Since 2006, Rabbi Howard Laibson, of Congregation Shir Chadash, has represented a unique congregation. "We're just Jewish," is how the Rabbi explains the fact that Congregation Shir Chadash is not affiliated with any particular Jewish movement or denomination.
Being just Jewish creates unique worship opportunities at Congregation Shir Chadash. For instance, Rabbi Laibson conducts a progressive Shabbat service on Friday night, while the Saturday morning Shabbat service remains very traditional.
During the High Holidays, worshippers have their choice of progressive or traditional services, which take place simultaneously, with everyone coming together for the Torah reading, followed by the balance of the service.
For Rabbi Laibson, the benefit of being a part of a congregation that is just Jewish is simple, yet important. "People are genuinely free to approach Jewish tradition and practice and thought as independently as works for them," He continues, "It's important that people not
be bound by ideological differences that are becoming less and less compelling for more and more people." He points out that the recent Pew Research Center survey on American Judaism indicates that young Jews, in particular, already see themselves as being just Jewish, and are not particularly moved by the traditional practices of those around them. "Our being unafilliated really invites that kind of openness and creativity."
In further discussing the results of the Pew survey, which have served as a lightning rod for discussion within the Jewish community, Rabbi Laibson points out that the survey has sparked a new kind of Jewish outreach. "There need to be more and more efforts in reaching out to people where they are. In different parts of the country, I'm seeing rabbis and Jewish educators meeting with folks at local coffee houses. It's being made known that a rabbi will be at a particular coffee house on, say, Thursday at a particular time, and anyone who would like to stop by and shmooze is welcome to come."
"What's really interesting is that most of the effective programs that are working today are actually not in synagogues and are not affiliated with any of the movements. At Shir Chadash ,
COMMUNITY PROFILE RABBI HOWARD LAIBSON
LBJL March 2014 | www.lbjewishlife.com