BRISTOL & WEST PROGRESSIVE JEWISH CONGREGATION Community Minhag (rev. 06/2017) These notes summarise current practices in the Bristol & West Progressive Jewish Congregation, a constituent synagogue of Liberal Judaism (LJ). We fully embrace Liberal Judaism's egalitarian principles; men and women may participate equally in all aspects of synagogue life. We are also a diverse community encompassing a range of opinions, beliefs, and practices. Our religious services reflect the nature of our community. The following guidelines, with a few exceptions, are not intended to be prescriptive. Rather, they are meant to provide helpful guidance in case of doubt. Therefore anything here that arouses disagreement or distress should be brought to the attention of a member of the Rites & Practices committee so that it may be discussed and if appropriate-revised. It is our intention to revisit these guidelines periodically to ensure they keep up with our current practices. Services General There is no formal dress code in our synagogue; however, we request that all dress respectfully. Men and women sit and pray together. Chair arrangements are the decision of the service leader and warden. Our community does not require a minyan (10 Jewish adults) for worship. Additionally, the Torah may be taken out of the ark without a minyan present. All members of the congregation are accorded equal status. Cohanim and Levi'im (Cohens or Levis) are not accorded special status in our community. Our custom is to generally allocate one aliyah (call up to the Torah) on Shabbat mornings and regular chaggim (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, Simchat Torah...) and 1-3 at High Holy Days; however, more aliyot may be allocated as with the agreement of the Rabbi. When individuals are called up to the Torah, we encourage the inclusion of both parents' Hebrew names if both parents are Jewish. In the case of only one Jewish parent, the Hebrew name of only the Jewish parent is used. Men and women who are called up to the reading of the Torah are offered a tallit; wearing a tallit is not compulsory.
Service leaders Leaders wear kippah & tallit for all services, including evening and afternoon services. Leaders may turn to face the same direction as the rest of the congregation when reciting the Bar'khu, Amidah and Aleinu. Our congregation s custom is to stand at least to the end of the Kedushah. Our custom is for the torah reader to choose any range of verses from the relevant portion. Generally Liberal practice is to read ten or more verses, to give proper kavod (honour) to the sefer Torah (Torah scroll). The parashah (Torah reading) is normally read from the sefer Torah; however, one may read from a chumash. If the reading is from a chumash, a designated individual should also follow the text in the sefer Torah with the yad. When the three communal prayers (country or Royal family, community, Israel) are read, the service leader and gelilah (dresser of the sefer Torah) should stand on either side of person holding the sefer Torah. Prayer for the Sick Names of friends and family members who are unwell may be given to the Rabbi to add to the list of people we pray for each Friday and Saturday. The list is open to Jewish and non-jewish names. The list of names is kept in the black binder on the bimah (reading table). The Rabbi maintains the list. Prayers for the Community Mid-way through the Prayer for the Community, the reader pauses. The individual with the honour of reciting the Prayer for the Sick recites the names. After the names are read, the reader may ask or pause for additional names from the congregation. The names may be followed by the reading of a Prayer for the Sick (or no prayer). There are two prayer options on laminated honour card no. 12; a third option is on page 607 of the siddur, or the service leader may use a prayer or words of their choosing. Then second half of the Prayer for the Community is then read. Honours The warden generally distributes honours (on the laminated cards in the folder labelled "Honour Cards"), with guidance from and service leader. See below for details of participation of non-jews. The following honours are religious obligations for Jews and may only be offered to Jewish individuals: Opening the ark (non-jews may stand in front of the ark, but not open it) adults and children Carrying the sefer Torah adult only; non-jews may carry on Simchat Torah Reciting blessings before & after the Torah reading (aliyah) adult only
Reciting blessings before & after the haftarah (prophetic) reading adult only Dressing the sefer Torah (gelilah) - adults and children Lifting the sefer Torah (hagbahah) adult only The laminated cards for the above honours include special wording, indicating that they are religious obligations for Jewish people. Participation of Jews and non-jews When allocating honours, wardens need to be sensitive in how they inquire whether people are Jewish. Referring to an honour with a Hebrew term (e.g., "aliyah", "gelilah", etc.) may be a gentle way of identifying whether someone is Jewish. The following honours may be extended to non-jews: Opening the curtains at the beginning of the service. Lighting candles on Friday night. Reading special English passages (Psalms, poems, etc.) or parts of the service that are not part of the traditional liturgy Reciting the Prayer for the government/royal Family, the community, Israel and for the sick. Reciting the parents' prayer with the Jewish parent at bar/bat mitzvah Greeting visitors and new comers. Preparing the wine and Challah. Non-Jewish men and women may-if they wish-wear a kippah/yarmulka as a mark of respect for the religious custom, but it is not an obligation. We should remember that wearing a kippah is not a requirement for Jews either. Tallitot (prayer shawls) may be worn by Jewish adults only. Service Styles Services are to be categorised when advertised to the community. Classic BWPJC service Meditative service Service In the Round (i.e. a seating change) Chavurah Supper (i.e. an abbreviated service from Siddur Lev Chadash with dinner, where attendees are encouraged to bring a dish). Creative Service Learning Service Cheder/Family Service Musical service English Only Hebrew Only A classic BWPJC service is any service which closely follows the Liberal siddur, uses the parasha of the week in the Liberal Judaism Lectionary, overwhelmingly uses tunes familiar to the congregation, and which is delivered in a combination of Hebrew and English.
D var Torah It is customary during the Shabbat service for someone to deliver a d var Torah (word of Torah), which is generally around the week s parasha (portion). The d var Torah may be offered by the service leader or someone else, usually at the end of the Torah service (Kriyat ha-torah) section (p489) and before the Aleinu (p520), though it may be offered at other points as the service leader sees fit. Generally, there are two styles of d var Torah: (1) an exposition of the portion in the style of thought of the day or mini-lecture, or a more interactive session where the leader encourages the expression of views through questions and study. Other innovative styles maybe used: in some cases the d var Torah is not specifically related to the week s portion but another area of Jewish thought or ethics. We regard it as a privilege and honour to be allowed to stand in front of the community and speak to them. Whatever the style, it is important that the person delivering the d var Torah does not use this opportunity to promote their own political view or ideology. Our community has a great diversity of views on politics and Israel, so one needs to be respectful of this diversity and avoid forcing one s own agenda, particularly because many people come to a service for comfort and inspiration, but not usually for a political debate. The d var Torah should be used to enhance their spiritual experience as well as educate, provoke thought, nurture our sense of community and inspire people to action (Tikun Olam). 2. Bar/Bat Mitzvah BWPJC has developed guidelines for children and families of bar/bat mitzvah, as well as an agreement outlining specific duties of the young person, and of the synagogue community. We encourage all of our young people to study for bar/bat mitzvah and then continue with their adult Jewish education. Becoming bar/bat mitzvah through public ritual and acknowledgement is a choice to be made by the child and their family. Any child or adult choosing to become bar/bat mitzvah must have Jewish status. The earliest date that our young people may celebrate bar/bat mitzvah is after both their Hebrew and secular birth dates. Prior to the service, a child is expected to attend cheder regularly, and attend Shabbat services and Festivals regularly for at least one year prior to bar/bat mitzvah. We desire to preserve the positive symbolism of donning a tallit as accepting of mitzvot, and becoming a responsible adult in the Jewish
3. Marriage community. Consequently, we feel that before bar/bat mitzvah, it is inappropriate for a child to wear tallit. We expect a child to undertake as much as they can for a meaningful experience/service. We will encourage a child to continue being involved in the youth programme and help out in cheder after bar/bat mitzvah. An adult member of the community may undertake the commitment to study and prepare for adult bar/bat mitzvah, with support from the Rabbi or a lay leader in the community. All bar/bat mitzvah students will complete a mitzvah project in the leadup to their bar/bat mitzvah. Under English law, a Rabbi can only officiate in the marriage of two Jews. Mixed-faith blessings may not be conducted in the Synagogue, but may be conducted off site. Couples who seek the Rabbi s involvement need to consult with the Rabbi privately. 4. Divorce Jewish tradition extols marriage but recognises that a breakdown of the relationship can occur for a variety of causes, and therefore permits divorce. According to traditional Jewish law, a get (Jewish bill of divorce) is required for every Jewish marriage that is dissolving, whether or not there was a religious wedding ceremony. From its beginnings, the Liberal movement has objected strongly to the inequalities of traditional Jewish divorce and therefore we do not require a get. Civil divorce is considered sufficient; however, Liberal Judaism does recognise that some other denominations of Judaism do require a get and that some couples wish to have one to enable them to remarry. In these cases the Liberal Judaism Beit Din can arrange for this. If someone originally married in an orthodox synagogue and wishes to remarry, for the benefit of the ex-partner and any future children, it may be advisable to obtain a get from an orthodox or Masorti synagogue. Liberal Judaism also offers a mutual sefer-k ritut document of separation. There are no Liberal Jewish rituals relating to divorce. For further published information, see Where we stand on Jewish Marriage by Rabbi David Goldberg and Guide to Jewish Marriage by Rabbi John D. Rayner, both published by Liberal Judaism and available from the Liberal Judaism office. 5. Funerals The community supports all who mourn and have arrangements in place to offer that support.
A separate document covering all matters concerning death, funerals, and mourning was revised in 2016 and can be accessed here http://bwpjc.org/lifecycle-events/funerals/ (for general access). 6. Kashrut Dairy or vegetarian food is permitted in the synagogue, as well as kosher fish. Meat is not permitted anywhere on the premises. Extra care must be taken that boughtor brought-in food doesn t contain hidden meat products such as gelatine or animal fat or products. Wine for kiddush needs to be kosher (have a heksher kashrut certificate). All whiskey is kosher, but not for Pesach as it is grain based. Pesach: Leavened food (chametz) may not be used at the communal seder or be brought into the synagogue immediately before or during the week of Pesach. 7. Synagogue Shop It is important to respect various practices concerning money and Shabbat, and no one should be asked or required to handle money on Shabbat. If an individual prefers not to pay on Shabbat, a delay in payment should be agreed with a member of Council and an 'IOU' indicated in the purchase log notebook. 8. Jewish status In line with Liberal Judaism, an individual may be accepted as Jewish if one of they fulfil one of the following status requirements: come from two Jewish parents; come from one Jewish parent and were raised and educated as a Jew, culminating in public affirmation at a bar/bat mitzvah or kabbalat torah ceremony; OR converted to Judaism under the auspices of a recognised Jewish movement. All issues of Jewish status are referred to Rabbi Monique, who may consult with the Liberal Judaism Beit Din.