As part of my Leading in Culturally Responsive Learning Environments course, I recently visited a Shabbat service at Temple Israel - Minneapolis. I've never visited a synagogue before and have no close Jewish friends or relatives. I've had just a little exposure to the Hebrew language as a choral musician.
Visiting Temple Israel felt especially significant at this time of great unrest and violence in the city of Minneapolis. Just hours before Shabbat, thousands attended a protest and marched peacefully through downtown Minneapolis for the second week in a row. I live and teach about 20 miles east of the heart of Minneapolis, so while my students and I are still affected, it's not the same as being right in Minneapolis. Jewish people, both in America and around the world, have faced and suffered the same prejudice, opposition, and violence that immigrants and people of color are currently facing in Minnesota.
The Shabbat service began with an optional Oneg Shabbat. This is a reception that happens before the service, and was focused on the celebration of Tu BiSh'vat, one of the four Jewish New Years. As soon as I walked in, literature was available that explained the symbolism of TuBiSh'vat, and how it is the "New Year of Trees," marking the beginning of another cycle of fruit bearing. I was welcome to move about the room, and there were people stationed around to explain the fruits and wines available to try, as well as answer any questions about the holiday.
At 6:00 pm we were ushered into the sanctuary. It was beautiful, and full of symbolism that I did not understand - doors, carvings, special displays, etc. Some adults and children wore head coverings, many did not. All of the songs, while beautiful, were totally unfamiliar. The words were projected in both Hebrew and their English transliteration, but I did not understand most of it and struggled to pronounce it! There were several parts of the service where the people around me would do a knee bend and bow forward and I wasn't sure what to do.
During the sermon, we were invited to talk with our neighbors about how the events unfolding in Minneapolis were affecting us. Already feeling emotional, I turned towards the two women next to me. They graciously let me cry and offered handshakes and hugs. They were also visitors! They are Jewish educators and had just arrived in Minnesota for a conference. One woman explained that she also had been a music educator! It felt like a divine coincidence that we were sitting next to each other. After the service we continued to talk. They shared a phone number and invited me to call if there was anything they could do to help while they're here in town. What a wonderful feeling! They asked if I knew any of the synagogue musicians. I bashfully explained that this was my first time EVER visiting Temple Israel! It was delightful to share this visiting experience with these women. They did not bat an eye when I told them I had never been here before. I felt so truly welcome with them.
The woman next to me shared an incredibly encouraging thought. She shared the words of the prophet Isaiah (2:4): "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." Then she shared the words of a famous Israeli poet, Yehuda Amichai - "Don't stop after beating the swords into plowshares, don't stop! Go on beating and make musical instruments out of them. Whoever wants to make war again will have to turn them into plowshares first."
After many "Shabat Shalom" greetings from others (and my own hearty "thank you's" in reply) I walked to my car, feeling invigorated after such a community-focused experience. I did not understand anything that wasn't in English. But the sense of community was inclusive and strong. I still feel a sense of wonder at the way almost everyone else knew the rituals, sang songs in another language, and celebrated within a community different from anything I've ever experienced. I grew up in the evangelical Christian church, where everything was always English and there was no liturgy. There were no ancient rituals or practices.
I look forward to bringing my family (husband and elementary-aged children) back for one of the family-friendly Shabat services at Temple Israel. There are very few situations in my day-to-day life where I am unfamiliar with the language or actions and I want to experience this again with my children.
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