Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Why have thousands of young Jews, otherwise unengaged with formal Jewish life, started more than sixty prayer communities across the United States? What crucial lessons for all Jews can
these grassroots communities provide? Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, one of the leaders of this phenomenon, offers refreshingly new
analysis of age-old questions of how to build Jewish community by examining the independent minyan movement and its relevant lessons on prayer, community organizing, volunteer leadership and how they impact wider issues in American Judaism.
Along with describing the growth of minyanim across the country, he examines the pros and cons of the rabbi/cantor model; the role of music, leadership, space, and youth in their new approach to prayer; and the lessons learned from the concept of immersive, intensive Jewish learning in an egalitarian context. Kaunfer outlines the Jewish values that must be invested in to push the American Jewish landscape to the next level.
Synopsis
The inside story and practical lessons from one of the most exciting developments in contemporary Judaism.
"Part description and part prescription, Empowered Judaism is a manifesto for transforming the way Jews pray and--more broadly--for building vibrant Jewish communities.... It] represents the latest chapter in an] uplifting history of religious creativity. This is a book that every Jewish leader will want to read and every serious Jew will want to contemplate."
--from the Foreword by Prof. Jonathan D. Sarna
Why have thousands of young Jews, otherwise unengaged with formal Jewish life, started more than sixty innovative prayer communities across the United States? What crucial insights can these grassroots communities provide for all of us?
Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, one of the leaders of this revolutionary phenomenon, offers refreshingly new analyses of the age-old question of how to build strong Jewish community. He explores the independent minyan movement and the lessons it has to teach about prayer, community organizing and volunteer leadership and its implications for contemporary struggles in American Judaism.
Along with describing the growth of independent minyanim across the country, he examines:
- The roles of liturgy, space, music and youth in this new approach to prayer
- Lessons to be learned from the concept of immersive, intensive Jewish learning in an egalitarian context
- Jewish values in which we must invest to achieve a vibrant, robust American Jewish landscape for the twenty-first century
Synopsis
The inside story and practical lessons from independent minyanim, one of the most exciting developments in contemporary Judaism. Offers refreshing perspectives on volunteer leadership, strong Jewish community and contemporary struggles in American Judaism.