|
|
October 4, 2002/Tishri 28 5763, Vol. 55, No. 6
'New light' shines in Valley
Conservative congregation established, named
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
A new Conservative congregation is joining the Valley's roster of synagogues.
Congregation Or Chadash, "new light" in Hebrew, was founded by a group of Jewish families who "wanted to start something new and exciting," said Eddie Lange, member of the steering committee.
"We felt a particular need for a Conservative congregation in the northeast Valley," he said. "That's where a good percentage of the Jewish community is right now, and the Conservative movement is not represented there."
A May 29 exploratory meeting allowed the initial 13 people of various ages, religious backgrounds and other demographics, to discuss ideas for the congregation. In June, 31 people participated in an e-mail survey meant to define the group's vision. Participants were asked to "prioritize those things they wanted in year one that they'd be willing to work for," Lange said.
Based on the survey results, a goals and strategy committee created a year-one road map. Group leaders also met with representatives of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for help and direction.
The current mission of the congregation, as evidenced on its letterhead, is "Building a Conservative, Multi-Generational, Participatory Community in the Northeast Valley."
On July 27, the congregation held its first event - a Havdala service at a private home, with 65 people attending. The first Friday night service, held in the school building at La Casa de Cristo Church, was Aug. 23.
Currently, the congre-gation's mailing list includes 105 families.
At a Sept. 22 Sukkot event, members of the congregation's naming committee formally announced its new name to about 90 participants.
"It's really nice because it started as a small meeting around a kitchen table and it's grown to where we are now," said steering committee member Ed Ober. "And it will continue to grow."
Jody Goldman, another steering committee member, called the Sukkot event a "grass-roots effort."
"People were there because they wanted to be, it was not an obligation," she said. "There was an energy, there was an excitement."
Ober says one of the main goals of the group is to make "being Jewish fun. When you're creating something from the ground level up, you can create that atmosphere of enjoyment and appreciation."
So far, the congregation has attracted members of all ages, Lange says, from "three weeks up to great-grandparents."
"It has been appealing to all age groups and that hasn't been coincidental," he said. While the service and the rituals have a "traditional feel to it," there are some differences, such as new tunes to familiar songs "so we would appeal to multiple age groups," he said.
One primary focus of the group is young couples starting a family. "It's very important for us that they help us define the direction of the synagogue," Ober said. "We want the appreciation, the spirit of being Jewish to be relevant to all ages, but particularly those that are starting new families."
By the end of the year, Or Chadash's plans include creating and beginning marketing and fund-raising, preparing a budget, formalizing a mission statement and creating the framework for acquiring a rabbi for select life cycle events.
By mid-2003, the congregation hopes to explore options for a Hebrew school, preschool and youth activities, secure a permanent rented location for Shabbat services, hire a rabbi to lead High Holiday services, plan a fund raiser and gain membership commitment from 100 households by August.
"There's a sense we're creating something special here," Ober said. "I think everybody's going to work real hard to do that."
The next Shabbat service will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at La Casa de Cristo Church, 63rd Street and Bell Road, Phoenix.
Call 602-482-0142 or e-mail congregationorchadash@hotmail.com.
Contact the writer at leisah_namm@jewishaz.com.
|
