Rabbi Russ Resnik wrote a very great blog post yesterday titled Cinco de Mayo and the Jews in which he discusses Cinco de Mayo itself, and ethical considerations concerning the recent Arizona immigration bill. The article is well worth reading, but here is just a taste:

-Rabbi Russ Resnik from his recent blog post, "Cinco de Mayo and the Jews"

My wife and I are deeply committed to re-imagining congregational life, developing innovative and creative programming, and planting vibrant spiritual communities. As a skilled community builder, I am often sought as a consultant on congregational life and growth and travel regularly to assist communities going through change, reorganization, and those wanting to incorporate more vibrant and meaningful liturgical worship.

As a result, I am always seeking creative and innovative ideas, and visiting communities that are on the forefront of change. I often share on this blog a number of practical suggestions that can be helpful for your own spiritual community. This is especially true of books that I believe are 'must-reads' for congregational leaders who desire to remain relevant and continue to meet peoples deep-felt spiritual needs.

One such recent book I would consider required reading is, "Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities" by Rabbi Elie Kaunfer.

The Jewish Theological Seminary recently hosted an excellent panel discussion on this book with Rabbi Kaunfer, along with other noted figures Professor Steven Cohen, Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, and moderated by JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen.

The discussion is very important because it presents growing trends within the Jewish community toward a heightened experience of G-d, engaging participatory communities, and meaningful prayer. I highly recommend listening to the panel HERE.

In recent years the Jewish community (primarily younger generations) have been moving away from a Jewish experience dictated only by 'belonging.' For many young Jews, Jewishness is no longer perceived as a given, but rather a choice. You can agree or disagree with this, but one thing is for certain - those Jews who desire to remain involved are not looking for a Judaism that is a secular culture of bagels and lox -but rather Judaism as a Faith (something I raised in my recent paper at the Borough Park Symposium).

Yet, what many young Jews are beginning to realize is that they did not even know they were looking for faith. It turns out what we young Jews are looking to do is what we have always sought to do, to simultaneously connect with G-d and find our place within thirty centuries of Jewish history.

Seems we're still deeply spiritual after all!

This past weekend was the UMJC Kabbetz HaEsrim Southeast conference, held in Cary, NC at host congregation Sha’arei Shalom. Nearly fifty young Messianics between the ages of 18-35 gathered to pray, worship, and build relationships with each another. Participants enjoyed worship services and numerous opportunities to strengthen relationships. The opening session was kicked off Friday night with a Kabbalat Shabbat service, Shabbat dinner, and a special message brought by Dr. Seth Klayman. Additional speakers over the weekend included Rabbi Jamie Cowen and myself.

Shaletha Riggs, one of the conference organizers, commented, “I feel like the people who came left feeling more connected to their Messianic Community and renewed by the time spent in worship and prayer. The teachings and discussions were very helpful and sparked a desire to practically look for ways to be a part of the future of Messianic Judaism. It was definitely a fulfilling experience!”

According to another participant, Jason Linas from Richmond, VA, “Kabbetz was a resounding success this weekend. It was very fruitful and a real blessing ... this weekend was an EYE OPENER for me personally."

Getting Involved

“The central aspect of all we do is community building,” says J. David, Chair of the UMJC Twenties Committee. “I’ve seen many long standing friendships established during these times together. People in their twenties and thirties in the movement are few and far between, so this is so encouraging to all of us.”

The UMJC Twenties Committee is continually working to empower and raise-up the next generation through a number of initiatives, including Kabbetz HaEsrim.

For more information about the Twenties Committee or our upcoming events visit us on Facebook or email us at umjc20s@gmail.com.

Little does contemporary religion ask of humanity. It is ready to offer comfort; it has no courage to challenge. It is ready to offer edification; it has no courage to break idols, to shatter callousness.

The trouble is that religion has become "religion" - institution, dogma, ritual. It is no longer an event ... It is customary to blame secular science and antireligious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid.

When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living foundation; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless.

Abraham Joshua Heschel, "The Insecurity of Freedom," p 3-4.

The true motivation for prayer is not, as it has been said, the sense of being at home in the universe, but rather the sense of not being at home in the universe.

Is there a sensitive heart that could stand indifferent and feel at home in the sight of so much evil and suffering, in the face of countless failures to live up to the will of G-d? On the contrary, the experience of not being at home in the world is a motivation for prayer.

The experience gains intensity in the amazing awareness that G-d himself is not at home in the universe. He is not at home in a universe where His will is defied and where His kingship is denied. G-d is in exile; the world is corrupt. The universe itself is not at home.

To pray means to bring G-d back into the world, to establish His kingship for a second at least. To pray means to expand His presence.