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The Debate Over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue
Jack Wertheimer (ed.) The American Synagogue: A Sanctuary Transformed. New York: Cambridge 13 University Press, 1987 The Debate over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue JONATHAN D. SARNA "Pues have never yet found an historian," John M. Neale com plained, when he undertook to survey the subject of church seating for the Cambridge Camden Society in 1842. 1 To a large extent, the same situation prevails today in connection with "pues" in the American syn agogue. Although it is common knowledge that American synagogue seating patterns have changed greatly over time - sometimes following acrimonious, even violent disputes - the subject as a whole remains unstudied, seemingly too arcane for historians to bother with. 2 Seating patterns, however, actually reflect down-to-earth social realities, and are richly deserving of study. Behind wearisome debates over how sanctuary seats should be arranged and allocated lie fundamental disagreements over the kinds of social and religious values that the synagogue should project and the relationship between the synagogue and the larger society that surrounds it. As we shall see, where people sit reveals much about what they believe. The necessarily limited study of seating patterns that follows focuses only on the most important and controversial seating innovation in the American synagogue: mixed (family) seating. Other innovations - seats that no longer face east, 3 pulpits moved from center to front, 4 free (un assigned) seating, closed-off pew ends, and the like - require separate treatment. As we shall see, mixed seating is a ramified and multifaceted issue that clearly reflects the impact of American values on synagogue life, for it pits family unity, sexual equality, and modernity against the accepted Jewish legal (halachic) practice of sexual separatiop in prayer. -
Cleaning up That Doing Maintenance Is a Less Desirable Shift Than Some Others
08-02/14 p01-07 2/13/08 6:47 PM Page 1 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP Established 1973 Volume CC, Number 4 February 14, 2008 PHOTOGRAPH BY ANN ROSEN PHOTOGRAPH Legs for sale... Get to Know Your PHOTOGRAPHS BY HAZEL HANKIN PHOTOGRAPHS Chicken Maintenance Committee member on task. By Gayle Forman ecently, when I bought 14 siblings who help run the leaning Up a Murray’s chicken Martin Farm in Millmont, PA, C R from the Coop, I and the family does not eat noticed a little sticker anything raised with anti- Zen and the Art of Coop Maintenance attached to the packaging. biotics and grows its own It read Farm Verification, vegetables. I also learned By Johannah Rodgers and listed a four-digit code that no matter which farm my which, if I logged on to chicken comes from, it never murrayschicken.com, would travels more than 300 miles crubbing toilets, sweeping floors, taking out the garbage— give me information about to get to New York City. and loving every minute of it. Such is life on the Maintenance my chicken and the family Committee at the Coop. Some think they choose it because the that raised it. Sign of the Times S I didn’t learn too much Perhaps this is a sign of shifts can be shorter than others, but committee members say working about the chicken, but I did the times. As the organic maintenance allows them the freedom to work in the ways they like find out it came from one of movement is consumed by two farms in or around Lan- agribusiness, consumers are best—either independently or in close-knit groups—and the ability to caster County, Pennsylvania. -
General Meeting Report
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP Established 1973 Volume MM, Number 5 March 15, 2018 Florida Farmworkers March for Worker Rights in NYC By Hayley Gorenberg U.S. agricultural workers— armworkers who pick Flor- most of them from Mexico, Fida tomatoes, a key ingre- Haiti, and a smattering of dient in fast food menus, will Central American countries— converge on the New York City came together in 1993 when headquarters of the board six workers joined to fight for chair of Wendy’s restaurants worker rights and to confront for five days of protest. They farmworker maltreatment, PHOTO BY KEVIN RYAN have also planned a public including violence; abuse of Supporters of Reginald Ferguson testify in his support for due process. fast and a march for worker women by fellow farmworkers, rights scheduled to reach the crew leaders, and managers; United Nations’ Dag Ham- and sub-poverty wages and marskjold Plaza on March 15. wage theft. The coalition char- General Meeting Report The Coalition of Immoka- acterizes the most extreme By Taigi Smith age 80 people on staff at any given time,” said lee Workers, a human-rights cases as modern-day slavery. he PSFC February 2018 General Meeting General Coordinator Joe Szladek. “The turn- organization representing CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Twas held on Tuesday, February 27, at St. over rate for typical grocery stores and Coops Francis Xavier Catholic Academy. No items on average is much higher, hovering around were presented at the Open Forum, some- 60%, added Szladek. The pay here is really fair, times the liveliest part of the GM, and the great time off, excellent benefits,” who added meeting quickly moved to the presentation of that staff are voicing their job satisfaction by coordinator and committee reports. -
Supreme Court of the State of New York Draft County of New York
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK DRAFT COUNTY OF NEW YORK -------------------------------------------------------------------------X : CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM : : and : : UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN : : Petitioners, : Index No. ___________ : : VERIFIED PETITION : For an Order Approving Their Merger under Section 208 : of the Religious Corporations Law : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------X Petitioner Congregation Beth Elohim and Petitioner Union Temple of Brooklyn respectfully state that: 1. (a) Petitioner Congregation Beth Elohim is a religious corporation organized under the New York Religious Corporations Law (“RCL”) whose articles of incorporation were filed in the Office of the Clerk of Kings County on February 9, 1862. A copy of the articles of incorporation of Congregation Beth Elohim is attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 and a copy of the Bylaws of Congregation Beth Elohim, as modified to reflect the approved terms of the Merger (as defined below), is attached hereto as Exhibit A-2. (b) Petitioner Union Temple of Brooklyn is a religious corporation organized under the RCL whose articles of incorporation were filed in the Office of the Clerk of Kings County on September 1, 1921. A copy of the articles of incorporation of Union Temple of Brooklyn is attached hereto as Exhibit B-1 and a copy of the Bylaws of Union Temple of Brooklyn is attached hereto as Exhibit B-2. 12085747v.1 (c) This petition is made in support of an application for an Order, under Section 208 of the RCL, approving the -
GM Debates Coca-Cola Boycott & Pension Fund Strategy
1 November 10, 2016 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTERPark Slope FoodOF Coop,THE Brooklyn,PARK SLOPE NY FOOD COOP Established 1973 Volume KK, Number 23 November 10, 2016 GM Debates Coca-Cola Boycott Ragas, Jazz and Rock & Pension Fund Strategy from a Rolling Musicians’ Cooperative By Pat Smith about how this musicians’ ow can a group of like- collective got started, I met Hminded musicians use with Sameer Gupta, one of the cooperative business prac- BRM’s founding members, at tices to get paid a living the Brooklyn Public Library on wage? The Brooklyn Raga Grand Army Plaza. Massive (BRM), are deter- mined to do it. BRM is a Musicians on a Mission nonprofit collaborative with What are the cooperative a mission to expose new aspects of BRM? “We’re like audiences to Indian classical the Coop in different ways,” ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL J. COHEN music, to connect similarly Sameer said. “What inspires inspired musicians with each me about the Coop is that By Alison Rose Levy and organic brands, the boy- community as a result had no other and to present new individuals have a part in it at he October 25 GM fea- cott would restrict members’ water and was forced to pur- works by their growing com- a mission-level. It’s not just Ttured extended discus- choices. chase and drink Coca-Cola munity of musicians. They a grocery store, it’s a place sions regarding whether Nancy Romer urged con- products instead. perform weekly, free-floating where you can engage with to continue the boycott of tinuing the boycott “because Kristi asked, “What are concerts around the city that the subject of food and pol- Coca-Cola products and we have a principled position parameters for deciding what highlight different elements itics. -
Le Devoir, Cahier Spécial Sur L'innovation Sociale
SOCIÉTÉ INNOVATION SOCIALE CAHIER THÉMATIQUE J › LE DEVOIR, LES SAMEDI 19 ET DIMANCHE 20 MARS 2016 UdeM: de la Habitation pédagogie sociale communautaire: pour les habitants nouveau fonds de Parc-Extension d’aide à la rénovation Page J 3 Page J 6 VALERY RIZZO PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP En 2000, la Park Slope Food Coop a doublé l’espace de son magasin situé dans la rue Union, entre les 6e et 7e avenues à Brooklyn, passant de 500 à 1000 mètres carrés. PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP Donner du temps pour payer moins cher son épicerie ! Si votre supermarché vous offrait d’acheter rence à l’Université Concordia dans le cadre Le nombre de membres est en revanche si vos aliments moins cher en échange d’une de Transformer Montréal, un événement élevé que certains services ont pu être créés en poignée d’heures par mois de travail béné- consacré à l’entrepreneuriat social et solidaire, parallèle, comme une garderie où les membres J’ai été attiré au départ à pour expliquer la réussite de ce supermarché peuvent déposer gratuitement leurs enfants le vole, acquiesceriez-vous ? Dans le quartier de coopératif dont il est devenu membre en 1975, temps de faire leurs courses. Seuls les retraités, «la Park Slope Food Coop par Brooklyn, à New York, ils sont près de avant d’en prendre les rênes comme coordon- les gens avec des limitations physiques et les 15 000 à trouver qu’il s’agit d’une bonne nateur général en 1988. « J’ai été attiré au dé- personnes en congé parental sont exempts de l’opportunité d’appartenir part à la Park Slope Food Coop par l’opportu- cette corvée parmi les membres. -
Many Voices, One Message Campaign
We join together in saying we will not tolerate domestic abuse in the Jewish community. Rabbi Laura Abrasley Rabbi Noah Cheses Rabbi William Hamilton Cantor Bruce Malin Rabbi Gershon Segal Temple Shalom Young Israel of Sharon Congregation Kehillath Israel Emeritus, Cape Cod Synagogue Congregation Beth El Atereth Israel, Rabbi Alison Adler Rabbi David Cohen- Rabbi David Hellman Rabbi Howard Mandell Newton Temple B’nai Abraham Henriquez Young Israel of Brookline Congregation Beth Israel Rabbi Charni Flame Selch Temple Sinai, Marblehead Rabbi Katy Allen Rabbi Greg Hersh Rabbi Todd Markley Rabbi Rachel Silverman Ma’yan Tikvah Rabbi Braham David Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield Temple Beth Shalom, Needham Temple Israel of Sharon Temple Shalom Medford Rabbi Thomas Alpert Rabbi Neil Hirsch Cantor Michael McCloskey Rabbi Joel Sisenwine Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin Rabbi Joe Eiduson Hevreh of Southern Berkshire Temple Emeth Temple Beth Elohim Congregation B’nai Shalom, Rabbinic Pastor Matia Rabbi Sandi Intraub Rabbi Joseph Meszler Rabbi Matthew Soffer Westborough Angelou Beth El Temple Center, Belmont Temple Sinai of Sharon Temple Israel of Boston Jewish Chaplaincy Council of Rabbi Michael Fel Rabbi Suzie Jacobson Rabbi David J. Meyer Rabbi Robin Sparr Massachusetts Temple Emunah Temple Emanu-El, Marblehead Temple Israel of Boston Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett Rabbi Sharon Cohen Rabbi Arnie Fertig Rabbi Howard L. Jaffe Rabbi Suzanne Offit Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua Anisfeld Temple Beth Shalom, Melrose Hebrew SeniorLife Temple Isaiah Rabbi Toba Spitzer Hebrew College Rabbi Sally Finestone Rabbi Randy Kafka Rabbi Allison Peiser Congregation Dorshei Tzedek Rabbi Jordana Schuster Congregation Or Atid Temple Beth Shalom, Melrose Temple Kol Tikvah, Sharon Rabbi Keith Stern Battis Rabbi Levi Fogelman Temple Beth Shalom of Needham Rabbi Cherie Koller-Fox Rabbi Barbara Penzner Temple Beth Avodah Chabad Center of Natick Temple Hillel B’nai Torah Jewish Chaplaincy Council of Rabbi Liza Stern Rabbi Alfred H. -
Coop Members Celebrate Thanksgiving
07-11/08 p.1-9 11/7/07 11:14 PM Page 1 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP Established 1973 Volume BB, Number 23 November 8, 2007 To Save a Farm The Wedge: Our Spiritual Twin By Katie Benner t seems that the Park Slope Food Coop has a spiritual twin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. IThe Wedge is a 13,000-member store whose mission is to provide high quality food at fair prices while supporting local producers, and it is now the owner of a nearby 97-acre organic farm that has been a business partner for 34 years. The co-op purchased Gar- tin and Atina Diffley have dens of Eagan, located in been farming since 1973 and nearby Farmington, Minneso- they are incredibly knowl- ta, for $1.5 million and the edgeable about organic and transition of ownership will sustainable farming. We did- begin this upcoming January. n’t want to lose that.” More than a business trans- Since it produced its first action, the deal preserves a crops, Gardens of Eagan has valuable source of locally become one of the area’s grown foods that has also best-known names in organic become a powerful political produce, in large part ILLUSTRATION BY DIANE MILLER ILLUSTRATION Coop Members Celebrate Thanksgiving and educational force on because of its unique loca- By Diane Aronson behalf of small organic farms. tion only 30 miles outside of “Our mission is not to own Minneapolis. Moreover, the a farm, but to save a farm,” Diffleys are among the state’s t’s November, and the Park Slope Food Coop is filling up with the says Lindy Bannister, general most vocal proponents of the makings of enticing Thanksgiving-meals-to-be. -
The Story of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim of Charleston, SC
The Story of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim of Charleston, SC Congregation Founded 1749 Religious School Founded 1838 Present Sanctuary Built 1840 A National Historic Landmark of the United States The Oldest Synagogue in continuous use in the United States Founding Reform Jewish Congregation in the United States www.kkbe.org 2 Beginnings The story of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) is one of faith, devotion, and perseverance in the American tradition of freedom of worship. Charleston was established in 1670; the earliest known reference to a Jew in the English settlement was in 1695. Soon other, primarily Sephardic, Jews followed, attracted by the civil and religious liberty of South Carolina. By 1749, these pioneers were sufficiently numerous to organize our congregation, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (Holy Congregation House of God). Fifteen years later, they also 1794 Synagogue before fire in 1838 established the now historic Coming Street Cemetery, the South’s oldest remaining colonial Jewish burial site. At first congregants worshipped in private homes; in 1780 they used an improvised synagogue adjacent to the present Temple grounds. In 1794 they dedicated a new synagogue building described then as the largest in the United States, “spacious and elegant” which signified the high degree of social acceptance Charleston Jews enjoyed. This handsome, cupolated Georgian synagogue was destroyed in the great Charleston fire of 1838 and replaced in 1840 on the same Hasell Street site by the present imposing structure. The Interior before 1838 fire by colonnaded Temple, dedicated in early 1841, is Solomon Nunez Carvalho renowned as one of the country’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. -
Dear CBE/Union Temple Community, We Are
Dear CBE/Union Temple Community, We are thrilled to write with the exciting news that, in a near unanimous vote, the memberships of both Congregation Beth Elohim and Union Temple decided to combine our congregations. We now petition the New York Supreme Court requesting approval of the merger. This represents an incredibly exciting future for our congregations. Together, we will create a thriving center for progressive Jewish life in Brooklyn for decades to come. Our three-building campus, stretching from Park Slope to Prospect Heights and beyond, will grow our ability to serve Jews of all ages through lifelong learning, spiritual life, arts and culture, and engagement with the world around us, as well as to build upon the programs and services we currently provide. Most importantly, we will build a community where we support each other, and where we, as Jews, can ask the hardest questions about how we make meaning in our lives and what our purpose is while we are here. We will create a place for human connection, meaning, and joy, a life-affirming place where Jews and our partners of all faiths come together to dream of a world redeemed. We’ve reached this moment through the hard work of our CBE-Union Temple Merger Exploration Committee, including Jonathan Gertman, Emily Kurtz, Tomer Inbar, Rob Raich and Alan Herman. Thank you for being part of this historic moment for our congregations. L’Shalom, John Horowitz, President of CBE Rabbi Rachel Timoner Jeff Stein, President of Union Temple Rabbi Stephanie Kolin. -
June 20, 2018 the Honorable Jeff Sessions Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Washington, DC 20530 the Honorable Kirstje
June 20, 2018 The Honorable Jeff Sessions Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Washington, DC 20530 The Honorable Kirstjen Nielsen Secretary of Homeland Security Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528 Dear Attorney General Sessions and Secretary Nielsen, On behalf of the 55 undersigned national and 291 state and local Jewish organizations and institutions, we write to express our strong opposition to the recently expanded “zero-tolerance” policy that includes separating children from their migrant parents when they cross the border. This policy undermines the values of our nation and jeopardizes the safety and well-being of thousands of people. As Jews, we understand the plight of being an immigrant fleeing violence and oppression. We believe that the United States is a nation of immigrants and how we treat the stranger reflects on the moral values and ideals of this nation. Many of these migrant families are seeking asylum in the United States to escape violence in Central America. Taking children away from their families is unconscionable. Such practices inflict unnecessary trauma on parents and children, many of whom have already suffered traumatic experiences. This added trauma negatively impacts physical and mental health, including increasing the risk of early death.1 Separating families is a cruel punishment for children and families simply seeking a better life and exacerbates existing challenges in our immigration system. It adds to the backlog of deportation cases and legal challenges in federal courts, places thousands more immigrants in detention facilities and shelters, endangers the lives of more children, and instills additional fear in people seeking safety in our country. -
Special Meeting FAQ
Special Meeting FAQ The Special Meeting has been called for the purpose of approving (i) a refinancing of CBE’s current mortgage, and (ii) the potential merger of Congregation Beth Elohim and Union Temple. We prepared this FAQ to address questions that have surfaced throughout the recent period of community engagement. We look forward to seeing you at the Special Meeting. REFINANCING OF CBE MORTGAGE 1. Why are we refinancing our mortgage? What are the terms? Our mortgage on the Temple House is coming due and we are required to refinance it. The refinancing is going to allow us to accomplish two things. First, we are going to lower our interest rate from 4.87% to 3.5% for a fixed 7-year term. Second, the Board has approved an increase in the size of the mortgage from $1 million to $2 million. We have elected to take additional funds in order to assist in covering our current capital needs. 2. Is this connected at all to the merger with Union Temple? No. Both the need to refinance and the increase in the size of the mortgage were not at all related to the proposed merger. None of the funds raised as part of this refinancing will be used for any capital expenses at 17 Eastern Parkway. In fact, the refinancing could have been approved earlier, but in order to avoid having two Special Meetings we elected to present them together. PROPOSED MERGER WITH UNION TEMPLE Timing of the Merger 1. How did this come about? Why now? The COVID pandemic has been hard on all of us.