Conservative transformation group seeking new members
Remember the coalition of Conservative leaders that recently demanded a greater role in the planning the movement's future? We wrote about it here and here.
Well, it seems they're looking for some new members, and if you want to join, you best be prepared to cough up the cash. Here's the invitation from organizer Rabbi Michael Siegel:
Finally, the congregations involved have committed $25,000.00 to begin this vital effort. It is imperative that this national conversation have a good cross section of synagogues, and the benefit of their leadership and perspectives. We envision an inclusive process of gathering ideas, data, and feedback, not only for the benefit of our strategic plan, but also to bring us closer together for the ultimate renewal of our movement.
If you and your congregation are interested in joining us we ask that you include the President of your congregation. In addition, we ask that a monetary contribution be made to Hayom in order to help in this effort. The initial larger congregations are each committing 1000.00; depending on the size of your congregation and its means, we would suggest a contribution anywhere between $250.00 and $1000.00. We will use these monies to fund, in conjunction with the USCJ the type of long range plan that our movement so richly deserves.
Siegel also reported on the meeting the group (known as HaYom) recently had with the leadership of the movement's synagogue association:
The meeting was serious, candid and positive. Our group made it clear that we see ourselves as stake holders in the USCJ and that we feel a true sense of urgency. More importantly we intend to partner with the leadership of the USCJ on every level. We are asking that:
• A strategic planning committee be put together immediately and have one
year to complete its work.
• the process be transparent in every way and seek input from leadership
and grassroots
• a professional be hired to manage the process
• clear benchmarks and timelines be established
• the USCJ give us an answer within 30 days of the meeting
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As the Conservative Movement became more ‘modern’, and the Reform Movement became more traditional, I think they passed each other in the night. The Conservative’s reason for coming into existence was that the Reform went way too far. At this point, the Conservatives might as well fold themselves into the Reform Movement.
The present situation is sad, because the Conservative Movement educated titantic intellects and moral giants like Rabbi I. I. Efros and Rabbi Abraham Heschel, men of blessed memory.
The Conservative Movement remains a major, dynamic, important, functioning sector of Judaism. It is clearly the hope for the future of Israel. By leaving Jewish issues to the reactionary, far-right wing - which has produced rulings that can be seen as morally repugnant (concerning marriage, divorce, burial, acceptance of Jews-by-choice), we have alienated a majority of the world’s Jews.
While the Movement has recently been less-than-effective in promoting itself, it still serves a critical role in the development and continuity of Judaism.
It is incumbant that we take aggressive steps to unify, rejuvenate, promote and publicize the Movement.
To many of us, Conversative/Masorti Judaism is the key to living a meaningful Jewish life in the modern world.
Waterman, you remind me of those who insisted on remaining on the Titanic after all the lifeboats left. your absolute con-loyalty is admirable if you were rooting for a last place team, but be real. the cons keep moving leftward and have discarded Halacha for popular independent decisionmaking. Sorry, this is not Judaism. You need to upgrade your software before your hardware crashes. 80% of my con-peers have intermarried & are out of the Jewish loop & if married to a Jew, have1.5 kids!
This group came out of the 50’s when con-shuls were stronger.
Today’s #’s are worse. Permit me to rephrase your words: You are reactionary against anything to your right. (My con-rabbi obm, used to say,all Jews should continually move to the right!)Halachic Judaism has produced rulings that you sadly see as repugnant & you have become alienated along with the majority of the world’s disappearing Jews. Remember that only 1/5 merited leaving Egypt. It sounds like you would have been left behind! I can only hope your bright-eyed optimism can maintain a movement of construction, but for the last 40 yrs, there has been destruction of key building blocks of Judaism.
As for Israel, there are 2 major groups and 1 minor group-
You have the religious secular which respects Judaism and will never tinker with the Book, you have the multi-flavor religious who maintain the Book and you have the self-hating Jews and reformers who want to throw out the book or rewrite it-
to their way of thinking. Sorry to hear you are alienated from traditional Judaism- Perhaps this Pesach you will become free from your enslaved feelings! Happy Pesach!
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Joshua Pines
03/30/09 03:59 PM
I don’t think it’s salvageable. Conservative Judaism has strayed too far. Sadly.