November 2007 Bulletin Message

Some things happen once in a generation. One such unique development is about to take place across the Reform movement. We are inaugu- rating a new prayer book.

The last time this took place was when I was a rabbinic student. In 1975, our movement unveiled what was for its time a very novel prayer book. It is the book we have used for many years at Sinai. We call it Gates of Prayer.

When it premiered, Gates of Prayer was one-of-a-kind. No other move- ment in Judaism had created a prayer book in decades. The new book re- arranged the placement of Hebrew and English on the page. It introduced clear references to the Holocaust and Israel, which no other siddur yet contained. The book also brought new creative readings into the modern synagogue.

And then time passed. The gender revolution transformed our culture. Different notions about the role of ritual, music, and formality developed. Spirituality became a much more powerful force. Computers revolution- ized how we look at the printed word.

All these cultural shifts led us at Sinai to develop the several prayer pam- phlets we use on Friday evenings. Now they have led to the creation of a totally new prayer book for our entire movement.

The book will be called Mishkan Tefilah – A Dwelling Place for Prayer.

BUT here is the most critical point. Sinai is NOT adopting this prayer book right now. Instead of that, we are inviting EVERYONE in the congregation to try out the new book at services and in study opportunities. We want your input before a decision on the book is made.

We'll use the book for services on Fridays, November 9 and 16. We’ll study the book on some Saturdays in December in place of regular Torah Study from 9 to 10 a.m.

Some things happen once in a generation. Adopting a new prayer book is one such singular event. Come visit over the next few weeks. You can be part of this once-in-a-generation decision for Sinai.

Prior Bulletin Messages from the Rabbi are available on this site.