Masorti in Jerusalem Can the Movement Maintain a Stronghold in the Holy City?

JANUARY 10, 2019

Masorti in Jerusalem Can the movement maintain a stronghold in the Holy City?

Bs”d s ervice sealing Bereshit

• Roof sealing and coatings Buying and selling • Sealing exterior walls בראשִ ית home upholstering איטום ושיקום renovation and styling • Waterproofng of basements Call now מורשה מכון התקנים Abseiling services • Tel. 052-3936376 ∙ 14 Yad Harutzim, SEE ON PAGE 16 at the Dafna and & Vera passageway 052-434-5299 COVER

DR. YIZHAR HESS, CEO of the Masorti Movement in Israel, at a Masorti protest. The front sign reads, ‘Judaism without coercion,’ while the back Jerusalem's Masorti Movement: quotes the Torah principle to ‘Love your fellow as yourself.’ Fading future?

• ALAN ROSENBAUM

he Masorti Movement in Israel,” says Rabbi Peretz Rodman, Jerusalem-based author and ‘Thead of the Masorti rabbinic court of Israel, “was established by the wave of North American immigrants – many of whom were rabbis and Jewish educators – who came in the wake of the Six Day War. They came in 1969, 1970 and 1971, and wanted to cre- ate their own institutions.” More than 50 years later, as the generation of Con- servative Jews that arrived full of post-1967 Zionist ardor passes from the scene, some of Jerusalem’s Masorti synagogues are shrinking. Is a new generation of Masorti Jews ready to take their place, or is Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem destined to fall to the growing haredi influence in the city? Dr. Yizhar Hess, CEO of the Masorti Movement in Israel, is convinced that Masorti Judaism has a future in Israel’s capital, despite its image as a growing bas- tion of ultra-Orthodoxy. “I am very optimistic about the future of the Maso- rti Movement in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is fascinating. It has an image of religious coercion, but I am not certain this is so. In some respects, it is the most pluralistic city. It is no coincidence that we are thriving Ramot, located in the Ramot Bet neighborhood of est in selling. Recently, says Bender, when the lease on ‘We are trying to work on a in Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, has been the rabbi of the synagogue since the property ended, the synagogue completed all of There are 10 Masorti congregations today in the 2013, and has been a member of the synagogue since the necessary city forms to demonstrate they are an vision that every Jew should be capital, more than any other city in Israel. moving to Ramot in 1985. Bender, who made aliyah ongoing organization that uses the building. The Masorti Movement in Jerusalem has changed with his family in 1984, studied at the Masorti Move- “The local Ramot administration became very able to fnd a place to connect since the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the movement’s Schechter Rabbinical Seminary and was involved in protecting our rights to the building. It is to Jewish tradition’ ment’s leaders were American immigrants. ordained in 2013. important for the community that our building “Today, it is a different story,” says Hess. “We have a “When the Ramot Bet and Gimel neighborhoods exists, for obvious reasons. We are the only non-Or- very good mixture of Israelis and Americans, but the were built in the early 1980s,” recounts Bender, “the thodox synagogue in the area.” – Rabbi Chaya Rowen Baker majority were not born in English-speaking coun- congregation was also growing.” Children in the area When asked about the synagogue’s long-term pros- tries, and we are proud of it. The leadership in the – including those who were connected to the Masorti pects, Bender says, “Stayin’ alive,” referring both to movement is 70% Israeli.” movement as well as secular families who were not the title of a famous 70s rock hit as well as the shrink- ers had grown up in and been raised within the Con- synagogue members – celebrated their bar and bat ing congregation’s efforts to remain viable. More servative Movement in the US, and wanted to do the DESPITE HESS’S optimism, attendance figures in mitzvahs in the synagogue, with membership exceed- seriously, he adds, “While we offer diversified pro- same in Israel, the young families that have joined of some conservative congregations in the city are ing 110 families. gramming and our members remain committed and late are mostly secular or share a mixed background, down. Rabbi Arnie Bender, head of Kehillat Yaar As the neighborhood and the demographics involved, there are no signs of potential growth.” where one partner is secular while the other may have changed, children grew up and left the area. Today, been raised in a more traditional setting. he says, Kehillat Yaar Ramot has a total membership KEHILLAT RAMOT ZION, located six kilometers east of “We have a wide variety of people who aren’t exactly of between 40 and 45 families, with the average age of Ramot in French Hill, was founded in 1973 by a group committed to ritual practice,” says Baker. “They have a members being in the early to mid-60s. Bender traces of Conservative American Jewish immigrants, who sense of community and a possibility to connect with the decline to several factors, among them being wanted to replicate the synagogue experience they had Jewish tradition and heritage on a level with what downsizing on the part of the aging populace who no in the US. Over the years, the synagogue attracted a they feel comfortable, and don’t want to feel judged or longer need large homes, and as they have aged, their group of native Israelis, many of whom were affiliated inadequate. That is the kind of atmosphere that we are difficulties in climbing the neighborhood’s steep with the nearby Hebrew University campus on Mount trying to build, that you can find a Jewish home in streets and steps. Scopus. For most of its history, Kehillat Ramot Zion was Ramot Zion. We want them to feel comfortable engag- “It’s not just the haredi issue,” he says. Attendance at led by its laity and did not have an official rabbi, but 12 ing with that, wherever they come from.” Friday night and Shabbat morning services has gone years ago, Rabbi Chaya Rowen Baker, a dynamic and She says that while some members who are not down, and numbers about 25 people. Despite the drop vibrant leader who grew up in the Masorti Movement, committed to ritual observance may not initially in attendance at services, Bender says that participa- was appointed the synagogue’s rabbi. attend daily services, ultimately by becoming tion in activities, such as Friday-night dinners and the “The membership was aging, and wasn’t renewing involved in the synagogue, many eventually become synagogue’s lecture series, has remained constant. itself,” says Baker. “It had previously been one of the fully engaged in all of its aspects. Kehillah Yaar Ramot is housed in an attractive two- largest Masorti movement synagogues in Israel. That “We see that people who started out being involved floor building that includes a main sanctuary with growth had halted, and when I was hired, I was asked only with community activities or educational activi- seating for 100, ample space on the first floor to to reach out to younger families, primarily native ties with their kids, over the years became engaged accommodate between 50 and 60 people for a kid- Israelis who happened to be in this area.” even with those rituals that only belong to shul-go- RABBI CHAYA ROWEN BAKER, head of Kehillat Ramot dush or dinner, and an outdoor patio. The building She says that in the past 12 years, they have succeed- ers. Some have learned to read the Torah, and many of Zion in French Hill. (Photos: Marc Israel Sellem) was built by the synagogue members on land leased ed in recreating a sense of growth in the synagogue, them will show up for the morning minyan if some- to the synagogue by the city of Jerusalem. with dozens of new young families joining, and the one needs to say Kaddish. They understand the “Every now and then,” says Bender, “about once a sounds of young children and teens are once again importance and community value of it even though CELEBRATING A bar mitzvah at East year, I get a phone call asking if we are interested in heard in the synagogue’s halls. they may not turn it into their own daily practice.” Talpiot’s Kehillat Moreshet Avraham. selling the building.” “There is a sense of rejuvenation.” Baker reports that the congregation has 150 families (Yehoshua Halevi) Bender says firmly that the synagogue has no inter- She notes that while the synagogue’s original found- and though it’s been a struggle to remain with this

4 IN JERUSALEM | JANUARY 10, 2019 www.jpost.com | IN JERUSALEM 5 COVER

• ALAN ROSENBAUM he Masorti Movement in Israel,” says Rabbi Peretz Rodman, Jerusalem-based author and ‘Thead of the Masorti rabbinic court of Israel, “was established by the wave of North American immigrants – many of whom were rabbis and Jewish educators – who came in the wake of the Six Day War. They came in 1969, 1970 and 1971, and wanted to cre- ate their own institutions.” More than 50 years later, as the generation of Con- servative Jews that arrived full of post-1967 Zionist ardor passes from the scene, some of Jerusalem’s Masorti synagogues are shrinking. Is a new generation of Masorti Jews ready to take their place, or is Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem destined to fall to the growing haredi influence in the city? Dr. Yizhar Hess, CEO of the Masorti Movement in Israel, is convinced that Masorti Judaism has a future in Israel’s capital, despite its image as a growing bas- tion of ultra-Orthodoxy. “I am very optimistic about the future of the Maso- rti Movement in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is fascinating. It has an image of religious coercion, but I am not certain this is so. In some respects, it is the most pluralistic city. It is no coincidence that we are thriving Ramot, located in the Ramot Bet neighborhood of est in selling. Recently, says Bender, when the lease on ‘We are trying to work on a in Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, has been the rabbi of the synagogue since the property ended, the synagogue completed all of There are 10 Masorti congregations today in the 2013, and has been a member of the synagogue since the necessary city forms to demonstrate they are an vision that every Jew should be capital, more than any other city in Israel. moving to Ramot in 1985. Bender, who made aliyah ongoing organization that uses the building. The Masorti Movement in Jerusalem has changed with his family in 1984, studied at the Masorti Move- “The local Ramot administration became very able to fnd a place to connect since the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the movement’s Schechter Rabbinical Seminary and was involved in protecting our rights to the building. It is to Jewish tradition’ ment’s leaders were American immigrants. ordained in 2013. important for the community that our building “Today, it is a different story,” says Hess. “We have a “When the Ramot Bet and Gimel neighborhoods exists, for obvious reasons. We are the only non-Or- very good mixture of Israelis and Americans, but the were built in the early 1980s,” recounts Bender, “the thodox synagogue in the area.” – Rabbi Chaya Rowen Baker majority were not born in English-speaking coun- congregation was also growing.” Children in the area When asked about the synagogue’s long-term pros- tries, and we are proud of it. The leadership in the – including those who were connected to the Masorti pects, Bender says, “Stayin’ alive,” referring both to movement is 70% Israeli.” movement as well as secular families who were not the title of a famous 70s rock hit as well as the shrink- ers had grown up in and been raised within the Con- synagogue members – celebrated their bar and bat ing congregation’s efforts to remain viable. More servative Movement in the US, and wanted to do the DESPITE HESS’S optimism, attendance figures in mitzvahs in the synagogue, with membership exceed- seriously, he adds, “While we offer diversified pro- same in Israel, the young families that have joined of some conservative congregations in the city are ing 110 families. gramming and our members remain committed and late are mostly secular or share a mixed background, down. Rabbi Arnie Bender, head of Kehillat Yaar As the neighborhood and the demographics involved, there are no signs of potential growth.” where one partner is secular while the other may have changed, children grew up and left the area. Today, been raised in a more traditional setting. he says, Kehillat Yaar Ramot has a total membership KEHILLAT RAMOT ZION, located six kilometers east of “We have a wide variety of people who aren’t exactly of between 40 and 45 families, with the average age of Ramot in French Hill, was founded in 1973 by a group committed to ritual practice,” says Baker. “They have a members being in the early to mid-60s. Bender traces of Conservative American Jewish immigrants, who sense of community and a possibility to connect with the decline to several factors, among them being wanted to replicate the synagogue experience they had Jewish tradition and heritage on a level with what downsizing on the part of the aging populace who no in the US. Over the years, the synagogue attracted a they feel comfortable, and don’t want to feel judged or longer need large homes, and as they have aged, their group of native Israelis, many of whom were affiliated inadequate. That is the kind of atmosphere that we are difficulties in climbing the neighborhood’s steep with the nearby Hebrew University campus on Mount trying to build, that you can find a Jewish home in streets and steps. Scopus. For most of its history, Kehillat Ramot Zion was Ramot Zion. We want them to feel comfortable engag- “It’s not just the haredi issue,” he says. Attendance at led by its laity and did not have an official rabbi, but 12 ing with that, wherever they come from.” Friday night and Shabbat morning services has gone years ago, Rabbi Chaya Rowen Baker, a dynamic and She says that while some members who are not down, and numbers about 25 people. Despite the drop vibrant leader who grew up in the Masorti Movement, committed to ritual observance may not initially in attendance at services, Bender says that participa- was appointed the synagogue’s rabbi. attend daily services, ultimately by becoming tion in activities, such as Friday-night dinners and the “The membership was aging, and wasn’t renewing involved in the synagogue, many eventually become synagogue’s lecture series, has remained constant. itself,” says Baker. “It had previously been one of the fully engaged in all of its aspects. Kehillah Yaar Ramot is housed in an attractive two- largest Masorti movement synagogues in Israel. That “We see that people who started out being involved floor building that includes a main sanctuary with growth had halted, and when I was hired, I was asked only with community activities or educational activi- seating for 100, ample space on the first floor to to reach out to younger families, primarily native ties with their kids, over the years became engaged accommodate between 50 and 60 people for a kid- Israelis who happened to be in this area.” even with those rituals that only belong to shul-go- RABBI CHAYA ROWEN BAKER, head of Kehillat Ramot dush or dinner, and an outdoor patio. The building She says that in the past 12 years, they have succeed- ers. Some have learned to read the Torah, and many of Zion in French Hill. (Photos: Marc Israel Sellem) was built by the synagogue members on land leased ed in recreating a sense of growth in the synagogue, them will show up for the morning minyan if some- to the synagogue by the city of Jerusalem. with dozens of new young families joining, and the one needs to say Kaddish. They understand the “Every now and then,” says Bender, “about once a sounds of young children and teens are once again importance and community value of it even though CELEBRATING A bar mitzvah at East year, I get a phone call asking if we are interested in heard in the synagogue’s halls. they may not turn it into their own daily practice.” Talpiot’s Kehillat Moreshet Avraham. selling the building.” “There is a sense of rejuvenation.” Baker reports that the congregation has 150 families (Yehoshua Halevi) Bender says firmly that the synagogue has no inter- She notes that while the synagogue’s original found- and though it’s been a struggle to remain with this

4 IN JERUSALEM | JANUARY 10, 2019 www.jpost.com | IN JERUSALEM 5 COVER

number, “we see it as a fairly gratifying situation to manage to stay stable.” Like Kehillat Yaar Ramot, Ramot Zion has its own building. “We are very fortunate to have a building and enough room,” notes Baker. “We have a large sanctuary, a large hall where we can daven when the sanctuary is too small during the High Holy Days and Purim, two smaller study halls and a shelter that serves as a kindergarten.” While she has heard rumors that a member of French Hill’s haredi community told one of her synagogue members that “One day this building will be ours,” they have no plans to leave or sell their building. As to the future of her synagogue, Baker says that a great deal depends on the future of French Hill and Jerusalem at large. “We are trying to work on a vision that every Jew should be able to find a place to connect to Jewish tradition and feel at home with it. We are trying to do our part to offer that within the Masorti framework and to cooperate with other organizations that offer it in different ways, and try to hope that it is attractive enough to enough people to continue to do that. Whether or not we succeed depends on how well we do that, and who will end up in this area.”

IN PICTURESQUE East Talpiot, also known as Armon Hanatziv, another once-successful Masorti congregation is struggling. According to synagogue president Alexis Silverman, Kehillat Moreshet Avraham, founded 45 years ago by American immigrants, once was considered the flagship of the Masorti Movement. On a regular Shabbat, says Silverman, they would have 125 people in attendance, and at its peak, the congre- RABBI ARNIE BENDER, head of gation boasted a membership of 150 families. Kehillat Yaar Ramot in the Ramot Bet Today membership is down to 95 families, and neighborhood. attendance ranges between 50 and 70 people on a regular Shabbat. Nevertheless, says Silverman, there are some positives. “One of the amazing things is that the synagogue is multi-generational. The founders are in their 70s and 80s, and we have managed to integrate a wonderful feeling to see everyone together.” The synagogue has a popular, pluralistic Tali pre- school that has been in existence for 20 years and attracts children from the entire neighborhood. Sil- verman says they have not been approached by other organizations about selling their building, and while WHILE ATTENDANCE at Friday- night and Shabbat-morning she acknowledges the financial challenges that the services has declined, the synagogue faces, she is optimistic about the syna- synagogue has no interest in gogue’s role in the community. Recently Moreshet selling its building. Avraham hosted a wedding of two members of the Ethiopian Abayudaya community, which is not offi- cially recognized by the state as Jewish, but is recog- from Middle Eastern and North African traditions stream. Baker mentions that the Gesher organization, nized by the Conservative and Reform movements. and even from the ancient prayers of the native Eretz which works with secular, religious and haredi youth Yisrael tradition rediscovered over the last century in to establish Jewish unity, recently asked her to speak THE DECLINING numbers of the synagogues in East texts from the Cairo Geniza. and present the position of Conservative Judaism to Talpiot, Ramot, and French Hill are only one part of Hess adds that another type of less formal congrega- groups of teenagers at their seminars. the Masorti story in Jerusalem. Peretz Rodman and tion in Jerusalem has also made an impact. “When I was a teenager,” she recalls, “we went to Yizhar Hess report that other Masorti synagogues in “Last year, after Yom Ha’atzmaut, we began a new Gesher seminars, and Jewish identity seminars consist- Jerusalem are thriving. initiative, by starting egalitarian Kabbalat Shabbat ed of meeting with ultra-Orthodox and Orthodox Jews Kehillat Maayanot meets in the city-owned building services at Robinson’s Arch near the Western Wall.” only. That was the extent of the discussion of Jewish between Talpiot and Armon Hanatziv that it shares Hess says that while the official name of the area is identity. More and more institutions and seminars and with a branch of the East Talpiot Community Center. “Ezrat Yisrael,” its unofficial name is “Egalitarian Kotel.” educators feel that if want to have a serious discussion Rodman says the synagogue has experienced contin- “We have bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies year-round, about Jewish identity, you don’t leave out liberal Juda- ual growth, attracts both families and individuals, and every Friday night, we attract between two-dozen ism anymore. I think that is a really big achievement. and has an active program of children’s activities on and 500 people.” He adds that the Masorti Movement “I feel that there is a general shift in the way that Shabbat. Typical Shabbat-morning attendance num- is beginning a new congregation in the Pisgat Ze’ev Masorti Judaism is perceived in Israel.” bers close to 100, and events such as High Holy Days neighborhood. Hess says surveys show that 7% of Israeli Jews, some services and Purim Megillah reading fill the build- 300,000 people, define themselves as Masorti or ing’s spacious multi-purpose theater/gym space. WHILE SOME Masorti synagogues are struggling, Reform. “That’s a minority,” he notes, “but not an Kehillat Zion in Baka is the newest Masorti congre- Baker feels there is a greater acceptance in Jerusalem insignificant minority.” Hess, Baker, Rodman and מירה שמלות כלה – gation in Jerusalem and, says Rodman, attracts large for the Masorti Movement. other Masorti leaders are counting on those numbers | 052-8786607 | Myra crowds to its Friday-night services, with an eclectic “I think it has made an important shift in the last 20 to help ensure the future of Masorti Judaism in Jeru- liturgy that stresses the Israeli character, borrowing years and has made huge headway into the main- salem and in the Jewish state.

6 IN JERUSALEM | JANUARY 10, 2019