Rabbi, Please
I would like to begin with a quote from Jonathan Tobin, editor of JNS:
“Politics now plays the role religion used to play in most people’s lives. For many their faith is liberalism and the Democrats, with Jewish peoplehood and Israel discarded.”
To Mr. Tobin’s point: when I was growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, synagogues were very important. In our Pittsburgh Jewish community there were Orthodox Synagogues, Conservative and Reform; there were about 20 then, only 15 today. Yet our numbers have increased: In 1960 there were approximately 45,000 Jews in Pittsburgh, and about 50,000 today.* These are not dramatic changes, but synagogue membership reveals a different reality. Here we see a long term decline. In 1960, 70-75% of Jewish households held synagogue affiliation. Today that percentage is 35%.
I agree with Mr. Tobin that religion in Jewish people’s lives has taken a hit. And to his point–-yes, politics has risen in importance. But I wish to suggest another reality, as I see it. We are living in an age of technology. Many people I know find the search for God very difficult. Conservative and Reform Rabbi’s know this but do not adequately address it. Yes, it is a real challenge. But instead dealing with the difficult task of offering spiritual, meaningful ways to support basic faith in God many Rabbis have abandoned the challenge and instead turned to another Jewish precept as a way of being Jewish–-but without God: it is the principle of Tikkun Olam: repair the world. Practice your faith by doing good in the world. Indeed, this does also intersect with some traditionally liberal political positions, welfare, for example.
So here I do agree with Tobin but just take it a step further–-Jews are not different from any other humans when it comes to spiritual need. That is the most basic role of religion, in my opinion.
I have grappled with the need for God as an adult. I have envied the faith of children. I have sought God in the synagogue but found only advice on make the world a better place.** As a poet, some time ago I approached the problem:
Prayer
Hashem, I cannot imagine you
anymore
cannot know you
as you were told to me
high above
in holy white vapour
having sent me here
to be alive. I breathe,
I sleep, I find
promises not kept;
nothing is as real as stones,
headstones and heavy rocks;
often simple thought gets blocked or fails,
or slips away like quick fish, a waking dream,
all I had that meant so much.
The scientist says heat. Measure it.
The Humanist says here and now. Celebrate it.
The rabbi says repair the world.
I say the truest word I know is hollow
Yet I am told there is an unknown plan.
Beyond me, beyond us all.
But believe it.
Friends, we all have questions, we all seek answers. To all Conservative and Reform Rabbi’s: My fervent wish as a Jewish soul is for meaningful spiritual support: Rabbi, please! I need Hashem in my life.
* All numbers from ChapGPT.
** Orthodox Rabbis and congregations are excepted. They seem to address this entire issue more successfully. So why not join them? Just lately, I have!
