 | If you've been a regular participant at Shabbat services this autumn, perhaps you've begun to notice subtle shifts in tone and pace. Shir Ami is diverse in many ways, so I've been slowly experimenting with different approaches to Shabbat. My purpose has been to honor the whole of our diverse community, authentically, and also calibrate the palette of "feel" over time. Here's to make this subtle shift more explicit and invite us to co-create different kinds of Shabbat experiences together, starting in January. |
By Rabbi David
A healthy congregation has roots and wings – both ballast and flexibility. Ideally shared spiritual times offer both predictable foundations to hold and nourish, and also curiosity and creativity to inspire different depths and heights of experience to align with the flow of times and seasons.
If you've been a Shabbat "regular," perhaps you've begun to notice subtle shifts in the duration, tone and pace of Shabbat services. Some services have become shorter, others longer. Some services include Torah, others not. Some services are calm, others more energetic. Some are quiet, others have dancing.
My purpose has been to explore ways to weave the multiple tapestries and preferences of our diverse Shir Ami community. At the same time, community members have been discussing what kinds of Shabbat experiences you prefer.
While no one approach can replicate exactly what everyone might design for themselves, I've discussed with our officers some things that, I hope, will offer our diverse community touch points, nourishment for roots and uplift for wings. I'll begin shifting gears in January.
Oneg Shabbat: "Delight" and "Rest"
At its heart, Shabbat elevates two things: "delight" and "rest." That's what oneg shabbat means, and spiritually both halves are key. "Delight" without "rest" is just a fun time; "rest" without "delight" is just a time out. Each is terrific, but neither alone is Shabbat.
Shabbat is both, because the spirit needs both celebration and re-ensouling. It's one reason why Lekha Dodi begins "Shamor v'zakhor b'dibbur ehad – 'Keep' and 'Remember' in one utterance." Shabbat is two in one.
The structure of a Shabbat service toggles between "delight" and "rest." Both in tradition and in modern communities, different parts of a Shabbat service emphasize "rest" or "delight" at different moments and in different ways varying with theme, style and time of year.
An Alternating Shabbat Schedule Starting in January
Some communities offer theme services, a to-and-fro flow with a predictable schedule so participants know what to expect and can feel differences from time to time.
In that spirit, what if Shir Ami alternated Shabbat services dedicated to "rest" and "delight" more explicitly? What if our twice monthly schedule offered a "rest"-emphasis Shabbat and a "delight"-emphasis Shabbat? The first might be shorter, quieter and more contemplative; the second a bit longer (with a Torah experience) and more energized.
Each Shabbat still has elements of both. After all, Shabbat is both, and Shir Ami is both. An explicitly alternating schedule might calibrate the "feel" in predictable and helpful ways.
"Rest" Shabbats (starting January 9) – Like a "healing Shabbat," these will infuse familiar core liturgy with soft music, guided imagery and contemplative moments. These experiences will be shorter, with less liturgy and muted hues.
"Delight" Shabbats (starting January 23) – These will offer an upbeat and celebratory feel. These Shabbat experiences will be a bit longer to accommodate some Torah.
As executive clergy participant in the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, I am presently joining with 40 rabbis nationwide to explore different ways to modulate the energetics of pulpits and our spiritual life generally. I look forward to exploring these different pathways together.
Some Small Requests
As we try this different model, I have some gentle requests of the community:
Please be on time: Services will start at 7:00 p.m. Lately we've delayed the start of services for late arrivals, so services have lagged later. To honor the community especially during winters, going forward I am asked to start services at 7:00 p.m. Thank you for planning ahead.
Please join both "kinds" of Shabbatot. While we will try offering different kinds of Shabbat experiences, we are one Shir Ami community honoring Shabbat together. The overall flow, and our community's vitality, will benefit from experiencing both of Shabbat's impulses.
Help Lead a "Community Shabbat." Not every Shabbat needs to be rabbi centered. While service leadership may be one of the most visible things pulpit clergy do, rabbis don't corner the market on leading services. Shir Ami has a sweet tradition of the community sometimes leading Shabbat itself (with or without my behind-the-scenes support). It'd be terrific to continue that tradition, so that community members can help shape its own heart and soul.
A healthy congregation has roots and wings – both ballast and flexibility. Ideally shared spiritual times offer both predictable foundations to hold and nourish, and also curiosity and creativity to inspire different depths and heights of experience to align with the flow of times and seasons.
If you've been a Shabbat "regular," perhaps you've begun to notice subtle shifts in the duration, tone and pace of Shabbat services. Some services have become shorter, others longer. Some services include Torah, others not. Some services are calm, others more energetic. Some are quiet, others have dancing.
My purpose has been to explore ways to weave the multiple tapestries and preferences of our diverse Shir Ami community. At the same time, community members have been discussing what kinds of Shabbat experiences you prefer.
While no one approach can replicate exactly what everyone might design for themselves, I've discussed with our officers some things that, I hope, will offer our diverse community touch points, nourishment for roots and uplift for wings. I'll begin shifting gears in January.
Oneg Shabbat: "Delight" and "Rest"
At its heart, Shabbat elevates two things: "delight" and "rest." That's what oneg shabbat means, and spiritually both halves are key. "Delight" without "rest" is just a fun time; "rest" without "delight" is just a time out. Each is terrific, but neither alone is Shabbat.
Shabbat is both, because the spirit needs both celebration and re-ensouling. It's one reason why Lekha Dodi begins "Shamor v'zakhor b'dibbur ehad – 'Keep' and 'Remember' in one utterance." Shabbat is two in one.
The structure of a Shabbat service toggles between "delight" and "rest." Both in tradition and in modern communities, different parts of a Shabbat service emphasize "rest" or "delight" at different moments and in different ways varying with theme, style and time of year.
An Alternating Shabbat Schedule Starting in January
Some communities offer theme services, a to-and-fro flow with a predictable schedule so participants know what to expect and can feel differences from time to time.
In that spirit, what if Shir Ami alternated Shabbat services dedicated to "rest" and "delight" more explicitly? What if our twice monthly schedule offered a "rest"-emphasis Shabbat and a "delight"-emphasis Shabbat? The first might be shorter, quieter and more contemplative; the second a bit longer (with a Torah experience) and more energized.
Each Shabbat still has elements of both. After all, Shabbat is both, and Shir Ami is both. An explicitly alternating schedule might calibrate the "feel" in predictable and helpful ways.
"Rest" Shabbats (starting January 9) – Like a "healing Shabbat," these will infuse familiar core liturgy with soft music, guided imagery and contemplative moments. These experiences will be shorter, with less liturgy and muted hues.
"Delight" Shabbats (starting January 23) – These will offer an upbeat and celebratory feel. These Shabbat experiences will be a bit longer to accommodate some Torah.
As executive clergy participant in the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, I am presently joining with 40 rabbis nationwide to explore different ways to modulate the energetics of pulpits and our spiritual life generally. I look forward to exploring these different pathways together.
Some Small Requests
As we try this different model, I have some gentle requests of the community:
Please be on time: Services will start at 7:00 p.m. Lately we've delayed the start of services for late arrivals, so services have lagged later. To honor the community especially during winters, going forward I am asked to start services at 7:00 p.m. Thank you for planning ahead.
Please join both "kinds" of Shabbatot. While we will try offering different kinds of Shabbat experiences, we are one Shir Ami community honoring Shabbat together. The overall flow, and our community's vitality, will benefit from experiencing both of Shabbat's impulses.
Help Lead a "Community Shabbat." Not every Shabbat needs to be rabbi centered. While service leadership may be one of the most visible things pulpit clergy do, rabbis don't corner the market on leading services. Shir Ami has a sweet tradition of the community sometimes leading Shabbat itself (with or without my behind-the-scenes support). It'd be terrific to continue that tradition, so that community members can help shape its own heart and soul.
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