SHABBAT - THE PROJECT
SHABBAT - THE PROJECT
The furthering of Jewish commitment and observance has long been of the utmost importance to both The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and The Rabbinical Assembly. The formation of a joint Committee on Commitment and Observance was a natural outcome of this shared priority; one with momentous implication - a joint effort could focus our congregations, bringing energy and synergy on the national and congregational level to this priority.
The Joint Committee was formed under the administrations of Alan Ades, President of The United Synagogue and Rabbi Alan Silverstein, President of The Rabbinical Assembly. They have continuously encouraged the committee in its work as has Dr. David Lieber when he took office as Rabbinical Assembly President. The Joint Committee has also benefitted greatly from the ongoing support of the Executive Vice-Presidents of The United Synagogue and Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbis Jerome Epstein and Joel Meyers. From its inception, Rabbi Allen Juda (Rabbinical Assembly), Boris Chartan (United Synagogue on Conservative Judaism) and Dr. Hugh Pollack (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) have co-chaired the Joint Commit-tee. Their active leadership and commitment has been crucial to its work and they have modeled a spirit of mutual lay-rabbinical cooperation.
The Joint Committee began meeting on March 11, 1996 and chose the Campaign for Shabbat as its first project. This Campaign is rooted in and a continuation of Jewish Living Now. The reasons for Shabbat becoming the first focus of the Committee's activities seemed for many on the Committee to be self-vident. Shabbat has always been a cornerstone in Jewish life. If - could get more members engaged in exploring Shabbat, it would enhance their lives, giving them a sense of Shabbat Shalom - worry free time. It would give them quality time for friends and family. It would enable them to understand Shabbat as a time of celebration and as an oasis in time. What could convey a better understanding of Judaism and Jewishness! The committee felt that if we could engage congregational members, they would come to experience personally the poetry of being Jewish. Not that it would be easy, but we wanted more Conservative Jews to share in the gift of Shabbat
The deliberations of the Joint Committee were characterized by enthusiasm, the exchange of creative ideas, and patience; gradually a feeling of accomplishment emerged as a strategy was developed, an approach unfolded and the campaign was sketched out in more and more detail. At meetings and in conference calls, lay people and rabbis from around the country exchanged ideas. The Committee - rabbis and lay leaders - kept before them images of real members of Conservative congregations as well as their own deep commitments to sharing the joy of Shabbat. As we were beginning, Rabbi Noah Golinkin shared with the committee his ideas about a Shabbat campaign which encouraged us and stimulated our work.
This Guide provides a framework and detailed programming suggestions. The work of the Committee, it reflects its collective creativity and insight. A sub-committee on programming carried the ball forward between meetings. Our project was particularly fortunate that Joseph Mendelsohn, a Rabbinical School student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, joined us as project Coordinator. Joseph entered the Seminary having raised a family and having been an active congregational member for years. He has become our ''project champion." He wrote the Guide, giving the ideas of the Committee concrete form. In addition to the Guide, he is working on additional materials for the use of individuals who want to grow in Shabbat observance. The writing of the Guide also benefitted greatly from the comments and suggestions of the Readers' Sub-Committee.
From the beginning I have served as the staff person for the committee. I see the Campaign for Shabbat as, in essence, a new approach to adult and family education - a means of stimulating the Jewish growth of members of Conservative synagogues.
It has been a great privilege to work with this Joint Committee, its leaders and members. it has been a venture in mutual cooperation and stimulation and a model for synergy and strength in the Conservative Movement.
May we see this model emulated on the congregational level, for then we will surely see the fruits of our labor. The Conservative Movement is indebted to the members of the Committee.
