Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities

So much of leading well is feeling supported by the congregation,

If a reflective life is meant to be more than just affirming our existing beliefs, then Torah provides the opportunity to engage with life more fully.

in the twenty-first century—a Judaism that has been undersold and watered down. It is a Judaism where those who know its beauty are often unable or unwilling to connect to the larger Jewish community, and those on the front lines of the welcome wagon to Judaism have little skill or facility with Jewish texts to elucidate their beauty to others.

The faculty model for the students what it means to learn in havruta, to be surprised and challenged by the text, and to create relationships with peers through study.

Has a prayer service ever moved you to tears? In some ways, I think this is the ultimate goal of prayer—to unlock some of the emotional space that is cordoned off by the modern world.

In truth, public prayer allows for individual pace and expression much more than a page announcement might imply.

Without this path to empowerment, no amount of cajoling or opportunities would have inspired someone to try to perform an unfamiliar ritual act. But once people had the opportunity to learn in a safe setting how to perform the ritual, they were eager to try during services.

Those engaged in a life of study know that the consummate orientation to the Jewish tradition is one in which you will never know enough.

that is where the deep power of learning Jewish texts actually lies—in the possibility that something unexpected will emerge.