Jan 31st 2008, 00:00

Dear Friends,

I am delighted by the overwhelming positive responses I have received to the changes and innovations I have added to our worship services. Clearly I was inspired by my attendance at the URJ Biennial in San Diego in December, but in many other ways “change is in the air.” We have remodeled the sanctuary and are completing the social hall, and if you follow politics at all, you know that “change” is the current buzzword on the campaign circuit.

Religious tradition and organizations, by definition, are hesitant to change. People look to religion as a constant in their lives and Jews look to the prayers, the melodies, the words, and the ritual for comfort and source of stability in an ever-changing world. Thus, as we have always done, we must strike a balance between tradition and modernity. We must stay firmly rooted in the past, but always be looking towards the future.

I know little details make a big difference. One thing I have started to do is stand at the entrance doors of the sanctuary as people arrive and come into our worship space. I try to shake everyone’s hand and wish everyone “Shabbat Shalom!” If you have been to services lately, I have begun each service with a niggun, a melody without words. Starting with a song with no words evens the playing field, as it were. It says to those who do not know Hebrew that they can participate as well. I have also been coming down off the bima to lead some songs directly in front of the congregation. These are all little details and small changes in style and routine, but judging from all the positive comments, I think they have made a big impact and helped us be an even more warm and welcoming congregation.

I have to admit that making these small changes has been a risk for me. Moving out of one’s comfort zone is always a challenge and for a rabbi, moving out from behind the podium makes one feel that much more vulnerable. I also have to admit that the past few weeks have been enormously rewarding. I am discovering new comfort zones and learning to turn the vulnerability into an asset instead of a liability. For the first time in several years, I feel as though I am growing as a rabbi and a person. This too is a very rewarding feeling, personally and professionally.

More changes are on the horizon. The Reform Movement has produced a new prayer book, which TBT is now considering adopting. If its adoption is approved by the Board of Directors, you will be hearing a lot about it in coming months. We will also be trying some new kinds of worship experiences: a musical service without prayer books (words up on a screen), and an intergenerational Shabbat morning service where children, parents, and grandparents all sit together. I hope you will make coming to Temple a priority in your lives, and I hope when you come you will feel spiritually fulfilled and uplifted.

If I may make a shameless plug, don’t miss my next Adult Education series on Spirituality on Tuesday, February 19 and 26, 7:00-8:30 PM in the Social Hall. I will be co-teaching this class with Rev. Jon Dobrer from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fullerton (our friends who meet here at TBT on Sunday mornings).

Lech L'shalom - May you go in peace,

Rabbi Kenneth Milhander