Have no questions at all, just want to say this was very enjoyable . . .
Zelda Wise



I see a problem with the Reform Movement becoming more traditional in that, in many cases, it seems inauthentic. I recently spent some time in Israel studying “Prayer and Spirituality” with Rabbi Levi Kelman and other members of his Reform synagogue in Jerusalem, Kol HaNeshama. It became clear to me that many, many North American Reform congregations use Kol HaNeshama as a model for their own synagogues. The problem, however, is that while Kol HaNeshama is deeply spiritual and wondrous, it is unique. When another congregation uses it as a model, instead . . . they tend to mimic it. Then the service comes across as theater.

I recently left my congregation of 30 years because it felt inauthentic. I realized that my old congregation had tried to model itself after Kol HaNeshama and had done it badly. I joined my current (Reform) synagogue because of the rabbi and cantor, who try only to be themselves. Thus the service is warm and soothing—an oasis of calm and nourishment from the din and chaos of the rest of the week. The service isn’t trying to be “more traditional” or “less traditional.” It just IS—it is truly Jewish, comfortable and comforting. The push for “traditional” can be stilted and come across as phony. Congregations need to watch out for this.
Janet Richmond



I read with interest the Eilu V’eilu on reclaiming tradition. Personally, I am uncomfortable with the interdiction of much of the ritual in today’s Reform Movement. I grew up almost militantly Reform. I belong to a Rock Choir at my Temple.

On the other hand, I understand that it is “Reform,” not “Reformed,” and that the Movement must adapt and evolve. When my son celebrates his bar mitzvah this fall, we will wear kippot and we will present him with a tallit. However, I am conflicted about it.

But what really bothers me is the lack of respect some of these new traditionalists are giving to old fashioned Reform. I was extremely disturbed when I read an article about Kutz Camp, where campers walked out of a jazz service. This is just as disrespectful as if I tried to make them stop davening.
Jonathan Zabin



Our congregation is the oldest Reform congregation in America. For over two years a controversy has raged concerning hanging a parochet [curtain] in the Aron HaKodesh [the Ark]. Most of the proponents feel this is both respectful of the Torahs and of those who visit us to worship. Those who are opponents feel the parochet is unneeded and would detract from their worship experience.

The proponents have been willing to compromise and the opponents are not willing to compromise at all. The opponents believe that those who desire to “reclaim” traditional forms should go to the Conservative or Orthodox synagogues “down the road.”

How can a Reform Jew or congregation “reclaim” tradition in light of such “my way or the highway” opposition? How does one address the inner conflict of the desire to “do what is right and just in the eyes of the Lord” and yet show compassion and understanding for those who do not agree with the desire to reclaim meaningful ritual and traditional forms?
Joel Hunter Cook
Charleston, South Carolina



I would like to thank both gentlemen for the discussion of this subject. I am a new subscriber to Eilu V’eilu and my husband and I are struggling with and exploring this issue right now.

I grew up in a Conservative synagogue, and as an adult I belonged to Reconstruction and Conservative and now Reform. My husband, although not Jewish, is a ger toshav (one whos embraces Judaism).

We love our large Reform temple and all it has to offer (especially the Torah study group, lifelong learning opportunities and friend we have made there) but don’t relate well to the formality of the services, especially the organ music. It seems there is a low level of participation among the congregants. We are much more drawn to a traditional service with traditional melodies that can be learned and sung week after week (without having to learn new and difficult tunes each week). We have begun exploring services at a small Conservative synagogue near us, so I find it very timely that this is the topic under discussion.
Leah Sauer



I had a comment on Larry Kaufman’s response. If one wears a tallit as a form of solidarity rather than for the sake of the mitzvah, then where do we draw the line? No one can do all mitzvot, and if by saying you are avoiding the entire commandment of, say, wearing a tallit as a reminder to do the remaining 612 mitzvot (as is written in the Torah) and instead, wear the tallit as a show of solidarity as you say, then what is accomplished by this? Sorry to say but regardless of why you wear it, you are doing the mitzvah. As I see it (and I really do not wish to sound like the hard-headed religious bloggers I have come across but rather as a sincerely interested and searching Jew—who loves this forum, by the way) whether it be wearing a tallit or putting a mezuzah up as a signpost on your home and on your gates, it is still a mitzvah and yes, I think it is a show of solidarity. I think the point is that we need to show that we are one within a community of Jews.
David Weinstein
Boca Raton, Florida