Reconstructionist/Conservative Synagogues???
Judaism, Jewish culture, Jewish Community, Politics of Religion, Conservative, Reconstructionist April 8th, 2007Over the last couple of days I managed to stumble across two separate synagogues which identify themselves as being Reconstructionist/Conservative affiliated institutions and to be honest I’m a little bit confused by it. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s a great idea and both times I stumbled across this phenomenon my gut reaction was one of “hey that’s really cool” but I’m just not clear on how it works.
All right I realized that in terms of lineage the Reconstructionist movement evolved out of and split from the Conservative movement so there’s obviously a historical connection. I just sort of assumed that there were a handful of irreconcilable differences between both groups and that’s why they split apart but I’m far from being an expert on the subject.
If I understand things correctly Reconstructionist’s completely reject the notion of Chosenness as well as the binding nature of halachick law. Again if I understand things correctly both of these things are essential components of the Conservative Theology. Therefore I’m left wondering, how are these two apparent contradictions reconciled in communities that claim duel Reconstructionist & Conservative affiliation?
I thought that the Reconstructionist had full acceptance, inclusion and equality for same-sex couples and this until very recently hasn’t been the case within the Conservative movement. So how did people work around this right up until last fall? Also although the conservative movement has struggled towards rectifying the same-sex situation it’s still as I see it not full equality because the Leviticus prohibition has been upheld in terms of male/male sexual relationships. So again how are such duel affiliation communities addressing this issue that is if it’s an issue at all, I guess I’m not really sure?
There are probably other contradictions which come into play but the above are the only ones which came to mind while I was writing this post.
Anyhow the bottom line is that I think it’s an amazing thing that there’re communities which are apparently making both theological commitments work together, I’m just not sure I get how it works.
So basically if anyone is a member of such a community or understands how this works I’d love for you to explain it to me.
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April 8th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
There’s things like this everywhere. Hell, in Nebraska where I lived the Reform shul and Conservative shul have a shared Hebrew school.
Now … talk about some differences and a need to reconcile …
April 8th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Yeah I hear you I’m sure that’s gotta be a complicated relationship but I don’t think it’s the same thing.
From what I gather these two synagogues aren’t just shared spaces they are dual affiliated but I could be wrong. It’s one thing to share space which is something I can understand. I mean I’ve even heard of Jewish communities holding services in church basements and I know of several communities where Unitarians and Reform Congregations share facilities.
But like I said these two synagogues from what I understand are dual affiliated. There was nothing there that indicated that either of them was a shared synagogue building with two separate communities.
April 10th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
OK, how about this: My security word was “twin” and here we are talking about “twinning” affiliations of synagogues!
Yes, it is my understanding that there are some shuls out there that really are dually affiliated. I wish I could remember where now, but just the other day I ran across a reference to a Reconstructionist/Conservative synagogue.
As someone who has little use for the “movements” and their institutional apparatus, I find it refreshing that there are local institutions out there that do not affiliate with just one of the larger organizations.
Having said that, I also wonder how such a shul straddles the rather significant differences that do exist.
I, for one, find most Reconstructionist interpretations really appealing, except that I don’t much care for their tossing Chosenness aside, for I fail to see what the purpose of being the Jewish People is if it is not to proclaim the message of The Eternal to all the peoples of the earth. If not that, then it’s just a collection of cultural and religious identities and rituals. So, could I be a “Reconstructionist” but one who believes in Chosenness? Well, as I said, I do not have much use for the movements and their institutional apparatus, so why not?
And, wouldn’t you know, I belong to a Reform shul.