October 15, 1999/5 Cheshvan 5760, Vol. 52, No. 7
Walls come tumbling downRabbis break down barriers, cross denominational lines
TAMI BICKLEY
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 Communitywide events, such as this Israel Independence Day celebration, involve Jews of all denominations in the planning - and the revelry. Photo by Mark Gluckman |
Such scenarios, say local rabbis, demonstrate that within the Valley Jewish community, the denominational walls dividing the branches of Judaism are slowly tumbling down.
In the past and still today, rabbis of different denominations have mainly disagreed about halachic (Jewish legal) issues, according to a report released in September by the North American Boards of Rabbis in New York (NABOR). The report details how rabbis today in a number of cities and states throughout North America (not including Arizona) are trying to bridge gaps among denominations.
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"Obviously, there are (differences among denominations) when working together on certain halachic issues (such as those of) personal status, conversion and marriage, where we are just going to agree to disagree," explains Maynard Bell, spiritual leader of Temple Solel, a Reform temple in Paradise Valley.
But now, according to local rabbis and the report, rabbis at least in North America are trying to move past those areas of disagreement.
"This report demonstrates that rabbis have recognized that there are issues that transcend our religious, theological and ideological differences," says Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of NABOR and president of the New York Board of Rabbis. "And that we can build bridges of communication and trust."
Locally, rabbis of different Jewish denominations say they are cooperating with one another on many fronts, from education to community events to building personal friendships.
"We're working together as far as the welfare of the Jewish community is concerned," says Plotkin, rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale. "I don't think denomination means much anymore in terms of spiritual needs. We all need the same things whether we're Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist or Renewal Jews. We all need each other."
Nobody can say for sure when interdenominational relations began to improve within the community. But a number of rabbis agree that positive interaction among rabbis of various denominations has helped to strengthen community bonds.
Attempts to blur interdenominational lines have been made Valleywide by providing a forum for rabbis to speak at congregations outside of their movements, and through joint participation in projects and events.
"The welfare of the community is more important than our denominational differences," explains Plotkin.
Bonnie Koppell, spiritual leader of Beth Sholom, notes that rabbis and the Jewish community, at least in the East Valley, are "exercising some leadership in this area (of interdenominational relations)."
Koppell and Rabbi Andrew Straus of Temple Emanuel, a Reform synagogue in Tempe, co-teach a 22-week conversion-to-Judaism class, coordinating curricula, discussing students and grading exams, Koppell says.
The two synagogues work together in other settings, as well. They participate in a joint Shavuot program, at which Emanuel congregants join Beth Sholom congregants to form study groups; a Yom Hashoah service co-sponsored by the Tri-City Jewish Community Center; and an annual East Valley Purim Carnival.
Orthodox and Reform rabbis sometimes co-officiate at life-cycle rituals, says Plotkin, who has shared rabbinic responsibilities alongside Orthodox colleagues at both weddings and funerals.
Rabbi William Berk of Temple Chai, a Reform temple, describes his "own project" of inviting an Orthodox rabbi from Jerusalem to teach prayer to Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews at his synagogue last year as a "smashing success."
Any attempt to educate Jews - particularly children - about one another's denominations strikes a positive chord with local rabbis.
"I (favor) any event or project that is a unifier rather than a divider," says Rebibo, spiritual leader of the Orthodox Beth Joseph Congregation in Phoenix.
The Bureau of Jewish Education in Phoenix seeks to expose youth to interdenominational diversity in part by offering classes in its supplementary high school program that are taught by rabbis of various denominations, according to Myra Shindler, the bureau's program coordinator.
Plotkin feels that such classes educate young people about denominational differences while instilling a sense of unity, which he says is the most important aspect of interdenominational relations. He points to the work of his late wife, Sylvia, for whom the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum at Beth Israel is named, as contributing to Valley acceptance of Jewish diversity.
"When my wife founded the museum, her primary purpose was to bring all Jews together and show that there is a common historic bond between us," he says. "Even though we have different rituals and ritual objects, we're all (Jews)."
While they agree it is important to unite for the benefit of the community, rabbis say it is equally necessary to forge personal relationships with one another.
"Rabbis should have more informal, social interaction," says Rebibo, who has been in the Valley for 35 years. He adds that although rabbis may disagree on religious matters and interpretations of Torah, that doesn't mean they cannot get along in other ways. "There are some rabbis here ... whom I haven't seen in three or four years, and it shouldn't be this way."
"We need more informal (settings) that break down the stereotypes and resistance," says Berk. "One of the things on my agenda is to keep working on those personal relations. There are some Orthodox colleagues whom I don't know."
Plotkin, who says he is proud of his personal friendships with rabbis outside the Reform movement - including Rebibo and Levertov - says spiritual leaders also should work together to benefit the Jewish poor, the elderly and children with special needs.
"If the rabbis and synagogues are united, it will enhance the community as a whole," says Deitsch. "We're all trying to accomplish the same things. If we get together, we can accomplish so much more."