The Sh'ma Project
(The Listening Project)

“Education without vision is like a present without a future.”

Our society is fast paced and highly technical.  It is easy to send instant communications and be connected to one another virtually, but how often do we pause to take time for face-to-face meetings or in-depth conversations?  Our educational mission statement for East End Temple states:

“We strive to create a home of Jewish values in which all participants (regardless of age, background, gender, etc.) can learn to live a meaningful life in a Jewish way.”

This mission cannot be accomplished through email, websites, or without spending time getting to know one another.  This knowledge has to extend deeper than demographic facts and cursory greetings; it has to be more intimate. 

How can we, as a congregation, offer meaningful experiences if we do not know what is meaningful to our members?  We must identify the issues that bring concern, pride, discomfort, anger and joy to each of us.  Only then can we create opportunities for learning, in all forms, that responds to the growing spiritual and intellectual needs of our community.  

While it is tempting to look for a quick fix, there are no short cuts in this process.  We need relationships.  To this end, The Sh'ma Project (The Listening Project) has been formed.  This project aims to establish deeper connections among the members of our synagogue, develop leaders, strengthen our community and better achieve our educational mission.  The goal of this project is to create a network of individuals who are willing to take actions reflecting their values and ideals.

The Sh’ma Project has begun a campaign of conversations with members using the model of Congregation Based Community Organizing (CBCO).  CBCO is a process designed to build relationships, identify broadly held concerns and harness our potential collective power to transform our synagogue and beyond.  Through individual and house meetings, we are having intentional conversations to foster relationships, share interests and create a unique vision of education for the future.  The team will be reaching out to you, but if you would like to hear more, contact Sara.

The Sh’ma Project Team so far:  Rabbi David Adelson, Sara Blumstein, Lisa Denby, Karen Feuer, Lisa Goldenberg, Warren Hershkowitz, Kara Krauze, Sara Luria, and Rebecca Shore, in conjunction with Lila Foldes and the URJ's Just Congregations.