Finding a Spiritual Home: How a New Generation of Jews Can Transform the American Synagogue - Hardcover

Schwarz, Sidney

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787951749 ISBN 13: 9780787951740

Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub, 2000

Synopsis

In this illuminating look at Judaism's future, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz offers a penetrating analysis of the American Jewish community, challenging American synagogues to respond to a generation of seekers and satisfy the spiritual hunger of the "new American Jew." This groundbreaking book not only reveals the possibilities of this new, vital spiritual culture, but also offers strategies for transforming any congregation into a place that the Jews of today can truly call home.

About this title

About the Author

Sidney Schwarz is the founder and president of The Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and values, an educational foundation dedicated to renewal of American Jewish life through Judaic study, social justice, and civic activism. He is the founding rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, MD and the author of two books and numerous articles on contemporary Jewish life.

From the Back Cover

Like countless others of their generation, many post-war American Jews have abandoned the religion of their birth to search for a spiritual home in other traditions. Some find their way back to the faith of their heritage, but why do so many find that the synagogue has not met their needs?

In this illuminating look at Judaism's future, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz offers a penetrating analysis of the American Jewish community, challenging American synagogues to respond to a generation of seekers and satisfy the spiritual hunger of the "new American Jew." This groundbreaking book not only reveals the possibilities of this new, vital spiritual culture, but also offers strategies for transforming any congregation into a place that the Jews of today can truly call home.

Arguing for the creation of a new model-the synagogue community-Schwarz profiles four innovative synagogues (one from each of the major movements in American Judaism) that have had extraordinary success with this new approach to congregational life. Schwarz presents ways to replicate their success and transform our understanding of the synagogue and its potential for American Jews.

Highlighting specific strategies to transform existing congregations or to create new ones, Finding a Spiritual Home is an eloquent and powerful call to spiritual seekers to explore the riches of the Jewish tradition. With compelling accounts of Jews who "came home" to Judaism, this book conveys a message of hope for every Jew who is longing for connection, transcendence, and purpose in Judaism-every Jew who seeks a spiritual home.

A added bonus in the book is a discussion guide for book clubs and study groups.

Photo by Ben Forman

Sidney Schwarz is the founder and president of The Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, an educational foundation dedicated to renewal of American Jewish life through Judaic study, social justice, and civic activism. He is the founding rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, MD and the author of two books and numerous articles on contemporary Jewish life.

[back jacket]
Finding a Spiritual Home
"A generation of American Jews, desperate to find greater meaning and spirituality in their lives, is unable to satisfy their needs in synagogues. Instead, they search elsewhere. We are losing some of the most sensitive spiritual souls of this generation."
Sidney Schwarz

"An extraordinary book. A clarion call for spiritual leadership in a post-ethnic age."
Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Hebrew Union College, New York; co-founder, Synagogue 2000: Institute for the Synagogue of the Twenty-First Century

"Schwarz, an outstanding community builder and creative figure in American Jewry, has written a thoughtful, insightful treatment of the synagogue, its limits and its real potential to sustain a new generation of Jews. If you care about the future of Jewry, you want to read this book."
Rabbi Irving Greenberg, president, Jewish Life Network; author, The Jewish Way

"With stories both of individuals and synagogues, Sidney Schwarz shows that old religious structures can indeed become alive with new spiritual meaning, sensitive to generational change. His is an encouraging, beautifully-written account of congregations in positive transition-at once inspiring and instructive."
Wade Clark Roof, author, A Generation of Seekers: The Spiritual Journeys of the Baby Boom Generation and Spiritual Marketplace

"Finding a Spiritual Home is one of the most thoughtful and provocative books I have ever encountered. This is the right book at the right time."
Jonathan Woocher, executive vice president, Jewish Education Service of North America; author, Sacred Survival: The Civil Religion of American Jews

". . . A must-read. Schwarz's account of several new-paradigm synagogues working on the cutting edge of Jewish spirituality is richly detailed and the personal stories of seekers and their paths into Judaism are com

From the Inside Flap

Like countless others of their generation, many post-war American Jews have abandoned the religion of their birth to search for a spiritual home in other traditions. Some find their way back to the faith of their heritage, but why do so many find that the synagogue has not met their needs?In this illuminating look at Judaism's future, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz offers a penetrating analysis of the American Jewish community, challenging American synagogues to respond to a generation of seekers and satisfy the spiritual hunger of the "new American Jew." This groundbreaking book not only reveals the possibilities of this new, vital spiritual culture, but also offers strategies for transforming any congregation into a place that the Jews of today can truly call home.Arguing for the creation of a new model-the synagogue community-Schwarz profiles four innovative synagogues (one from each of the major movements in American Judaism) that have had extraordinary success with this new approach to congregational life. Schwarz presents ways to replicate their success and transform our understanding of the synagogue and its potential for American Jews.Highlighting specific strategies to transform existing congregations or to create new ones, Finding a Spiritual Home is an eloquent and powerful call to spiritual seekers to explore the riches of the Jewish tradition. With compelling accounts of Jews who "came home" to Judaism, this book conveys a message of hope for every Jew who is longing for connection, transcAndence, and purpose in Judaism-every Jew who seeks a spiritual home.A added bonus in the book is a discussion guide for book clubs and study groups.Photo by Ben FormanSidney Schwarz is the founder and president of The Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, an educational foundation dedicated to renewal of American Jewish life through Judaic study, social justice, and civic activism. He is the founding rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstruc

Reviews

The newest calling of the American Jewish community--transforming the synagogue into a "spiritual home"--finds its voice in Schwarz's profile of four model congregations, one from each Jewish denomination. Schwarz, a Reconstructionist rabbi and founder of the Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, argues that the suburban, child-centered, service-oriented "synagogue-center" of today is in crisis, unable to provide the connectedness, belonging, intimacy and inclusiveness many baby boomers are seeking. Instead, he proposes, congregations should become participatory and welcoming "synagogue-communities," as exemplified by Beth El Congregation in Sudbury, Mass. (Reform); Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New York City (Orthodox); Adat Shalom in Washington, D.C., which he founded (Reconstructionist); and B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan (Conservative). Ten powerful "spiritual autobiographies" of individual members punctuate Schwarz's congregational profiles, highlighting his thesis that sharing personal journeys can be the most compelling aspect of community. While Schwarz admits that these synagogues are atypical, guided by empowering and charismatic rabbis who built their congregations from the ground up, he hardly touches on other transformation projects that have sprung up across the country. His 10 strategies for transformation should provide first steps for those willing to commit their energies to reinvigorating synagogue life. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The hunger for a spiritual life has led to a boom in all kinds of trendy movements that call for little commitment, a phenomenon as evident in Judaism as it is in the general population. This study portrays the spiritual odysseys of people who are seeking something deeper. Rabbi Schwarz, a spiritual activist, has identified one synagogue within each of the main streams of American Judaism--Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist--headed by a deeply committed rabbi who is as active communally as spiritually. The people profiled responded to the spirituality and the intellectual and communal activity and in turn contribute so that their communities are greatly enriched. For instance, the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (Orthodox) has a thriving youth program that pairs observant and nonobservant youths in prayer and study in a big brother/sister program. The observant youth mentors the novice, and both experience intellectual and spiritual growth. Many of these young people take on leadership roles in the community as they mature. Each story is interesting, well told, and meaningful and can chart a path for those seeking similar religious commitment. Recommended for larger public libraries or where there is a significant Jewish population.
-Idelle Rudman, Touro Coll., New York
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0787951749
• ISBN 13: 9780787951740
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256