As Jews we cherish both the freedom to express ourselves and the obligations we have toward our community in a dynamic tension that can give rise to either inspiration or alienation. Saul Kaiserman from Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, discusses how to help students manage that tension, and give rise to creativity, by helping them become sophisticated, empowered participants in their prayer community.
Writing for eJewish Philanthropy recently, Kaiserman highlighted ways in which students develop both skills needed to participate effectively in prayer, and insights to understand it and make it personally relevant. "The experience is transforming how our students see themselves, as they become equipped to grapple with their personal relationships with the Divine amidst a congregation of diverse individuals."
As students learn prayers in Hebrew they are also given opportunities to reflect deeply about the meaning through questions such as "what is so great about having one God," or "if we have been praying for peace for so many years, why is there still war?" that they can wrestle with in small groups and share as a community in ways that allow each student to be heard.
Participation skills together with reflective insights are giving the students at Congregation Emanu-El a way to find relevance in our traditions.
You can read the full article, "Empowering Prayer Communities through Religious School Worship," here.
Saul Kaiserman is Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York. Behrman House is proud to partner with Congregation Emanu-El of New York in advancing Hebrew learning.
