2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Network/Steinhardt Foundation and the Samuel Bronfman Foundation. Synaplex is about finding new ways to
connect and come together to celebrate Shabbat in the Synagogue!
In 2006, a cross-section of traditional daveners, educationally oriented, and spiritually minded persons plus
chairs or representatives of key committees (Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Preschool, Adult Education, Family
Education, Religious School, Youth) were invited to join the Steering Committee to initiate a Synaplex style
Shabbat at Temple Emunah. The charge to this committee was to come up with ideas for topics, sessions, leaders,
and projects that various parts of the congregation would find engaging. The goal was to promote a more vibrant
Shabbat community and bring people in the door. Two Shabbat events took place that received rave reviews and
evaluations. Where a normal Shabbat morning attendance would be 100-150, these events opened the doors for
425-450 people. Through Synaplex we have begun to extend the types of offerings that appeal to those who are
interested not only in tefilah, but are looking for alternative ways to connect with the greater community within the
context of Shabbat.
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TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM
Over 900
Roslyn Heights, NY
Submitted by Joel Seltzer 516-621-2288
And Gila Hadani Ward
Temple Beth Sholom’s, High Holy Day Ohel is an innovative program offering an alternative synagogue experience for
the congregant during the High Holy Days. The Ohel is a Beit Midrash, a house of study where the rabbis and teachers
of the community can come from the bima and engage the congregants in study. In addition to offering up to four
classes per holiday, we also encourage our participants to explore our reading section for a chance to connect with the
deep meaning of the High Holy Day experience.
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BETH SHOLOM
250-500 Teaneck, NJ
Submitted by Arlene Solokow 210-833-2620
Our Artists’ Beit Midrash Program is a series of classes, encompassing text study with exciting and renowned scholars
and co-taught with artists. The classes are geared to Visual Artists working in any Visual Media. We attracted artists
both in our synagogue, as well as within the broader Jewish Community. The program, which was sponsored and
supported by our Adult Education Committee, brings high visibility to our shul. It also places our shul in the forefront
of teaching Torah and our ancient text in an innovated and unique way. It has created a community of artists who both
study text together and respond visually to the text!
The class format was interactive text study with our Scholar/Teacher together with critique of artwork, by our
Artist/Teacher. All artwork was done by participants outside of class. Teachers, as well as students, participated in the
class critiques. The class was also exposed to artwork of contemporary artists’ current exhibitions in museums and
galleries, art history as well as discussion of different techniques used by artists.
The culmination of each year’s course was a Lunch and Learn Program and Art Show, on the Second day of
Shavuot. The luncheons and art shows were open to all members of the shul, as well as to the Community. A brochure
was produced for each art show, which illustrated some of the works produced by the artists. During the formal part of
the Luncheon program the artists talked about their works, what motivated them to produce the kind of work they did,
their thought processes and their reactions to the text. In other words, the artists themselves became the teachers, by
using their art work to interpret and reinterpret the text.
During the six semesters of our program, we had 10-12 participants each semester and currently maintain a
waiting list. Our first Shavuot Lunch and Learn was attended by 80 people. There were 120 attendees at our second
Lunch and Learn Program. We are currently in the planning stages for our third Shavuot Lunch and Learn program. All
who participated in the classes and the Shavuot Lunch and Learn programs literally had their eyes opened to a new and
expansive way of viewing both text and art.