Dear Chevre,

One of the best things about Beth El is there are so many different ways to be involved.  One of the frustrating things about Beth El is it isn't always clear how things happen or who is in charge of what.  Eventually, our new website will contain a guide to Beth El that will make information about policies and procedures more readily accessible to anyone who is interested.  For now, the following letter from Aviva Starr on behalf of the ritual committee gives you a window into their role and when you might want to approach them.

Appreciative of whatever ways you engage with Beth El,  
Rachel Galanter
President, Beth El Synagogue

The Beth El Ritual Committee has 10 congregant members who work in conjunction with Rabbi Greyber.  We meet monthly to discuss the logistics of services and ritual events along with ritual questions. 

 

This winter a congregant asked if Beth El could return to the previous congregational practice of informing the office of an ill person to be added to a list read on Shabbat as part of the misheberach cholim (prayer for the sick).  For the past few years, we have asked people to stand up and one by one say names (and possibly relationship).  Since Pesach, the Ritual Committee conducted a trial period of reading a full list of Cholim during the R'fuah Shleimah along with asking people to stand and state the names of additional people. 

 

In an email sent to the congregation in April the Ritual Committee explained this trial period and asked people to send me their reactions/thoughts.  Few people responded; however, the responses were equal in those who liked this custom and those who didn't.  After an approximately 12 week trial period the Ritual Committee has chosen to continue to read the full list and have people stand and add people to the list.  Rabbi Greyber or the Gabbai will read the list each Shabbat.

 

Congregants can call Sheri in the office or email her at [email protected] to add names to the list.  We request your help in keeping this list current by also calling when a name should be taken off of the list.  This information will also be shared with the Community of Caring Committee so they can provide additional support to those who might need it. 

 

You may wonder what other issues the Ritual Committee has discussed.  This past year, we oversaw the High Holiday services; reviewed siddurim with transliteration to assist non Hebrew readers; and gave input on the new microphones in the sanctuary.  Along with the question about the Misheberach Cholim, congregants brought two other questions to the Ritual Committee.  What were these questions?

  • As an egalitarian congregation, why does the current policy differentiate the age at which boys and girls are eligible for their B'nei Mitzvah at Beth El? (Decision: for all children who celebrate their B'nei Mitzvah in the main sanctuary, the child must be 13 or older according to their Hebrew birthdate.  All attempts will be made to have their B'nei Mitzvah within 3 months of this date.)
  • Is there a way to celebrate/acknowledge the upcoming marriage of a congregant or child of a congregant to a non-Jew? (Decision: new Ritual developed that will take place at the end of Shabbat services; including Kiddush, a special kavanah/intent read by the couple, and hamotzi with honey to wish them sweetness.)

So is this process working? It is in the sense that Beth El has functioning and meaningful services.  Congregants can raise questions to the committee.  How is it not working?  The Ritual Committee isn't sure that all congregants know that they can bring questions to the committee.  The three questions brought to the Ritual Committee this year were raised by a member of the board, a person on the Gabbaim listserv and jointly by two members who serve on the Ritual and Community of Caring Committees.  You shouldn't have to be "on the in" to bring forth a question.  Plus, services may not be working for everyone.  People should have a place to discuss new options-possible new rituals, that would make ritual life at Beth El meaningful for others. 

 

So do you have a question? Always wondered why you must wear a tallis and kipah on the bima? Interested in changing/adding to the liturgy in the Shabbat Service? Want to commemorate an event not traditionally recognized in Judaism?  Please bring it forward.  As the chair of the Ritual Committee I invite you to email me, Aviva at [email protected].  Informational questions like why we require a tallis and kipah on the bima will be responded to by a member of the committee or the Rabbi. If you have requests about adapting ritual life, liturgy or policies of Beth El then the Ritual Committee may ask you to attend a meeting, present your interests and then the committee will take the question under advisement.  The committee is volunteer run so it may take a few months to come to a decision.  However, we want to hear from you.  So please drop me a note...Ritual Life at Beth El belongs to all of us.

 

B'shalom,

Aviva Starr

Chair, Beth El Ritual Committee

Beth El Synagogue
1004 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919)682-1238 | Email Us
Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook!