJ Review - Fall 2004
Same Shul – New Affiliation and Focus
Editor’s Note: We asked the president of B’nai Torah in Atlanta, Georgia, a newly affiliated member of the United Synagogue, why the congregation decided to affiliate. The answer, below, reminds us that – in joining together in partnership – the synagogues of the Conservative Movement never have to “go it alone.”
Usually it’s impossible to get an entire congregation to agree unanimously on anything. The members of Congregation B’nai Torah in Atlanta will agree, however, that this past year brought about more radical change than any other year in our history.
The story begins with the formation of the congregation in 1981. The founding members, most raised with Orthodox backgrounds, established and maintained a synagogue that was devoted to the ritual and worship practices of traditional Judaism, with the exception of mixed seating. At that time, they chose not to affiliate with any national organization.
Through the course of 22 years, B’nai Torah went through a series of growth opportunities, pains and challenges. Membership steadily rose to an all-time high of 540, only to drop to 430. During this period, three rabbis, each with Orthodox semikhah, were hired to serve the congregation, despite the increasing difficulty of attracting individuals willing to forgo the mehitzah. Religious school enrollment dropped dramatically, concurrent with and due to a simultaneous spike in day school attendance. Most notable, however, was the steady aging of the congregation, contributing to a natural decrease in semahot.
As I assumed the role of thirteenth president of the Board of Trustees, two hot topics were already on the table, requiring immediate attention. The primary issue concerned the rabbi and his contract. A parallel yet secondary matter involved possible affiliation with the Conservative Movement. I never could have predicted how many meetings would consume July and August of 2003.
The decision not to offer a rabbi a new contract is never easy, and the inevitability of launching a search is never embraced with joy. Emotions ran high and many people vented, but by the end of the discussion, the main concern surrounded the anticipated difficulties and increasing challenges of finding yet another traditional rabbi.
Next came the topic of affiliation. Since there had been growing dissatisfaction among the membership for a number of years, a committee was assembled to uncover the main issues and concerns. After a year of analysis, conclusions indicated the need to address the following points: The disconnection of young children and teenagers from congregational life; the need for more lay leadership support systems and resources; access to a pool of rabbinic candidates; the desire for more creative programming and education; ways to acquire professional development and administrative support; and gaining access to regional or national organizations.
To some, an obvious answer was to join the Conservative Movement. The key debate, however, involved B’nai Torah’s ability to retain traditional ritual practices – full Torah readings, full repetitions of the Amidah, not counting women for a minyan, etc. – while being a member of that movement. The Board and a vocal minority were unable to reach agreement on the path to take, so we invited the USCJ Southeast Regional Director, Harry Silverman, to attend the Board’s June meeting. He patiently answered our questions and gave reasons for and against joining the movement. It became clear that the discussion would have to be taken to the congregation.
A Town Hall Meeting was held in August, and Harry delivered an excellent presentation in which he highlighted the various offerings and services available through the USCJ. He offered data on the correlation between a teenager’s participation in USY and his or her involvement in Jewish life during adulthood. He explained the role of the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) and answered questions about the search process. Again, the most important but still unanswerable question was whether or not we realistically could retain traditional ritual practices and find a young, dynamic rabbi through the RA. As the conversations drew to a close, it became clear that one more meeting – a congregational vote – would be required to decide the issue and move on.
The special meeting of the congregation, for the purpose of discussing and voting on a motion to affiliate with the United Synagogue, took place in mid-November. The motion was taken forward with the understanding that there would not be a vote on changing the synagogue’s theology or ritual practices. In other words, we would not vote on becoming egalitarian. The main tone of the evening focused on how this new association potentially could enrich and enhance the Jewish quality of our spiritual, social, educational and family lives without sacrificing the values that B’nai Torah holds dear. After many thoughtful and heartfelt comments from members who took positions on both sides of the issue, the vote took place and the motion passed. B’nai Torah would now be Atlanta’s newest Conservative synagogue, with its unique traditional niche.
With our two difficult issues decided, we assumed the challenge of a third – finding a new rabbi. I was determined to ignore any books or rumored horror stories on the subject. Instead, I traveled up to New York to chat with Rabbi Elliot Schoenberg, Director of the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement. I’m happy to say that the trip was well worth the airfare.
The search process introduced us to wonderfully qualified candidates and enabled us to find a rabbi who, God willing, will help our congregation grow and flourish. On March 31, 2004, only three months after submitting our questionnaire to the RA, the congregation voted to hire its new rabbi.
In addition to assistance with conducting a search, the wonderful staff and resources of the USCJ have been available to provide services and offerings that can refocus our congregation’s commitment to Judaism and Jewish life. The Southeast Region is working with us to rejuvenate our religious school; the USCJ Youth Department is helping us form a Kadima chapter; Rabbi Moshe Edelman (USCJ Director of Leadership Development) has been helpful in the areas of leadership development and congregational programming; Rabbi Martin Pasternak (Director of Congregational Services) assisted with our search and provided information on other services; our Executive Director, Donald Kaye, attended NAASE’s March convention and returned with exciting new programs; our Sisterhood joined the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, attended the April conference, and is full of enthusiasm and new ideas; and our Brotherhood has joined the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and continues to focus on Tikkun Olam.
This was an unbelievable year for Congregation B’nai Torah and for me. We learned a tremendous amount about ourselves and our goals. The needs of our community had shifted, and a vision that once had been crystal-clear had become blurry. We realized that we had been standing still, watching, as our young people moved toward other options that better satisfied their religious expectations and family needs.
Our decision to join the Conservative Movement – combined with our traditions, experience, maturity, wisdom, and faith – will enable us to create a new legacy for the future. As we enter the New Year, we will have the courage to implement fresh ideas and try new things. Utilizing a new support structure, we have resolved to work together to re-create the energy and dreams that were the foundation of our original spiritual home.
