Revolution of the Jewish Spirit (ebook)

Argumento de Revolution of the Jewish Spirit (ebook)

Prepare to revive your Jewish community with the transformative power of the Divine spirit.

"Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel have correctly identified Ruakh as a key missing ingredient in Jewish institutional life, especially in the synagogue. Their call is for a revolution of spirit, a rejuvenation of our purpose, our worship, even our sacred spaces. It is recognition that the craving for community can bring people back to our institutions, if we welcome, engage and inspire them."
?from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson

In this practical and engaging guide to reinvigorating Jewish life, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel identify the difference between a living synagogue and a dying one, and offer methods for reviving the Jewish spiritual centers?federations, community centers, institutions and synagogues?that serve as the heart of Jewish tradition and your life. They offer practical strategies for sustaining and expanding transformation, including tips for providing impassioned leadership, inspired programming and inviting sacred spaces. Whether you are clergy, congregant or community member, this guide will help you awaken your spirit and enliven your journey to a Ruakh -filled life.

"Read this extremely interesting and impressive book.... It offers hope, courage and inspiration to all who long to find or renew a congregation with spirit, learning, art, sustainability and radical hospitality."
?Rabbi Rachel Cowan, senior fellow, Institute for Jewish Spirituality

"Rabbi B and Ellen Frankel have opened their hearts, directed their minds, and shared their soulfulness so that a path long covered is again revealed! We are invited to dance our liberation, and the ancient incense of Torah ascends through their wondrous insights."
?Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies; vice president, American Jewish University; author, Passing Life's Tests: Spiritual Reflections on The Trial of Abraham, the Binding of Isaac

?Inspiring! Refreshing! Visionary and pragmatic, traditional and innovative, personal and institutional, spiritual and authentic! A must read for anyone interested in the reimagining and revitalizing of contemporary Jewish life.?
?Rabbi Irwin Kula, co-editor, The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL's Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals & Blessings; president, CLAL?The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership

?For those who have lost faith in our people and institutions.... Provides important ideas to help us improve our own synagogues and communities. Ruakh might also be the most important missing ingredient of Federation life. Revolution of Jewish Spirit can help us there as well.?
?Barry Shrage, president, Combined Jewish Philanthropies

?Every religious leader, clergy and lay, will find something of value for the managing and guiding of religious institutions to become centers of spirit and community. An important addition to the happily widening bookshelf for all interested in synagogue transformation.?
?Rabbi Mordecai Finley, spiritual leader, Ohr HaTorah Synagogue, Mar Vista, California; professor of liturgy, mysticism, and Jewish ethics, Academy for Jewish Religion

?From radical hospitality, to synaguides, to under-constructionists, this book made me think about the language we use in Jewish life today and the way it can revive or dilute human spirit.... An intimate portrait of synagogue life ... to help readers discover and re-discover the wonder of Judaism.?
?Dr. Erica Brown, author, Inspired Jewish Leadership: Practical Approaches to Building Strong Communities and Spiritual Boredom: Rediscovering the Wonder of Judaism

?An inspiring and insightful manifesto to breathe life into the American synagogue in this age of choice and change. Filled with candid advice and specific examples of purpose and strategy, it?s valuable reading for clergy and lay synagogue leaders.?
?Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, Institute for Jewish Spirituality0Foreword ix
Introduction: Revolution of Jewish Spirit xiii
Part 1: Journey Forth
1. Lech Lecha : Individual Call to Journey 3
2. Na'aseh : Communal Call to Journey 21
3. Choose Life: Choosing to Journey 33
Part II: From the Known to the Unknown
4. The "When" of Ruakh : Erotic Shabbat 51
5. The "What" of Ruakh : The Synaplex Experience 65
6. The ?Who? of Ruakh : Re-Membering the Tribe 95

Part III: And You Shall Be a Blessing
7. Vision and Visionaries 115
8. Future Shul 135
9. Revenue Revolution 151
Conclusion: And You Shall Be a Blessing 171
Acknowledgments 177
Notes 184
Suggestions for Further Reading 187