Synaplex ™
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The Village Temple Joins National Synaplex Shabbat Initiative
In 2007, The Village Temple was selected by UJA-Federation of NY to join 160 other congregations around the US and Canada to participate in a synagogue transformation initiative. This initiative is designed to help synagogues reach out to and serve a changing Jewish population. Synaplex was created by the STAR foundation with funding from some of the top Jewish foundations in the world, including Bronfman, Shusterman and Steinhardt.
Read what Reform Judaism Magazine has to say about VT's Synaplex Shabbat services!
Synaplex Goals
Over the next three years we will experiment with various approaches to prayer, learning and gathering. Our efforts will be guided by certain core beliefs that draw on the results of recent demographic and market research on the Jewish community.
- Jewish identity is created within a community of shared meaning and intimate groups, in which participants engage in high-quality experiences.
- Synagogues should facilitate community building by offering flexible programming to match the diversity of spiritual, cultural and educational interests of congregants and potential congregants.
- Synagogue involvement is a process, and people may first need to experience the value of belonging before they are ready to join in.
Our goal is to make the Temple a center of worship, community building and learning for members and guests alike by offering innovative programming at the monthly Synaplex Shabbat service. In addition to our Friday night services, we experiment with other activities on Fridays and Saturdays. Some are learning opportunities for adults and children. Some are opportunities for gathering, connecting, having fun, dancing, singing and, of course, eating.
Synaplex at The Village Temple, 2009 - 2010
In year three, we again focus some of the Synaplex Shabbat experiences on different cultures and ethnic groups, including Jews of Greece, Italy and Iraq. Closer to home, we will learn about and celebrate the American Reform Jewish Movement and the New York Jewish Experience. And, for a third time, we are bringing back our popular Kurt Weill/Jazz Shabbat Service. Synaplex Friday programs include community Shabbat dinners or special Onegs that reflect the theme of the service. All Synaplex Shabbat experiences include family and youth activities, such as Junior Congregation, for 8 to 12 year olds, and Shabbat KinderCare for 3 to 7 year olds.
We hope to see you soon at VT's Synaplex Shabbat.
Friday, October 2: American Jewish Reform Movement Synaplex Shabbat
Friday, November 6: Jews of Italy Synaplex Shabbat
Friday, December 4: Jews of Greece Synaplex Shabbat
Friday, February 5, 2010: Jazz/Kurt Weill Synaplex Shabbat
Friday, March 5, 2010: From Baghdad to Calcutta Synaplex Shabbat
Friday, May 7, 2010: New York Jewish Experience Synaplex Shabbat
Synaplex™ is an initiative of STAR (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal) and is a philanthropic partnership of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, and The Samuel Bronfman Foundation. Synaplex is made possible by grants from UJA-Federation of New York and STAR.
