Crazy Idea, or Is It?

[wrenb]

Last week I was at the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial convention. I had a wonderful time attending workshops, concerts, a play, and praying a whole lot (and, a.n.ers, meeting Karen for dinner and photos). In addition to the ideas I've got for improving my committee work, I've come home with a crazy idea percolating in my brain

Comments

[wrenb]

I need to talk to people at Temple about leadership opportunities that do not involve being on committees. We do have some lay leaders for services, but the ones I can think of all are song leaders, and I don't play guitar. Maybe I could help lead shiva minyans... Hmmm... Good idea Hillary! I don't really want to be funeral girl, but I'm sure that's something I could get over.

I am co-chair of the Caring Committee (aka Mitzvah Corps) so I'm all over that. Sort of. I went to 3 different presentations about caring communities at Biennial last week -- there are some amazing programs out there. Compared to them our committee is really puny and not all that effective. There's definite work to be done there. I'd also like to be involved in outreach stuff for young congregants, and in the new Reform push for Shabbat observance of some sort. Rabbi Yoffie (president of the Union) made it sounds really exciting, and I want to be there. I was beaming during that sermon. I'm going to talk to the rabbi and president about that in the new year. Which means I need to go back onto the Religious Practices committee. I left that committee last year when they did absolutely nothing for 4 months -- overcoming transportation challenges didn't seem worth it in order to discuss the mission statement.

[abernat]

But now she can transport herself. :)

Seriously, though, I think getting more involved is a great idea. Right now the Temple has two avenues. Well, three.

1) Committees, Board, officers.
2) Songleaders. We get in for free because there's not that many and we're kinda popular.
3) Torah readers. Yeah... but that's all you do.

But just because there _are_ those three doesn't mean that that is all there _can_ be. I think lay leadership is a great idea. Really wonderful. There are even some ways to do it. I know that there are services the Rabbi doesn't lead. Normally they're covered by the Cantor or Educator
(or our songleader, actually), but you could definitely help there. Or helping out with Saturday morning services.

My guess is that, like most organizations, we're entrenched into a certain way of thought. And it's about time for it to change.