[net.religion.jewish] New Age Judaism

gto@hou2a.UUCP (G.ORROK) (09/24/85)

I just came across your request for information on New Age Judaism and will describe my own experience.
 New Age Judaism grew out of the need of young Jews who were turning to Eastern practices such as Hinduism and Buddhism to find the sense of spirituality they could not find in Judaism.
While traditional Hassidic practices certainly include spirituality, the focus has been on separation and judgment (gevurah) rather than togetherness (we are one) and loving-kindness (chesed).
The movement as I see it recognizes the importance of the identity of the Jewish People but also recognizes that 'we are one' - separate and together simultaneously. 
The position on Torah is consistent with your quote (July 19) from Rabbi Berkowitz's book 'Lo Bashamayim Hee':
"The Torah is eternal because it has a word for each generation.  Every day the Torah should seem as new to you as if it had been given on that day, says the Midrash."  

The founders of the movement continue the Hassidic lineage of Reb. Nahman.  My teacher Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi,  is spiritual director of B'nai Or Religious  Fellowship. 6723 Emlen St. Philadelphia Pa 19119.
He also serves on the faculty of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia which is the training ground for new age rabbis. The literature which can be ordered from Bnai Or include:
New Menorah - Bnai Or Journal of Jewish Renewal  
Schachter, The First Step
Schachter, Fragments of a Future Scroll
Waskow, Seasons of Our Joy - A new-age guide to the Jewish holidays
Other Literature include: Four Worlds Journal PO Box 540 East Meadow, NY 15554

I am interested in other posting re New Age Judaism.  Tim Orrok (hou2a!gto) is posting this for me. 

Fran Silbiger

gto@hou2a.UUCP (G.ORROK) (10/02/85)

New Age Judaism:

In response to Bill Peter's request for some basic orientation
re New Age Judaism,  and to cornell who asked the difference between 
NAJ and orthodox approach,  I will quote briefly from Rabbi Zalman
Schacter-Shalomi's book "The First Step" and then describe briefly our
Yom Kippur experience this year.

"Tradition is Organic
   "In moments of grace, I'm aware that G'd is available to me, in
consciousness, love, and energy.  He's there for all of us; all we
have to do is find Him and take hold.  The problem is that many of us
are confused and disappointed.  We have tried, but we haven't gotten 
far enough. We wander in one direction for a while, then another.  But
it is disheartening: the maps are old and the roads have changed. In 
addressing this problem, we have tried to sketch a contemporary road 
map for living in the Jewish universe and to provide a practical guide 
for using that map. 
   "The coordinates for our map are derived from the tradition of Jewish
mysticism.  The principles which inform this tradition are: 1) that an
act be appropriate to the place, time, and people present, and 2) that
it be in organic harmony with life.  In this way, one who lives the
tradition increases awareness and grows spiritually.  This tradition
has power.  Like everything else in the universe, it is evolving, and
in some measure, it is available to you now."
  
   Our B'nai Or Yom Kippur began at sundown with congregation chanting
of the Kol Nidre.   We use United Synagogue of America Siddur.  Most 
prayers are chanted, rather than spoken, in Hebrew, or English, 
or both, going from one to the other.  The focus is on Kavanah,
(intention) rather than form.  Men and women sit together and prayers
such as the Amidah  include the names of our matriarchs as well as
our patriarchs.  G'd is referred to in both male and female forms. 
Members of the congregation say the form of the name with which they 
are most comfortable.
 We handle the al hhayt (for the sin--) as follows:  Each member
of the congregation has filled out four cards; sins against self, 
against others, against the world, and against G'd.  At each of the four 
readings of the al hhayt, the appropriate cards are passed at random, 
we stand tightly in circles and read aloud the sin we hold.  This is a
deeply moving experience as we struggle as a community to forgive
ourselves and each other.  
   The Aliyahs are handled in various ways.  For Yom Kippur, for the
first Aliyah for Kohen, all those who were leaders, or in charge
were invited up.  For the second, those who follow (Levis), for the
third, all those wrestling with G'd.  The fourth and fifth were related
to the theme of the reading.
   Late in the afternoon, when energy is low, the Jonah story is handled
like a psychodrama with people examining the sub-conscious, conscious,
and super-conscious aspects of Jonah's struggle.  A prayer would be sung
to a popular tune.  This really makes the prayer alive at 5:00p.m.  We 
observe the deepening shadows and drive toward the final blowing of the
shofar, by the Rabbi, the Bar Mitzvah boy, and other members of the
congregation.  We then adjourn for our breaking of the fast together.
   I hope this gives you some flavor of how we do it. The focus is on
intention rather than the specifics of the form. It is rather the
struggle of the community to derive forms which meet the requirements of 
tradition and fulfills the intention of the act.
  B'nai Or has many affiliate groups throughout the country.  In your
area you could contact Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb 295 La Plata N.W. 
Albuquerque, N M. 87101.
  I am also interested in names of people interested in forming a
Havurah in the Holmdel NJ area.  Please post through Tim Orrok (hou2a!gto).
Shalom  Fran Silbiger