STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Baltimore is the site of a vibrant, diverse and growing Jewish community. Reflecting this, the organizers of Chevrei Tzedek established a Conservative synagogue located within Baltimore City which is intimate, informal, participatory, and egalitarian. A summary of the guiding principles of the synagogue follows:
Tzedakah and Social Justice
The founders of Chevrei Tzedek chose its name to characterize the principles around the synagogue will be organized: community and justice. As partners in the Creation, it is imperative that we work diligently towards the goal of a just and humane society and fulfill our obligation to repair the world and be "shutafo shel ha Kodesh Barukh Hu be-maasei bereshit"; partners with G-d in the creation of a more perfect world. Members and professional leaders will be called upon to be actively involved in Tzedakah and social action projects and to identify those activities as one of the central functions of the synagogue together with education and religious worship.
Affiliation with the Conservative Movement
As a progressive, dynamic movement which is also founded in tradition, progressive Conservative Judaism best reflects the principles around which Chevrei Tzedek will be organized. We believe in the continuity of tradition and ritual while at the same time valuing the evolution of Jewish theology to reflect our maturity and our role in a dynamic society.
"It is Conservative Judaism that most directly confronts the challenge to integrate tradition with modernity. By retaining most of the tradition while yet being hospitable to the valuable aspects of modernity, it articulates a vital, meaningful vision of Judaism for our day." From Emet Ve Emunah, a statement of principles developed by the leaders of the Conservative movement.
Professional Leadership
While stressing the importance of an active, involved membership, Chevrei Tzedek also affirms the value in Jewish tradition of professional scholarship. We intend to hire a rabbi who will participate actively with us and teach us.
Chevrei Tzedek will look for a rabbi who will work together with the lay membership thus reaffirming the Jewish ideal that all members can participate in debating and defining religious and ritual guidelines within the general parameters of Halacha. The scholarship of the rabbi will provide the leadership necessary for the lay members to actively participate. In addition, we appreciate the need for a dedicated leader who can guide us through life cycle events and ritual observances.
Services
Chevrei Tzedek is committed to evolving into a synagogue which will serve all the life cycle needs of its members including bar and bat mitzvot, funerals, weddings and daily minyanim. Once fully organized we plan to have services every Shabbat and throughout the Jewish yearly cycle of holidays and events. We hope to have special celebrations for the holidays, as appropriate, in addition to services. Eventually, we would like to have Chevra Kedeshah to serve as a resource for the community.
Egalitarian
Chevrei Tzedek will recognize that women and men are equal partners in their commitment to and exercise of religion. Women will be counted toward a minyan and will participate in all aspects of worship including: davening; leyning and being call up for an aliya. Women who feel that it is appropriate to wear talitot or kipot are encouraged to to so.
Participatory
Just as people are called upon in the Jewish tradition to continue and be partners in the divine work of creation, the organizers of Chevrei Tzedek believe in a community in which all members are dedicated to actively participating in the work of the synagogue. This principle will be effectuated by requiring all members to agree to provide a certain number of hours of service a year in addition to their monetary dues. This service could be as a contributor to services by davening, facilitating Torah discussions, through community activities or charitable activities grounding in Jewish traditions, children's activities, or by assisting in synagogue administration or building maintenance. what is essential is not the type of participation but the commitment to service and to the community.
Education
Talmud Torah, study, is a basic and primary value of Judaism. To study, learn and teach are the obligations and privileges of every Jew because Judaism does not call for blind faith but for meaningful observance. the Jewish tradition of freedom is based on the precept that G-d is best served by the fullest assertion of humankind's faculties and gifts.
Chevrei Tzedek intends to instill a lifelong commitment to education in its members and to integrate education into all aspects of the synagogue. The minimum educational requirements of 6 hours of Hebrew School a week will be upheld. While it is not practical to establish a Hebrew school at this time, we plan to supplement outside schooling with an active, innovative program of education for our children linked with Shabbat, services, and the holidays. The adult members will be participants in this education program thus further teaching their children that education is not a segregated, static piece of one's life, but a dynamic process integrated with community, family and religious activities.
Creativity
Humanity's divinity is rooted in our ability to use our minds for rational, logical thought and to develop and create as an extension for the Divine creation. The abstract or creative are equally important in the realization of a Jewish community. Thus, Chevrei Tzedek wants to encourage the creative in its programming through artwork, music and dance and the incorporation of creative ritual art. In this way we hope to infuse the community with a creative, energetic and dynamic spirit.
Tzedakah and Social Justice
The founders of Chevrei Tzedek chose its name to characterize the principles around the synagogue will be organized: community and justice. As partners in the Creation, it is imperative that we work diligently towards the goal of a just and humane society and fulfill our obligation to repair the world and be "shutafo shel ha Kodesh Barukh Hu be-maasei bereshit"; partners with G-d in the creation of a more perfect world. Members and professional leaders will be called upon to be actively involved in Tzedakah and social action projects and to identify those activities as one of the central functions of the synagogue together with education and religious worship.
Affiliation with the Conservative Movement
As a progressive, dynamic movement which is also founded in tradition, progressive Conservative Judaism best reflects the principles around which Chevrei Tzedek will be organized. We believe in the continuity of tradition and ritual while at the same time valuing the evolution of Jewish theology to reflect our maturity and our role in a dynamic society.
"It is Conservative Judaism that most directly confronts the challenge to integrate tradition with modernity. By retaining most of the tradition while yet being hospitable to the valuable aspects of modernity, it articulates a vital, meaningful vision of Judaism for our day." From Emet Ve Emunah, a statement of principles developed by the leaders of the Conservative movement.
Professional Leadership
While stressing the importance of an active, involved membership, Chevrei Tzedek also affirms the value in Jewish tradition of professional scholarship. We intend to hire a rabbi who will participate actively with us and teach us.
Chevrei Tzedek will look for a rabbi who will work together with the lay membership thus reaffirming the Jewish ideal that all members can participate in debating and defining religious and ritual guidelines within the general parameters of Halacha. The scholarship of the rabbi will provide the leadership necessary for the lay members to actively participate. In addition, we appreciate the need for a dedicated leader who can guide us through life cycle events and ritual observances.
Services
Chevrei Tzedek is committed to evolving into a synagogue which will serve all the life cycle needs of its members including bar and bat mitzvot, funerals, weddings and daily minyanim. Once fully organized we plan to have services every Shabbat and throughout the Jewish yearly cycle of holidays and events. We hope to have special celebrations for the holidays, as appropriate, in addition to services. Eventually, we would like to have Chevra Kedeshah to serve as a resource for the community.
Egalitarian
Chevrei Tzedek will recognize that women and men are equal partners in their commitment to and exercise of religion. Women will be counted toward a minyan and will participate in all aspects of worship including: davening; leyning and being call up for an aliya. Women who feel that it is appropriate to wear talitot or kipot are encouraged to to so.
Participatory
Just as people are called upon in the Jewish tradition to continue and be partners in the divine work of creation, the organizers of Chevrei Tzedek believe in a community in which all members are dedicated to actively participating in the work of the synagogue. This principle will be effectuated by requiring all members to agree to provide a certain number of hours of service a year in addition to their monetary dues. This service could be as a contributor to services by davening, facilitating Torah discussions, through community activities or charitable activities grounding in Jewish traditions, children's activities, or by assisting in synagogue administration or building maintenance. what is essential is not the type of participation but the commitment to service and to the community.
Education
Talmud Torah, study, is a basic and primary value of Judaism. To study, learn and teach are the obligations and privileges of every Jew because Judaism does not call for blind faith but for meaningful observance. the Jewish tradition of freedom is based on the precept that G-d is best served by the fullest assertion of humankind's faculties and gifts.
Chevrei Tzedek intends to instill a lifelong commitment to education in its members and to integrate education into all aspects of the synagogue. The minimum educational requirements of 6 hours of Hebrew School a week will be upheld. While it is not practical to establish a Hebrew school at this time, we plan to supplement outside schooling with an active, innovative program of education for our children linked with Shabbat, services, and the holidays. The adult members will be participants in this education program thus further teaching their children that education is not a segregated, static piece of one's life, but a dynamic process integrated with community, family and religious activities.
Creativity
Humanity's divinity is rooted in our ability to use our minds for rational, logical thought and to develop and create as an extension for the Divine creation. The abstract or creative are equally important in the realization of a Jewish community. Thus, Chevrei Tzedek wants to encourage the creative in its programming through artwork, music and dance and the incorporation of creative ritual art. In this way we hope to infuse the community with a creative, energetic and dynamic spirit.
