Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Background

Reconstructionists understand Judaism as an evolving religious civilization and themselves as partners in this evolution. While tradition is the bedrock upon which Reconstructionism is founded, Reconstructionist Jews are willing to confront the tension that exists between inherited traditions and contemporary perspectives.

It is a well known fact that non-Jews are increasingly involved in Jewish congregations. Jews in North America have intermarried with non-Jews at an accelerating rate over the past 30 years. More and more non-Jews -- partners/spouses, grandparents, children, in-laws and siblings -- are involved in the life of synagogues in some way, whether for specific events (like a baby naming or bar/bat mitzvah), or through longer term commitments (such as attending services, supporting religious education, or participating in social action activities).

The reality of non-Jews in congregational life presents Jewish Reconstructionist Federation congregations with both an opportunity and a dilemma. While valuing an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, Reconstructionists also value the integrity of Jewish ritual and community. Many congregations are grappling with the issues raised by non-Jews in community life; Reconstructionist congregations care about the definition of who is a Jew and the perpetuation of Jews as a distinct and unique people. It is therefore important to maintain the distinction between Jew and non-Jew.

The presence of non-Jews in JRF congregations and havurot almost always implies a commitment to Jewish partners, to raising children Jewishly and/or to spiritual quests. Rather than a threat to communities, the presence of non-Jews in Reconstructionist congregations is an opportunity not to be ignored or treated lightly.

The JRF Task Force on the Role of non-Jews was formed with a view toward helping JRF congregations answer the important and sometimes difficult questions about non-Jews in congregational life. For two and one-half years, the Task Force has been working -- studying, discussing, taking experiences and insights from focus groups, and reading published material. This report provides a model and offers guidance for congregations in designing their own educational and decision making processes; most importantly, it recognizes that decision making rightly takes place at the congregational level.

The report offers guidelines, not rules; recommendations, not regulations. It recognizes the wide range of practice within the Reconstructionist movement and respects the diversity such practice represents. The report provides a framework within which to explore issues and policies.

Recommendations

This report views the role of non-Jews through the lens of values that have their roots in Jewish tradition and Reconstructionist ritual and practice. Values discussed in the report include: commitment to community; connection to God; democracy; diversity; holiness (kedushah); human dignity; integrity of Jewish ritual practice; Jewish continuity and the survival of the Jewish people; Jewish education; maintaining an inviting and accepting atmosphere; preservation of Jewish tradition; preserving peace in the home (shalom bayit); and welcoming the stranger/guest (hahnasat orhim).

Based on these values, the JRF makes the following recommendations:

Recommendation 1: Membership

A non-Jew who is married/partnered to a Jewish member or divorced/ widowed from one or is the custodial guardian of a Jewish child may be a member of a JRF congregation; however, if the non-Jew is actively involved in another religion, ways other than membership to participate in the communal life of JRF congregations should be made available. Children who receive formal instruction in another religion must not be enrolled in JRF religious schools.

Recommendation 2: Membership Application Process

Congregations should review their membership application forms to ensure that they obtain information on religious status from prospective members.

Recommendation 3: Holding Office

Because the positions of president, vice-president(s), treasurer and secretary represent the congregation inside and outside the Jewish community, these offices must be held by Jews. Officers hold real influence and power and must model Jewish commitment and knowledge.

Recommendation 4: Committee Chairs

The Ritual, Religious School, and Adult Education Committees, because they require knowledge of and deep commitment to Judaism, must have Jewish chairpersons. Only Jews should supervise service leaders and educators.

Recommendation 5: Minyan

A minyan must be comprised of ten adult Jews. In emergencies, an ark or humash or a minor who is involved in the prayer service may be counted as a tenth person.

Recommendation 6: Leading Worship

The sheliah tzibur (prayer leader) must be Jewish; appropriate opportunities to participate in the prayer service may be offered to non-Jews.

Recommendation 7: Aliyot

Aliyot, hagbah (lifting the Torah), and gelilah (wrapping the Torah) must be reserved for Jews.

Recommendation 8: Blessings (Berahot)

Particularistic blessings, those containing the words asher kideshanu bemitzvotav (who made us holy through your commandments), must be reserved for Jews. Universalistic blessings, (birhot nehenin, blessings of enjoyment), may be said by non-Jews.

Recommendation 9: Use of Synagogue Ceremonial Objects

Only when weddings/commitment ceremonies are between two Jews may synagogue ceremonial objects (huppah, kiddush cup) be used.

Recommendation 10: Brit Milah (Covenant of Circumcision) and Brit Banot (Covenant Ceremony for Baby Girls)

In welcoming children to the ongoing life of the Jewish community, non-Jewish participation may include:

• Affirmation of respect during the covenantal berahot recited during brit milah. Affirmation of respect refers to inviting a non-Jewish family member (supportive of the family's Jewish involvement) to the bimah to witness as Jewish family members declare their commitment to Torah.
  
  
• Sheheheyanu prayer.
  
  
• Personal prayers and supplementary readings.

Recommendation 11: Beney Mitzvah

In conjunction with beney mitzvah ceremonies, non-Jewish family members who encouraged the child's preparation and education may be included in the following ways:

• Affirmation of respect at Erev Shabbat candle lighting or during the Torah service.
  
  
• Sheheheyanu prayer.
  
  
• Personal prayers and supplementary readings.
  
  
• Presenting the Tallit.
  
  
• Addressing personal remarks to the bar/bat mitzvah.
  
  
• Ark opening.
  
  
• Making the motzi.
  
  
• Meeting with the rabbi to plan the service.
  
  
• Working on social action and/or study projects.

Recommendation 12: Marriage, Aufruf, Anniversary

When a non-Jewish partner is supportive of the Jewish partner's involvement in the Jewish community, congregations should honor the couple's desire to celebrate aufruf and anniversaries, and offer blessings and readings. The non-Jew can participate in:

• Affirmation of respect.
  
  
• Sheheheyanu prayer.
  
  
• Personal prayers and supplementary readings.

Process and Decision Making

As outlined above, these recommendations are guidelines for JRF congregations in making decisions concerning the role of non-Jews within their community life. Congregations should make decisions on the role of non-Jews in advance of a crisis, in a calm and measured atmosphere, rather than when pressing issues force emotionally charged decisions.

Discussing the role of the non-Jew can be enormously rewarding, allowing all involved to have a better understanding of the rules and boundaries in their community. Establishing clear rules also minimizes the confusion and pain that can accompany difficult situations in important life cycle events. The absence of clear policies and procedures is a disservice to Jews and non-Jews alike.

The JRF believes that it is essential to have a carefully developed process for sensitive discussion and decision making, and a process deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Jewish tradition welcomes study, discussion and respectful disagreement. The process of making policies provides an opportunity to strengthen a community through studying and discussing texts, exploring history and tradition, discovering the many facets of Jewish identity, and, creating a frank and honest exchange among congregants and families. When Jewish values inform decisions, Jewish life is deepened for both the congregation and its individual members.

The model this Task Force has used in doing its work -- and the one we urge congregations to use in developing their own policies -- is based on paradigms developed from Reconstructionist values-based decision making:

• Study of Jewish sources and practice.
  
  
• Study of current information from the social and natural sciences.
  
  
• Reflection on values.
  
  
• Analysis of the impact of each possible decision on each affected party.
  
  
• Democratic and inclusive process, maximizing the number of participants.

The Reconstructionist movement affirms the value of local autonomy. Even when congregations utilize similar decision making processes, they may emerge from these discussions with divergent policies. Study of traditional and contemporary sources about decision making resulted in formulating a ten-step model for congregations and havurot discussing the role of the non-Jew:

1. Appoint an Inclusivity Committee that reflects all the views and constituencies of the congregation.
   
   
2. Create a trusting atmosphere.
   
   
3. Examine the congregation's mission and underlying values.
   
   
4. Determine who will be affected by the decisions.
   
   
5. Consider the issues in membership, ritual and governance.
   
   
6. Explore which values pertain and which values conflict in each area.
   
   
7. Select appropriate means to educate the congregation including the board) once the Inclusivity Committee arrives at a series of positions.
   
   
8. Vote on the positions at the committee and board levels.
   
   
9. Make policies available to all members and prospective members.
   
   
10. Continue the educational process.

By following these ten points, a congregation should be able to implement a values-based decision making process to educate people and enable everyone to feel richer for the experience. Embodied within the report are a more thorough discussion of values used in decision making, an annotated bibliography, and documents from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation that can further help congregations engaged in this process.

The presence of non-Jews in JRF congregations presents an opportunity for discovery, discussion and decision making. The principle of mahloket shehi leshem shamayim (controversy for the sake of heaven) is a long-standing Jewish tradition which teaches that communities always have struggled to define ritual and communal norms, as in the disputes of Shammai and Hillel.

This report seeks to underscore the importance of a values-based Reconstructionist decision making process, and to reinforce that each congregation has the right and responsibility to make autonomous decisions that best reflect the culture and reality of the particular community.

Engaging in a serious, carefully developed and inclusive process, one deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, offers JRF congregations the opportunity to enhance Jewish identity, strengthen their communities, and deepen Jewish life and practice.