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Jewish Renewal - Tallahassee Style

Nechama Gottschalk, Chavurat Tallahassee P'nai Or

After reading the questions sent out for the survey of Jewish Renewal Communities, we were struck with how inappropriate many of these queries were for our group. With our 18 adult members and 10 children (under 12), the methods and practices we have evolved appear to be different from those of other groups. We'll begin with a brief history and then tell a little bit about how we do things in Tallahassee (located in rural north Florida, containing only a small Jewish population).

About three and a half years ago, several of us got together to talk about forming a chavurah because the local Reform congregation, to which we then belonged, did not offer, and did not want to offer Shabbat morning services. We were familiar with the chavurah concept and wanted to create a more intimate worship experience and also to include time for Torah study. Our earliest services, although still fairly Reform in nature, did include the inclusive Avot and a few other innovations. Over time, we expanded our liturgy, adding more Hebrew, more singing and increasing participation.

About 18 months later, two of us went to Elat Chayyim and we discovered Jewish Renewal. We affiliated with NJRC about 6 months later. We have been incorporating Renewal liturgy and songs into our tefilot (which is no longer recognizable as reform), and developing new, often creative rituals to mark holy days and special events within our community. Throughout the year, we continue to meet twice a month for Shabbat services and Torah study. We get together in different members' homes, on a rotating basis. In addition, we meet for holidays and on other special occasions.

One important aspect of Jewish Renewal that our community has embraced, is an emphasis on egalitarianism. It is found not only in our liturgy, but also in our organizational approach. In the early days, there were clearly leaders. The same people led services and Torah study, and most of the others were followers. Many of our members came from backgrounds with limited Jewish knowledge. By contrast today, anyone may lead our services and add to our 'siddur'. When we turned to Jewish Renewal, unanticipated problems arose. Two of our members were not comfortable with the creative liturgy and the unfamiliar music. To give each person the space to worship in the way most meaningful to them, we decided to let the morning's host/ess lead the davvening and Torah study. If they were not comfortable doing this, then they could ask another person to lead. But they continue to be responsible for selecting which version of a particular prayer, which melody to sing, etc.

As our options grew, we decided we had to develop a 'siddur'. We formed a committee who selected, typed up, cut, pasted, and created a loose-leaf notebook This way people can easily make additions and changes.

We have another committee that meets periodically when we need to set up the schedule for our gatherings. This "planning committee" determines how we shall observe the holidays. In addition to our prayers, we have had dinners, luncheons, picnics, parties, etc. Before Rosh Hashanah we gathered at the local mikveh (a private swimming pool!). We built and decorated a succah. We celebrated Lag B'Omer at a park with games and a picnic. Earlier this summer, we came together for a Shabbaton planned and conducted solely by members of our small group. For Rosh Chodesh Elul, we held a t'shuvah workshop. We have members who are unaffiliated and members who belong to either the Reform or the Conservative congregation. Because of this, we meet for some High Holyday services, but not all.

For years we have struggled and succeeded in maintaining the momentum within our small group. We have experienced some turnover in membership, yet still have many founding members. At times it has been difficult without professional leadership, yet we have grown and learned Jewishly together and become family to one another. We have mixed feelings about growth because we fear a larger membership would result in a loss of intimacy and lead to fundamental changes in our practice.

We would like to hear from NJRC communities with similar experiences. Shimon and Nechama Gottschalk
 

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