The Messenger - Temple Israel

September/October 2009
In the early years of the 21st century, it has become
clear to Hazzanim (cantors) and others
involved in synagogue life that a new approach
is needed if we are to keep services vibrant and
meaningful for most Jews. In Conservative and
Reform synagogues as well, the number of worshippers
proficient in davening has diminished.
The act of davening enables one to be actively
involved in the service. Increased congregational
singing has helped to fill this void.
In our day, a growing number of younger generation
families would rather spend their recreational
time playing interactive sports or video
games at the end of the work week than dedicating
themselves to synagogue communal
worship, and being actively engaged in the
Temple’s life.
In truth, a synagogue service must have a proper
balance. To be sure, there must be an opportunity
for participation. But, there also has to be
points in the service when worshippers listen to
the Hazzan, Rabbi and choir. Listening, too, is
a form of prayer. It allows for inspiration to occur.
Learning comes from reading, studying and
listening to others.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the days
on which synagogues are filled to capacity. As
Hazzanim our challenge is to touch worshippers.
That task is made even more difficult because
most who are in the synagogue on these
days do not attend services regularly. What is
our calling and responsibility as cantors I have
always maintained that, in leading a service of
liturgical prayer, we must create an aura of spirituality
and closeness to God through cantorial
chant. We must also engage our congregation
to participate in prayer which ultimately brings
feelings of unity, warmth and connection, bringing
the worshippers back to their roots. Prayer
and song is what draws one to spiritual heights.
What could be more beautiful than seeing and
hearing a synagogue filled with fellow Jews,
families, friends and neighbors, joined together
in harmony
Continued on page 3
China – A Lesson in Community
China was a wonderful trip! Tienaman Square, walking the Great Wall, Yu Gardens,
the Temple of Heaven, the zoo at Chong Qing, the Terra Cotta warriors, cruising
up the Yangtze river… each site special, unique and precious. One element was
common throughout our trip – a sea of humanity: rows and rows of 60 to 70-story
high rises for Chinese people to live in, lots of cars, and millions of bicycles,
electric bikes and scooters.
One of the things special to me was observing how millions of people can live
together – 18 million in Shanghai, 17 million in Beijing – over 5 million in tiny
Chong Qing! Living space for most families consists of a living room, bathroom
and one or two bedrooms, all small by our standards. Their solution Community!
People meet, play sports, discuss politics, play music, dance, exercise and relax
in parks, at the zoo, in the green areas beside national sites – anywhere and
everywhere. In Chong Qing, for the cost of one day’s admittance local residents
get monthly passes to the zoo. In Xi’an there is exercise equipment to use in the
parks by the city wall. Instead of packing the car, deciding what to take, what to
eat and what to do in order to go to Nay Aug Park in Scranton or South Abington
Park in Clarks Summit, residents walk to their local park, the same way we might
walk across the street.
While I would not want to live in such crowded conditions, I appreciate the value
of community - the quintessence of Jewish values. Our J.C.C., as it celebrates its
100 th anniversary, is centered around community, however community is not
limited to the J.C.C. Community is Temple Israel’s daily minyan; community is
our Reba and Art Douglass Religious School and community is family education;
community is Friday night dinners; community is Shabbat and holiday services.
Community is coming together to comfort and to celebrate.
As we enter the year 5770, let us remember the words of Moshe as he said to
Pharaoh, “lkb ubhbezcu ubhrgbc - We will all go, young and old.” We will all go into
the next decade; I am here to help you as we journey together.
As always, as we prepare for the year 5770, Linda and I wish to thank all of you
for making each year special. I intentionally do not name names in order to avoid
leaving anyone out. In the same vein, we apologize to each and every one of you
in the words of our tradition: “If we have hurt anyone willingly or unknowingly,
or through our actions or inaction caused someone to be hurt this past year, we
apologize and ask for forgiveness. We ask that you accept this statement as
being given of our own free will and as being genuine, coming from ourselves,
and not from any situation forcing us to publicly state this. Linda also joins me in
wishing each and every one of you, “L’shana Tovah u’m’tukah u’briah” — a
good, sweet and healthy year in the book of life.
“Rabbi Joe” Mendelsohn
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