Rabbi David Kaiman

Vision for Conservative Jewish Communities
by Rabbi Danny Nevins

November 2009

The ideals upon which Conservative Jewish communities are grounded call for the study and practice of Torah in a modern context. Torah is to be studied in its accumulated glory with the tools and open spirit of the modern academy. Mitzvot are to be practiced with fidelity and devotion in an inclusive spirit meant to expand the interaction with broader society rather than segregate Jews from the ideas and people around them. This modern and yet traditional formulation of Judaism is complicated and thus difficult to explain. Learned volumes have already been dedicated to the history, theology, law and ethics of Conservative Judaism, and others will surely follow. This brief description is meant to clarify our purpose and to welcome others to join us in strengthening the Jewish covenant with God.

Covenant with God. The foundation of the Jewish covenant is our faith that all of existence was called into being by the will of the Creator, and that the Creator has invested humanity with the divine image. God's ultimate essence is beyond human comprehension, as are the mysteries of creation, revelation, and providence. Yet we share the conviction that our lives may be filled with purpose and holiness through the study of Torah, the practice of mitzvot, the creation of sacred community and the pursuit of justice. These four aspects of Jewish practice should be viewed as our attempt to understand the will of God and to cling to God with all of our mind, spirit and strength.

Study of Torah. Torah is a broad term that encompasses the Jewish people's deepest understanding of the origins, purpose and contents of its covenant with God. Torah is an ever-renewing stream that includes three millennia of biblical and rabbinic literature as well as contemporary works of interpretation. The study of Torah is a life-long obligation for every Jew; our rabbis and congregations exist in large measure to share this knowledge with Jews of all ages, to integrate traditional wisdom with the insights of modern scholarship, and to apply Torah values to the challenges of contemporary life. The primary function of a rabbi is to engage the Jewish people in the practice and study of Torah.

Practice of Mitzvot. The Jewish covenant teaches individual and collective obligations towards God and other people. While people may choose to fulfill or ignore these obligations, we believe that life is enriched immeasurably by the intentional practice of mitzvot. Mitzvot govern ethical conduct such as respect for the life, property and dignity of other people, as well as rituals that mark our devotion to God. Such rituals include, among many others, daily prayer, kosher diet, and the sanctification of time through observance of Shabbat and the festivals. The details of these ethical and ritual obligations as described in halakhic literature make such practices both challenging and rewarding. No person's practice of mitzvot is perfect; our faith in God's compassion includes the great power of forgiveness. Likewise we seek to foster forgiving communities that welcome all seekers of the divine presence and offer mutual encouragement in the pursuit of holiness.

Sacred Community. From its origins, the Jewish covenant has been expressed through the family, the local congregation and the collective people of Israel. The individual is reminded not to separate from the community, for it is in community that the divine presence becomes apparent. The Torah emphasizes the importance of inclusive communities in which strangers are welcomed and even loved. Our communities are dedicated to this ethic of inclusion, where men and women as well as people of diverse religious, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations are all welcomed to participate fully in congregational life. People from non-Jewish maternal backgrounds are welcome to become full partners of the covenant through the practice of mitzvot and the traditional rituals of conversion. Our rabbis are trained to supervise this process and our congregations are committed to making their houses places of welcome for all.

Our communities are devoted to supporting one another, both locally and around the world. The State of Israel is our sacred homeland, and our communities promote support for a secure and peaceful state. In addition, our congregations and their clergy are devoted to being active citizens of their local communities, joining together in the construction of a civil society and expressing appreciation and friendship for people of diverse backgrounds and affiliations.

The Pursuit of Justice. The Jewish covenant with God is designed to be a force for redemption of the entire world, spreading faith in God's unity, in human dignity, and in compassion for all of God's creatures. Where some people see the covenant as an assertion of superiority, we understand it to teach Israel how to be a light unto the world and a force for universal justice. When human freedom and dignity are violated, the image of God is diminished. Our congregations are meant to be havens from the often crass and materialistic popular culture. At their best, they are model communities of justice and righteousness which advocate for these values in society. Rabbis and congregations in partnership can realize the prophetic ideals of our tradition and make the Torah a source of light and hope for all people.