Temple Beth Israel
I. Center Information Center Name Temple Beth Israel Center Tradition: Reconstructionist Judaism Center Address: 1175 E. 29th Ave. Eugene, Or. 97403 Phone Number : (541) 485-7218 Fax Number: (541) 485-7105 Email Address: [email protected] Website: www.tbieugene.org Religious Leader and Title: Rabbi Boris Dolin Lay Leader and Title There are multiple lay leaders II. Community: At a Glance Date Center Founded: 1934 Membership/Community Size: (+/-) 300 households Ethnic Composition: mixed: intermarriage, mixed ethically & also mixed gender as well Affiliations with Other Organizations: Affiliated nationally with Reconstructionist movement, also affiliated with Community of Welcoming Congregations and Jewish Federation of Lane County III. Community Life History of the Community (include the background of the history of this group in this city, where they worshipped before, who founded the center, any challenges faced, etc.) Temple Beth Israel was founded by 3-4 families— part of the Rubenstein family. In 1953 a small plot of land was purchased on Portland Street. During the building process, only a small group, they met in the living room of a rented house. Since 1953 the structure itself has expanded twice until a decision was made to buy a new building on 29th and University Street. Over the years the main challenges the community faced were primarily interpersonal and ideological. Demographics (who worships at the center, ethnicities, languages spoken, age groups, etc.) Diverse populations worship at Temple Beth Israel. People from the LGBT community, interfaith families, ethnic Jews, and other various ethnicities and a wide-ranging age of people worship at the center. It provides social, educational and spiritual support for people quite literally from cradle to grave. Languages of origin include French, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, German, & Russian Description of the Center (physical description of the facilities and their use, when the center was built, the use of the building prior to the group’s use, etc.) The temple is a rather large cement building with huge wood pillars in the front (which faces east). The inside consists of an elongated and rather large hallway (almost like a grand reception area), a dining/ multipurpose recreation room, a kitchen, sanctuary, multiple class rooms, and a courtyard. Also attached is a school and outside play area. The building is well-lit with vaulted ceilings throughout, and decorated beautifully with biblically inspired art. Paintings of prophets like Moses and Jeremiah litter the walls of the recreation room, while beautiful specially- designed glass tiles can be found plated along the walls in grouped-collages in the hall and around the mirrors in the large restrooms. The building is chic & modern. The sanctuary (which, sadly, I couldn’t actually take any pictures of) has an enormous vaulted ceiling with glass skylights and between them a very dark, large emblem (that resembles a mega-giant geometric asterisk). I don’t know the significance of this, but the view “up” is absolutely stunning. Pews and chairs sit in partitioned rows and columns before a podium which itself sits in front of a table adorned with a rather simple white cloth— home to two candles (which, in ritual, were lit during the service); behind this table lies a small cove veiled with embroidered curtains inside which I presume to be the “ark of the Covenant,” although its formal name wasn’t actually mentioned, or if it was I probably missed it in the Hebrew. Beyond this, the outside of the cove is bordered with a mysterious shiny metallic trim (probably not so mysterious, but I’m not a metallurgy specialist). This cove is situated in the very center of the sanctuary and attracts the eye of attendees (that is of course, if one isn’t looking up!). Center Activities (worship schedule, special events, programs for children, classes, group meetings, newsletters, other publications) Sabbath service or Shabbat as it is called in Hebrew: Every week (Friday evening & Saturday morning) Special holidays: High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Classes for all ages and orientations are provided: there are also preschool classes, and supplemental elementary school classes (through 10th grade). Several group and community-centered activities are offered: they range from sport teams and crochet & knitting groups, to volunteer and social activism work, young adult connection groups, and children’s choirs. Other (any other qualities or features that make this center particularly interesting) The congregation is incredibly inclusive and welcoming. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. They welcome people across all ethnicities, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, & faiths— from all walks of life, promoting egalitarian values. The prayers, and blessings (said in Hebrew throughout the service) are absolutely beautiful. Members are very attentive, and participation is welcomed. The Hebrew in the prayer book is transliterated and English interpretative readings are provided so everyone can follow along. The service in one word was exquisite. Quite ordinary yet exceptional at the same time; comfortable and comforting yet engaging all the senses and allowing one to truly take in the experience and appreciate the wealth of love and adoration given in worship. It was quite a remarkable experience. What are some of the core tenets of Reconstructionist Judaism? In the Torah there are 613 commandments: The story of Judaism contains a paradox. Like a pearl, that must undergo immense transformation to be made into a precious and beautiful stone, Judaism’s greatest redemption is found only within its greatest tragedies. After the temples were destroyed, a whole other way of communicating with God had to be established. Prayers of the heart, not sacrifices, became the defining feature of this communication. The alter became the dining room. Legends, myths and stories that have been passed down through the generations are passed around the table to celebrate and symbolize the resilience of the human spirit throughout Judaic history and give meaning and comfort to suffering and misfortune within the contemporary world. What are some of the core values and beliefs of Reconstructionist Judaism?
Membership:
Conversion:
§ Meet with Rabbi § Undergo a course of study and interview § Write a spiritual biography § Meet with a panel of 3 members (this is one Rabbi and two lay leaders) § Immersion in ritual bath § Recitation of One prayer (unity of God and unity of all things) § Some people who wish to convert undergo circumcision—this is done for personal and religious reasons. Jewish Holidays: Rosh Hashanah- Head of the year. Celebrates the turn of the seasons. It initiates a ten day period of self-reflection and penitence. Culminates with Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Three days later is Sukkot. Sukkot: this is a big harvest festival; this is an 8 day feast (feast of Booths); metaphor is with the interpersonal. Feast of lights- Winter Solstice stories, songs, and feast to warm the spirits during dark (literally “dark and cold”) times Tu Bishvat: January: (“Spring month”) New Year of the trees: almond trees blossom. Celebrate the last full moon of winter. Purim: Festival of lots. In the book of Esther. (This is a tale that foreshadows genocide). Purim is a celebration time to let off steam. Passover: 1st full moon of spring. Celebrates the first harvest of grain. There is intense spring cleaning. All leavened bread/ flour is gotten rid of. Everything is made fresh and new. This holiday celebrates redemption from slavery (Exodus of Genesis) Shavuot: fifty days after Passover. This is the feast of weeks. Celebrates the receiving of the 10 commandments- (mythological). Shabbat (weekly): Celebrates the creation of the world. Work is not done, this is a day of rest, people are to give thanks and enjoy life. Apparently it is dubiety good to have sexual relations on this day. The Ninth of AV: 9th day of the month of Av. This is a day of mourning. This is symbolic of Babylonian captivity. The first day specifically recalls the destruction of the two temples (586 BCE and 70 CE); also the 1492 Expulsion of Jews from Spain. End of Sukkot: Medieval holiday. Celebrates a "rejoicing in the law." This is where the last verses on the scroll of the Torah are read, and then it is begun again to the 1st verse which is also read in the same service. Life cycle rituals:
. Dress code: none, really. Beaded prayer shawls are sometimes worn. Researcher Notes (referrals to other centers or organizations)
Researcher: Shanna S. 7/11/14 |
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