Finding a Spiritual Home: How a New Generation of Jews Can Transform the American Synagogue
The Jewish community has lost some of the most sensitive spiritual souls of this generation. They are Jews who were looking for God and found spiritual homes outside of Judaism. Their journeys traversed the Jewish community, but nothing there beckoned them. The creation of synagogue-communities in which the voices of seekers can be heard and their questions can be asked will challenge many loyalist Jews. It will upset and enrage them. But it would also enrich them.
—from Chapter 18
In this fresh look at the spiritual possibilities of American Jewish life, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz presents the framework for a new synagogue model—the synagogue community—and its promise to transform our understanding of the synagogue and its potential for modern Judaism.
Schwarz profiles four innovative synagogues—one from each of the major movements of Judaism—that have had extraordinary success with their approach to congregational life and presents practical ways to replicate their success.
Includes a discussion guide for study groups and book clubs as well as a new afterword by the author describing developments in synagogue change projects since the book was first published.
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Book details
- Author
- Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, PhD
- Imprint
- Jewish Lights, an imprint of Turner Publishing Company
- Published
- Pages
- 352
- Formats
- Paperback, Hardcover
- Subjects
- Religion › Judaism
- Topics
- Jewish spirituality · synagogue communities · American Judaism · Jewish identity · religious renewal · spiritual seeking · Jewish community life
- ISBN-13
- 9781580231855 (Paperback)9781683360568 (Hardcover)
About the author
RABBI SIDNEY SCHWARZ is the founding rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, and the author of Jewish Megatrends: Charting the Course of the American Jewish Future, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World and Finding a Spiritual Home: How a New Generation of Jews Can Transform the American Synagogue.
Schwarz founded and led PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values for twenty-one years. He currently serves as a senior fellow at Clal—The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, where he works on a program training rabbis to be visionary spiritual leaders.
When not writing, Schwarz continues to teach and lead services at Adat Shalom. His work as a social entrepreneur and political activist informs his exploration of Jewish identity, justice and the future of American Jewish life.