By Joel A Moskowitz M D
LA JOLLA, California — Why go to Synagogue? A recent lecture from a rabbinical leader of Reform Judiasm induced us to write this essay. It is from a personal experience, not from a member of the religious hierarchy. With almost eight decades of being a Jew, with various involvements with religion, my religious thinking albeit from a layperson, merits, I would believe, some attention from those who are concerned with the decreasing attendence in institutions of all persuasions.
This past Friday night service almost had no vacant seats. It was a special night celebrating an anniversary of the synagogue. My wife and I have done a unscientific analysis of the congregants. Seems to us, one third are there for yahrzeit, one third are there because a member of their family is celebrating a Bar/Bat mitzvah, and one third are looking forward to a grand Oneg Shabbat.
Prayer and/or spirituality don’t have the emphasis you would expect in a House of Prayer. In this Reform setting, only a few seemed to know how to read Hebrew, or to sing the songs. This is accentuated often by the rabbi’s speedy announcements of the pages, which hop around. This function seems to be a tedious duty. The dulcet tones of the cantor are often pleasurable but the lack of familiarity with the melodies turns the congregation into an ‘audience’.
The Jews compulsively identify the donors, of money and/or time. In one synagogue on the East Coast, the walls were covered by three-inch-by-ten-inch names of families who have “contributed.” There was not one wall space but so adorned. At the Shabbat service, those seated will hear a recitation of the members and staff who have “served.” One can understand that this is a way of honoring and potentially stimulating donations of time, effort and money. But it is not inspiring.
My wife Arlene, an attorney and a first soprano, has sung in choirs in many Synagogues. A recent performance of the Italian “Nella Fantasia” was vocally appreciated by the attendees of the interdenominational meeting. She is yeshiva trained and speaks Hebrew as well as an Israeli does. By contrast, her stellar performance in a Jewish House of Worship, although praised by the choir master/cantor, went without compliments from the congregants.
One would expect the Synagogue to be a communal center where warmth, caring and friendship would be prevalent. Many complain that they have experienced the opposite. Almost a xenophobic attitude. Those who know one another, perhaps being fortunate to have a Chavurah, may be seen to be chatting away. Many are oblivious to ‘newcomers’; almost shun them. The Torah advocates welcoming the stranger.
Although Christian church attendance is declining as well, the word ‘love’ is more prevalent in those religious centers in spirit and in action. Some have attributed the decline in all religious institutions to the critical attack by secular scholars against non-scientific history. Those places of worship which inspire have no fear of skeptics.
Sister Act, a movie and then a theatre production, is a charming demonstration of spiritual success. I am a physician and part of my prescription for the sickness of synagogues, is that their leaders see Sister Act and strive to emulate the joy, hope and love portrayed.
Going forward with the analogy of medicine/treatment, a good doctor tailors his dosage to the age of the patients, and respects the other health issues which the patient may have. Insisting that senior citizens contribute to the Day School is anachronistic.
Endorsing a hedonistic irreligious orgy as part of the Bar/Bat mitzvah is not a mitzvah at all. Party planners are ever ready to marshal a combination of break dancing, tattooing, basketball games to “please” the invitees to the coming-of-age party. If Sodom and Gemorrah needs demonstration, one of these orgies will suffice.
Needed is a survey/interview of each congregant to understand what each desires in the synagogue; what each can/will bring to the community.
The rabbi and the cantor and the administrative staff, paid and volunteer, need to compute what assets they have: monetary, personnel, and environmental. to set the logistics for spiritual nourishment of their flock. Advisors with marketing skills may be necessary. An ongoing measure of the needs of the congregation and the available resources is best.
How many times has the reader seen a blind person, or a deaf person or a disabled person or any with special needs in his/her synagogue? Attention to including these individuals should be set as a priority as great as outreach to interfaith couples and/or gay/lesbian couples.
The teaching of Judaism is a vital ingredient in its survival. Eloquent, even entertaining, sermons should be an important part of any service. The rabbi, cantor, and staff should demonstrate by action and deed the essential benefits of joining with other Jews in prayer. It is not enough to say “Mishaberach;” reaching out to those sick in mind and body can be more therapeutic than a pill.
Learning is a prime element of Judaism. The Torah and writings are sources of instruction. Teaching by example facilitates learning.
If the synagogue will offer a friendly, helpful, uplifting, hope-inspiring enviroment, it is humbly prophesized that it will succeed in serving all of us.
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Dr. Moskowitz is a freelance writer based in La Jolla. He may be contacted at joel.moskowitz@sdjewishworld.com