The Role of Spiritual Formation In Jewish Congregations

The Future of Reform Congregations: The Role of Spiritual Formation

Introduction

As faith communities navigate the challenges of modern life, spiritual formation has become an essential part of personal and communal growth. People may not always identify as religious, but many still seek spiritual depth, connection, and meaning. Reform Judaism, known for its adaptability and inclusivity, is uniquely positioned to provide diverse pathways to Jewish spiritual formation—helping individuals connect with God, Jewish wisdom, and their own inner purpose.

As an African-American Christian who has found a spiritual home in a Reform synagogue, I have observed firsthand how Jewish congregations create space for seekers from all backgrounds. Serving on a visioning committee to explore the future needs of Reform congregations, I came to see that spiritual formation will be one of the defining needs of Jewish communities moving forward. It is not enough for synagogues to simply provide worship services; they must also cultivate a deeper, more personal spiritual experience for their members.

This essay is the first in a four-part series on the future of Reform congregations. It explores how Jewish communities can expand spiritual formation—through personal growth, prayer, mental health support, and communal belonging—to meet the evolving needs of their members.

Spiritual Formation: Making Space for Every Journey

Spiritual formation refers to the practices and processes that help individuals grow in their connection with the divine, their community, and themselves. Though I first encountered spiritual formation in Catholic and Protestant traditions, I quickly realized that Judaism has a deep spiritual heritage of its own.

From the Mussar movement, which focuses on ethical and character development, to Hasidic storytelling and mindfulness practices, Jewish tradition has long guided people toward spiritual wholeness. Today, Reform congregations have an opportunity to revitalize these practices and offer spiritual formation that meets the needs of a diverse, modern Jewish population.

Key Elements of Spiritual Formation

Reform congregations can strengthen spiritual formation by focusing on four key areas:

• Deepening Connection with the Divine – Engaging in prayer, meditation, and Jewish study as pathways to spiritual growth.
• Personal Growth & Wholeness – Cultivating virtues like humility, compassion, and resilience through spiritual disciplines.
• Communal Dimension – Encouraging group learning, small prayer circles, and shared spiritual experiences to build Jewish identity.
• Alignment with Jewish Wisdom – Drawing on texts like Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) to reinforce the connection between ethics and spiritual practice.

By expanding access to diverse spiritual practices, synagogues can ensure that every individual—regardless of their background or beliefs—finds a place within the Jewish community.

Making Space for All: The Role of Prayer and Belief

In many Christian traditions, faith communities outline theological statements that define their beliefs. People choose churches based on alignment with those statements. In contrast, Reform Judaism offers a pluralistic space—welcoming secular Jews, atheist Jews, deeply observant Jews, and interfaith families under one roof.

I was initially surprised to hear the phrase, “We must make space for the atheist Jew.” In Christian settings, atheists are often considered outside the faith community. However, in Reform Judaism, I met Jews who identified as atheist but still attended services. Some came for the rituals, community, or intellectual engagement; others simply found comfort in Jewish culture and tradition.

Rabbi Michelle Robinson explained it best:

“While the atheist may not believe in God, God still believes in them. They belong to God and can be a good person who does good deeds.”

This perspective recognizes that spiritual formation is not just about belief—it is about belonging, ethical living, and personal growth. Reform congregations must continue embracing multiple spiritual paths so that every Jew, regardless of belief, can find meaning in Jewish life.

A Range of Prayer Options for a Diverse Community

One of the areas where I noticed a difference between Christian and Jewish traditions was prayer practice. In many Christian churches, prayer is highly structured—with prayer groups, prayer lists, healing ministries, and communal intercessions. In contrast, Reform Jewish services often emphasize communal liturgy without always providing space for individual, spontaneous prayer.

When I asked my rabbi, “Do Jews pray?”, I learned that Jewish prayer traditions are rich and diverse but often less structured in personal settings than I had expected.

Reform congregations can enhance spiritual formation by:

• Expanding prayer options – Introducing prayer circles, healing services, and online prayer networks for those who seek more personal engagement.
• Providing different formats – Some may prefer structured liturgy, while others may want meditative or conversational prayer.
• Creating small-group models – Whether focused on Mussar study, grief support, or interfaith dialogue, small groups nurture belonging.

By embracing a range of prayer experiences, synagogues can help more members connect spiritually in ways that feel authentic to them.

Bridging Prayer and Mental Health

Spiritual formation is not only about prayer and study—it is also deeply connected to mental health and emotional well-being. Members of faith communities experience trauma, loss, and personal struggles that require both spiritual and psychological support.

Reform congregations can play a critical role in bridging faith and mental health by:

• Providing pastoral counseling – Offering a safe space for members facing trauma, grief, or crisis.
• Hosting support groups – Programs for divorce recovery, domestic violence survivors, or addiction recovery can integrate Jewish wisdom and emotional support.
• Partnering with mental health professionals – Creating referral networks for professional therapy while maintaining spiritual guidance.

For example, a synagogue could establish a support group for survivors of domestic violence, where members meet weekly in a confidential, nurturing space. Through Jewish teachings on healing and resilience, participants could receive both emotional and spiritual support.

This integration of faith and mental health strengthens both individual well-being and communal bonds, ensuring that synagogues remain places of healing and transformation.

Conclusion: The Future of Spiritual Formation in Reform Congregations

As Reform congregations look toward the future, spiritual formation must become a central priority. By embracing prayer diversity, personal growth, community belonging, and mental health integration, synagogues can provide a holistic approach to Jewish spiritual life.

The Reform movement has always been about adaptation and inclusion. As more Jews seek spirituality outside of traditional structures, congregations must ensure that they remain spaces of connection, learning, and support—regardless of belief, background, or life stage.

This is the first in a four-part series on the future of Reform congregations. Future essays will explore:

1. Inclusivity & Diversity – Building a truly welcoming Jewish community.
2. Youth & Future Generations – Strengthening Jewish identity among young people.
3. Remote Engagement – Expanding Jewish life beyond the synagogue walls.

By investing in spiritual formation, we can ensure that Jewish congregations remain a source of guidance, healing, and inspiration—now and for generations to come.