Just for those looking for the new Beth Emet Kahal web page, we are experiencing some problems with the links, which should be remedied shortly. In the meantime you can reach the new page at
http://www.bethemet.org/community/committees/kahal/kahal_index.php
For Torah readers and Torah study leaders there is a link to the schedule of Torah readings on the new web page. The direct link is http://www.bethemet.org/community/committees/kahal/torah_5769.pdf
My apologies for this inconvenience. Hopefully the problem will be fixed shortly.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Town Hall Meeting Minutes
Rabbi Andera London moderated our Town Hall Meeting after services on Saturday December 6.
Opening Thought
Andrea started the meeting by telling us about a workshop she went to where the workshop leader asked the participants to get into a circle, very close to each other and to walk around, staying in the circle. Invariably everyone in the circle stepped on each others' heels. The workshop leader told everyone that this is how a close community is - we all step on each others heels -- we all "step on each others ideas now and then." But we can get used to this and treat each other graciously and kindly and lovingly when it happens.
Vision for Kahal
Andrea also reminded us that Kahal and our wonderful services are "organized chaos," with input from many voices and opinions but with the service being the organizing principle.
What was discussed:
1. About decorum during services and Kahal service minhag.
There was much said about these topics:
- We agreed there should be quiet during the Amidah. No chatting in respect for this serious central prayer.
- Parents who are trying to teach their children respectful behavior need the entire community to role model this behavior; it is difficult to tell children they have to be quiet during certain prayers if the children see other grownups chatting.
- About are casual comments and laughter when something amuses us from the Torah reading. There was mixed opinion on this. Some thought this was fine because the Torah evokes a variety of responses, including laughter; others said it took away from the seriousness of reading the Torah.
- During Kaddish some liked it better when only the Mourners stood. Suggestion was made that you can stand or sit whichever has more meaning to you.
- Directions or reminders - for example, suggestion was made that the service leader remind us to be quiet during the Amidah or say we can stand or sit during the Kaddish. The thought was that the service leader would remind us for perhaps 6 weeks.
Finally, Andrea reminded us that this is not a pediatric service or a learner's service. So it is important to keep directions, instructions to a minimum, so as not to disturb the flow of the service.
2. Name tags - Kahal voted and a majority would like to have permanent name tags. We'll hve to figure out how to put this in place, but the Va'ad will work on it.
3. Reconfiguring the room - There was discussion about pulling the chairs in closer to make the service more intimate. Also the suggestion was made to consider reconfiguring the room so that the traffic pattern works better. For example, having the food tables where they are makes it awkward when people are setting up food for pot-lucks. Andrea London and Isabel Schechter will get a committee together to consider this suggestion and make recommendations.
4. Announcements - discussion about how to keep people's attention. We talked about whether having them before or after the final song or at another spot in the service would work better. The main conclusion was that announcements should be kept very short - two sentences at most and people should post notices on the bulletin board and also place handouts on Kahal table with more details. A suggestion was made for the service leader to read all announcements, but most attendees noted that when people make their own announcements it fosters a sense of community and is a way for people to get to know one another better.
5. Family Opening the Ark - families with or without children should be encouraged to open the Ark. And a reminder that all families can sign-up for this honor themselves. Naomi drafted a set of guidelines for the choreography of opening of the ark. Discussion centered on having guidelines like this available for families, while teaching families the guidelines as a community in a supportive manner, rather than having “rules” with families getting chastised for not following them precisely. It was noted that there does not need to be precision in the path of the Hakafah – the intent is for as many people as possible to have an opportunity to touch the Torah.
6. Kahal listserve - The purpose of the listserve is for Kahal related reminders and announcements only.
- We do use it now and then for announcements of Jewish related non-Beth Emet events.
- Suggestion was made that attachments be included as text within the email as well as attachment to give the less computer savvy a way to read the text of the attachment.
- It was noted that the listserve is one of many available forms of communication.
7. Town Hall Meetings - it was suggested that we have the Town Hall Meetings more frequently. At least once a year or perhaps twice a year.
8. Vaad - The Vaad is looking for some new members. We thank Laura Miller, Kathy Mirkin and Marilyn Hendershot for their service on the Vaad and welcome Sara Blumenthal as our teen representative. But we would like a few more members. Questions or interest? Ask any of the current Vaad members: Larry Hamilton, Betsy Fuchs, Leonard Nelson, Judith Cooper, Steve Lipton.
9. Kahal Web Page - Steve Lipton developed this wonderful page. Take a look! See link on left side of www.bethemet.org under the Heading: WORSHIP/AVODAH.( or you can go directly at http://www.bethemet.org/community/committees/kahal/kahal_index.php ed.)
Opening Thought
Andrea started the meeting by telling us about a workshop she went to where the workshop leader asked the participants to get into a circle, very close to each other and to walk around, staying in the circle. Invariably everyone in the circle stepped on each others' heels. The workshop leader told everyone that this is how a close community is - we all step on each others heels -- we all "step on each others ideas now and then." But we can get used to this and treat each other graciously and kindly and lovingly when it happens.
Vision for Kahal
Andrea also reminded us that Kahal and our wonderful services are "organized chaos," with input from many voices and opinions but with the service being the organizing principle.
What was discussed:
1. About decorum during services and Kahal service minhag.
There was much said about these topics:
- We agreed there should be quiet during the Amidah. No chatting in respect for this serious central prayer.
- Parents who are trying to teach their children respectful behavior need the entire community to role model this behavior; it is difficult to tell children they have to be quiet during certain prayers if the children see other grownups chatting.
- About are casual comments and laughter when something amuses us from the Torah reading. There was mixed opinion on this. Some thought this was fine because the Torah evokes a variety of responses, including laughter; others said it took away from the seriousness of reading the Torah.
- During Kaddish some liked it better when only the Mourners stood. Suggestion was made that you can stand or sit whichever has more meaning to you.
- Directions or reminders - for example, suggestion was made that the service leader remind us to be quiet during the Amidah or say we can stand or sit during the Kaddish. The thought was that the service leader would remind us for perhaps 6 weeks.
Finally, Andrea reminded us that this is not a pediatric service or a learner's service. So it is important to keep directions, instructions to a minimum, so as not to disturb the flow of the service.
2. Name tags - Kahal voted and a majority would like to have permanent name tags. We'll hve to figure out how to put this in place, but the Va'ad will work on it.
3. Reconfiguring the room - There was discussion about pulling the chairs in closer to make the service more intimate. Also the suggestion was made to consider reconfiguring the room so that the traffic pattern works better. For example, having the food tables where they are makes it awkward when people are setting up food for pot-lucks. Andrea London and Isabel Schechter will get a committee together to consider this suggestion and make recommendations.
4. Announcements - discussion about how to keep people's attention. We talked about whether having them before or after the final song or at another spot in the service would work better. The main conclusion was that announcements should be kept very short - two sentences at most and people should post notices on the bulletin board and also place handouts on Kahal table with more details. A suggestion was made for the service leader to read all announcements, but most attendees noted that when people make their own announcements it fosters a sense of community and is a way for people to get to know one another better.
5. Family Opening the Ark - families with or without children should be encouraged to open the Ark. And a reminder that all families can sign-up for this honor themselves. Naomi drafted a set of guidelines for the choreography of opening of the ark. Discussion centered on having guidelines like this available for families, while teaching families the guidelines as a community in a supportive manner, rather than having “rules” with families getting chastised for not following them precisely. It was noted that there does not need to be precision in the path of the Hakafah – the intent is for as many people as possible to have an opportunity to touch the Torah.
6. Kahal listserve - The purpose of the listserve is for Kahal related reminders and announcements only.
- We do use it now and then for announcements of Jewish related non-Beth Emet events.
- Suggestion was made that attachments be included as text within the email as well as attachment to give the less computer savvy a way to read the text of the attachment.
- It was noted that the listserve is one of many available forms of communication.
7. Town Hall Meetings - it was suggested that we have the Town Hall Meetings more frequently. At least once a year or perhaps twice a year.
8. Vaad - The Vaad is looking for some new members. We thank Laura Miller, Kathy Mirkin and Marilyn Hendershot for their service on the Vaad and welcome Sara Blumenthal as our teen representative. But we would like a few more members. Questions or interest? Ask any of the current Vaad members: Larry Hamilton, Betsy Fuchs, Leonard Nelson, Judith Cooper, Steve Lipton.
9. Kahal Web Page - Steve Lipton developed this wonderful page. Take a look! See link on left side of www.bethemet.org under the Heading: WORSHIP/AVODAH.( or you can go directly at http://www.bethemet.org/community/committees/kahal/kahal_index.php ed.)
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