Thursday, August 22, 2013

An Updated Statement of Purpose for Jewish communities of enduring consequence - by Rabbi Isaac Jeret

by Rabbi Isaac Jeret

Several years ago, while serving as Spiritual Leader of Congregation Ner Tamid in Greater Los Angeles, I authored a Statement of Purpose for Jewish communities in the USA and throughout the Diaspora. A variation of this Statement remains as the Congregation's Mission Statement on its website, as it has been ever since I adapted it to refer to Ner Tamid specifically. Several years later, with a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our communities, I have revised this Statement of Purpose. If you're interested in reading it, please find a link to it below. May God's sacred gift of the month of Elul be as meaningful as you would want it to be as we prepare together as individuals, families, communities, and as a united Jewish People for the New Year of 5774!

A warm, welcoming, and vibrant community, we believe that Judaism is a pathway toward a life of celebration, meaning, and spiritual fulfillment. We aim always to celebrate all that is Jewish with all who love and care for every individual Jew and the Jewish People as a whole. We strive to be a community of Jewish consequence.

We share in each other's joys and comfort one another in our sorrows. Our doors are open wide to all who wish to participate in our Services, programming, and activism, and we embrace all who seek to join with our particular mission and purpose as a Jewish community.

With gratitude for our many blessings, and mindful of our historical, cultural, and religious bond with Jews the world over, we support the welfare of the Jewish People worldwide and take great pride in the State of Israel. Inspired by the richness of our collective Jewish past, motivated by the depth and beauty of the Jewish experience we share in together, we are committed to nurturing and strengthening the Jewish future.