Where we Stand: Temple Beth El and Our National Movement

Temple Beth El is part of something much larger than itself. We are part of a vibrant, powerful and international movement. Two weeks ago, the seven of us who traveled as delegates to our Reform movement’s biennial conference learned that as a congregation, we share similar passions, styles of prayer, and struggles with the 900 other Reform congregations in our country. When we draw together, we share ideas, create solutions, and take political stands that have great influence.

In Houston, last month, we did all of the above. We prayed together from our movement’s new prayer book, we exchanged ideas on programmatic initiatives and best practices for running our synagogues, and we took solid stands on pressing political issues of today. In 1965, we were the first religious organization to oppose the War in Vietnam. Following in that tradition of activism, the 4500 delegates voted to call upon the Bush Administration to provide a clear exit strategy from the war in Iraq, and we opposed the nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court as he would threaten protection of the most fundamental rights that our movement supports.

We looked not only outward but inward as well. As Rabbi Yoffe, our movement’s leader, articulated his vision of where we need to go, it became clear that in many ways, Temple Beth El is ahead of the curve. Rabbi Yoffe urged us as a congregation to teach our youth about sexuality in plain and clear language, using Torah as our guide. Yet Beth El’s sexuality task force had begun that process more than a year and half ago. He urged us to expand our programs of conversion, as Jews-by-Choice so greatly enrich our congregations. Yet I am confident that our conversion class of nearly forty individuals (sponsored so generously by the Merkin Outreach Institute) surpasses most other congregations. He urged us to make our connections to Israel solid and strong, but we already go in proud numbers. We received at the convention the Gittlesohn Award reflective of our great strides on this front.

Yet in many other areas we still need to grow. We need to grow in warmth as a community. Like so many other congregations, we fail to build strong enough connections with our new members; we fail to convince many that the synagogue is not just a place for their kids but for them. Rabbi Yoffe pointed out the irony of the fact that so many empty nesters leave the synagogue when their kids head off to college, which is just at the time when they need it most. Creating a warm and welcoming community at Beth El requires not just the commitment of the professional staff; it requires the commitment of all of you – to open your hearts, your homes, and to give of yourselves.

We should be proud of where we stand as a congregation, but we should struggle always to stand taller.