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 A
Progressive
Congregation
KEHILLAT SULAM YA’AKOV IN THE 21st CENTURY Achievements
and Plans
Since our founding in 1996
when we joined the Israel Movement for Progressive (Reform) Judaism,
our congregation Kehillat Sulam Ya’akov has developed quickly. The
range of our activities has also burgeoned, allowing us to provide
religious services, life-cycle ceremonies, educational activities and
social action work for both the community itself and for society at
large in the Zichron Ya'akov area. (Connecting us to Zichron Ya’akov,
our name Sulam Ya’akov means Jacob’s ladder which is reflected in our
logo.) Of our achievements to date, we are particularly proud of the
following:
Creative Ritual and Life Cycle Ceremonies
We have developed a spectrum
of life-cycle rituals suitable for modern Israeli society,
catering to a community with congregants ranging from newborns to the
over 90’s. Our senior citizens participate fully in community life
including ba’alei kriya (Torah reading) and darshanim (giving
sermons). We are especially proud and inspired by Bnai Mitzvah
ceremonies held for senior citizens—survivors who were prevented from
celebrating this tradition when they came of age during the Holocaust.
Regular family services and Tot Shabbats are very popular events,
largely due to our special musical tradition in prayer.
Bar/Bat
Mitzvah Ceremonies
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program is
one of our major outreach programs. A growing number of local families
are seeking a traditional, Jewish experience with spiritual
significance. The modern, egalitarian, and personal setting of
Sulam Ya'akov is particularly suitable for this and many families take
great interest in our program because it provides a meaningful local
alternative to the present-day celebrations which often consist only
of a big party or a trip abroad. Before the ceremony, Bnai Mitzvah
participate in a special workshop specially developed to provide a
basic grounding in Jewish concepts and values. Scores of families and
hundreds of guests with little or no exposure to Progressive Judaism
have had their first contact with us—to everyone's satisfaction and
pleasure—at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
Education
Today's secular Jews in Israeli society
are feeling a growing need to explore their roots in Jewish tradition.
Though not yet a formal adult ed program, there are short courses
aimed at opening the world of Jewish tradition in all its wealth to
the modern Israeli. Among the most popular have been courses on
"Maimonides in the Modern World", "The Woman in Jewish Tradition",
"Shabbat", "Personalities in Genesis", "Cantillation for Adults" and
"Gender in the Bible". Our lecture series on Hassidut was also very
popular. In addition, Sulam Ya’akov members are working with local
and national educators to integrate egalitarian, pluralistic
approaches within the Education Ministry curricula — such as for
the 2nd grade initiation to Torah study and the 6th grade Bat Mitzvah
year.
Experiential Judaism
As a kehillah (congregation)
without walls--we do not yet have our own building--we aim to provide
an insight into Judaism through artistic activity and nature.
Singing, multimedia arts, creative writing, tiyulim (family outings)
to the natural environment all help secular Israelis find their own
way back to the tradition, by using their own creative talents. Trips
to sites of historic importance—there are many of these in Zichron
itself, not to mention its surroundings—also help make a connection
with Jewish roots in the Land of Israel. In addition, this allows us
to make connections with our non-Jewish neighbors that we hope lead to
the mutual understanding and respect necessary for peaceful
coexistence.
Social
Responsibility Towards Tikkun Olam
Sulam Ya'akov is a very
socially-concerned community. We believe deeply in the value of
Tikkun Olam. Over the years, we have initiated a number of very
successful mitzvot and tzedakah programs. The first is our
continuing food drive program for the needy in our area. The
second program (now completed) aimed at helping new immigrants from
Ethiopia. The needs of Falashmura children in Addis Ababa have
recently led us to become the first Israeli community to participate
in Rabbi Joel Soffin’s "Million Quarter Project" (www.shalomethiopia.org).
Another program is called "Isha L’isha"—"Woman to Woman";
volunteers from our congregation reach out, in coordination with the
Welfare Department, to single mothers, seniors, or home-bound women in
our community who need some sort of assistance. In co-operation with
the local Matnas Community Center and Conservative community, we
participated in initiatives to fund a program sponsoring
after-school activities for needy children, "Hug l’Kol Yeled." And
Sulam Ya’akov members quickly mobilized to host and continue to
assist families affected by Lebanon War II. Through these social
action programs and others, members of Sulam Ya’akov are finding ways
to engage in tikkun olam and improve the quality of life for scores of
people.
How do we see the future of Sulam Ya'akov?
Though we have achieved a great deal in a short time, we are fully
aware that we have more work to do. Our most important goals for the
years ahead are:
1. Forging
Connections (Kesher) with other Progressive Communities in Israel
and the Diaspora
Co-operation between communities and twinning almost inevitably
leads to deeper mutual understanding and an enriched quality of life
for all. Kehillat Sulam Ya'akov has enjoyed joint activities
throughout the country with the national Movement and other Israeli
progressive communities and congregations. Contacts with overseas
friends continue to develop--through various groups visiting our
community here, as well as through friends, families and
congregational contacts. Since 2002, we have been sending out a
weekly e-mail update read by literally hundreds of people, making it
an easy way for Israel Program Committees to establish a personal
connection (kesher) with Sulam Ya’akov. Adult and youth from
communities and organizations from around the world have enjoyed our
hospitality, and experienced the unique historical atmosphere that
characterizes Zichron Ya’akov. Our members have also been hosted by
communities worldwide, strengthening this kesher.
2. Ensuring the
Continuity of Jewish Tradition from Generation to Generation- Youth
Programs
The Progressive Jewish Youth Program in Zichron Ya'akov, Noar
Telem, provides a framework for young people aimed at helping them
to express their Jewish identity in modern and creative ways. We
would be delighted for them to connect with Jewish youth from other
countries through e-mail and then possibly via exchange programs.
3. Education for
Pluralism and Tolerance
The local Reform movement in Israel and individual Reform
communities in particular are struggling not only against official
discrimination, but also against popular prejudice—the only
officially-recognized and government-funded stream of Judaism in
Israel is the Orthodox. Since we view prejudice in all its forms as
highly harmful to society in general, and as running contrary to
Jewish tradition, one of our most important goals is initiating
educational programs, aimed especially at the young that emphasize
the values of pluralism and tolerance.
4. Acquiring a
Synagogue
We are still involved in complex negotiations with the town
council to allocate us our own plot of land for our synagogue. An
exciting recent development in the meantime: we just received a
temporary prefab structure from the housing ministry. We are hopeful
of success and are actively fundraising among members and friends
for the remaining infrastructure and equipment costs so that we can
move in. Although there are still challenges to face, we are almost
home!
Thus, we feel that Sulam
Ya'akov stands on the threshold of great things. Though many important
challenges await us, our achievements to date—as well as the enormous
spirit and determination which all our members show—convince us that
we can meet each and every challenge.
Judaism has never demanded uniformity
of belief or practice. It has grown and adapted over the millennia,
and must continue to do so. In the tradition of Zichron Ya’akov‘s
founders, Sulam Ya’akov continues to break new ground--this time
making religious tolerance, pluralism, and equality a reality. We
welcome your interest and support for our community, and invite you to
visit us when you are in Israel to experience firsthand the joy and
excitement of creating a new Progressive Jewish community.
For more information /
regular updates / to help support our congregation’s efforts, please
contact us:
sulam@bezeqint.net
Congregational Bulletin
(not available)
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