It’s been 33 years since our prayerbook, “Gates of Prayer” was published by the Reform movement’s CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis). The book was received with some skepticism, especially by those who preferred the “Union Prayerbook”. Change is rarely easy. At Beth Israel, we honor the “Union Prayerbook” and its adherents with an annual Heritage Shabbat service. The classical Reform music and liturgy still speak to Temple members who grew up with the book and the cadence of its familiar passages. Since “Gates of Prayer” was published in 1975, Reform congregations have made it their principal prayerbook and subsequent generations have known nothing else. The readings flow easily from the mouths of regular worshipers and weekly Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. Now the Reform Movement has published a new prayerbook for the 21st century, and it’s called “Mishkan Tefilah.”
Like its predecessor, “Mishkan Tefilah” has been received by rabbis and congregations with more than a little skepticism. It has its inherent advantages: transliterated Hebrew on the same page as English, explanations of prayers, and alternative readings. It also has its challenges. To be sure that we are prepared for any change we want to choose as a congregation, I’ve asked the Worship Committee, under the able leadership of Bobby Lapin, to spend up to a year to investigate, discuss and pilot the new prayerbook before the committee reaches any conclusion with our other rabbis, cantor, and me.
The discussion will begin with the Worship Committee, but it will continue in a pilot program that will include opportunities to use the new prayerbook in an actual worship service. In order not to disrupt Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, our pilot worship services will be held in the chapel on specific Friday nights. You will know in advance when these services will be held so that you can anticipate the experience and feel welcome into it. Of course, your feedback will be welcome after each pilot service.
As part of this year-long process and important conversation, I want to invite you to share your personal feelings about your spiritual needs, how you care to worship, and what you hope will be true about a prayerbook at Beth Israel in the future. When you share your comments, please feel free to email them or send them privately by regular mail. You may choose to send them to me and/or to Bobby Lapin, and indicate if you want to make your letter available to the committee or if you want to keep it confidential. To reach the Worship Committee, write to: cbiworshipcommittee@gmail.com. Please know that this e-mail address is password protected so that only Bobby Lapin can gain access to it.
However you choose to participate, please begin by knowing that the process will be thoughtful and thorough. We are not ‘becoming Conservative” or “going off the deep-end.” Beth Israel is a leader in Reform Judaism. We must participate in the conversation being held in Reform congregations around the country. The steps we take will ultimately send a signal to other Reform congregations that share our concerns about the future of Reform Judaism and its prayerbook. With your input, I believe that the diligent work of our Worship Committee, combined with the outlook of our rabbis and cantor, will lead us to choose the right way for Beth Israel. Will it also be a good way?
Torah teaches that God provides us with what we need to choose the “right and good way.” How can we distinguish between what is right and good? If it’s right, isn’t it also good? Our Rabbis explained that it is in our hands to choose the right way; it’s in God’s judgment whether or not it is also good. Our deliberative process will surely lead us to choose what we believe is the right way. We will pray, together, that God will judge us for good. No doubt, my predecessors chose carefully before changes in worship were made, and they prayed deeply about it. Today, we look back fondly on many of their innovations. It’s my hope and prayer that in the near future we will benefit from the collective wisdom of our Temple members and leaders, and give thanks for the blessing of new and familiar words with which to offer our praise to God.
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.
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