|
Congregation Beth
Ha'Ari
|
Combining Tradition with
Searching Innovation
|
|
| Searching for ever-closer connection to The Creator, building a thinking, growing and caring community, Congregation Beth Ha'Ari is committed to the Torah as a spiritual path. Paths are very important, but the goal, God-knowing, and partnering with God to complete the Creation is even more fundamental. The Torah demands that we commence with ourselves, becoming as fully human, fully thinking, feeling, caring, creating and nurturing as we can be. Hand-in-hand with our own growth, we build our families, our communities, our world with love and reverence and love for all. The Torah guides us. Spoken in the language of man, it has always evolved to direct us in every age and place to approach our goals. By definition, a path requires a starting point as well as a goal. As the starting point changes through time, the contour of the path must adapt or it will no longer lead to the goal. Judaism must not become a museum religion, either practiced mindlessly in a manner frozen 200 years ago nor as a mere ethnic life-style. With honest study of our traditions, we need to discover our lost goals and to re-blaze trails, if necessary, to reach them. A technological and fairly prosperous age, especially as it allows women many more opportunities and responsibilities outside the home is a very different world than that of our ancestors. The world of tomorrow will also require different solutions than those of today. Congregation Beth Ha'Ari occasionally holds Shabbat and holiday services as well as lifecycle celebrations as interest requires, but it is primarily focused on Torah study. Rabbi Zeitlin usually offers classes at his studio/Bet Midrash and also often teaches at other local synagogues. The background orientation of Beth Ha'Ari is orthodox, although women's participation, both in tefilla and study is welcomed and encouraged. Just as every day is different and every person is unique, the services and the classes aren't easily predictable or classifiable, but rather is flexible with the goal of building a deep spiritual experience. The liturgy is traditional, but given the day's participants it might be shortened or translated into English. Rather than trying to innovate new rituals and liturgy, we're interested in letting ourselves experience today processes developed over time by our great spiritual masters. If this approach to services appeals to you, please contact our e-mail address. With sufficient interest we can offer either occasional or regular services. Torah study with Rabbi Zeitlin is also freeform, flexible and responsive. Classes, both private and group, combine traditional sources from the Tanach, the Talmud, Kaballah and Chassidic classics, Halacha, contemporary Jewish thought as well as current life and events. He combines traditional orthodox background and observance with the open-minded approach of Renewal (he is currently a vice-president of Ohalah, the Renewal Rabbis' Organization) Limiting the scope of Torah is considered trying to limit The Creator to our individual imaginations and/or fears. Torah is a component of all experience. It's been said, however, that a taste for avant-garde jazz and stand-up comedy are helpful and an open mind (The Kotzker Rebbe, z"l, said that God is found wherever we let him in) is required to enjoy Rabbi Zeitlin's classes. Most classes and all services are open to everyone, regardless of previous experience, knowledge or background. Please e-mail or call for current information and schedules A new direction is Spiritual Counseling grounded in rabbinic, mainly Kaballistic traditions. Please go directly to that page if you're interested. Rabbi Zeitlin is also available for weddings, Bnei Mitzvah celebrations, workshops, Shabbatons and scholar-in-residences. Please contact him directly if you're interested in having him join you. In the past, we presented lessons from a diverse group of rabbis and teachers. These are now generally available and much more readable on other sites. Please click the "archive" link below for more information. B'Shalom, Rabbi Harry Zeitlin |
||||||||||||
|
|