Or Emet
Or Emet is a Humanistic Jewish congregation in Minneapolis – Saint Paul, Minnesota associated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism. It is a community of cultural Jews, secular Jews, Jewish humanists, and other humanists united by a commitment to humanism and by respect and support for Jewish culture, traditions, values, and Jewish identity. Or Emet embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines rational thinking and scientific inquiry with the celebration of Jewish culture, traditions, values, and identity. Or Emet focuses especially on ethics and social justice -- tikkun olam-- in keeping both with Jewish tradition and the tenets of humanism.
The name "Or Emet" means "Light of Truth" in Hebrew. It was chosen as the name for the congregation because it reflects the tradition of enlightened inquiry in Jewish thought that dates back to the debates of the ancient Talmudic scholars. It also reflects the flowering since the Enlightenment of secular science and logical reason as new Truth-seeking tools. These took hold in the Jewish community and began to transform it into a new culture of secular Jews ("Haskalah", or Jewish Enlightenment), personified by such major thinkers as Baruch Spinoza and Moses Mendelssohn. Consonant with this background, Or Emet states that it is a "learning community" committed to study and inquiry. This is reflected in its many adult education and speakers' programs in the course of the year.
The congregation was founded in 1986 in Minneapolis by Dr. Harold Londer and Larry Garvin. Or Emet runs two regular events a month that focus on celebrating Jewish culture and affirming Jewish identity with rituals cast in humanistic terms. A monthly Friday evening humanistic Shabbat service is held at 7:15 PM at the Minneapolis Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park, MN, followed by a brief speakers program. A Sunday Jewish cultural school for children -- with a parallel speaker's program for adults -- is held monthly at Talmud Torah of St. Paul School <ttsp.org>. Or Emet also holds annual High Holidays services (currently held at the Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park, MN), an annual Passover Seder (currently held at the First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis), and an Annual Hanukkah celebration (currently held at the Wellstone Community Center in St. Paul, MN).
Or Emet co-founder Dr. Harold Londer was ordained as a Madrikh, or spiritual leader, by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism in 2007. Our Madrikh has all of the powers of a rabbi and oversees ritual celebrations for the group, although other members also share in conducting services. Dr. Londer also conducts life-cycle ceremonies such as baby namings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and funerals. Richard Logan, PhD, a retired professor of human development, is the current president of the congregation. Prof. Liza Finestack of the University of Minnesota is the current vice president, and Sharon Miller is the current treasurer.[1] Or Emet is managed by an Executive Committee with five members: The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and two members elected at-large. In addition, Or Emet has a "Leadership Team", made up of the Executive Committee, the heads of all of the major committees, the other area directors (school, newsletter, press releases), and a few at-large members chosen from among senior members. The Leadership Team meets a few times a year to allow exchange of information across the various areas of the organization and to set overall goals and policies. It also functions as an Advisory Board to the Executive Committee. INSERT SHJ JOURNAL REF.
The Jewish Cultural School for children runs one Sunday morning each month, where students learn about Jewish history, traditions, and secular philosophies.[2] The school takes a secular approach and teaches history and culture chronologically and in age-appropriate ways to Preschoolers ("Littles"), Early Elementary ("Middles"), and Later Elementary ("Juniors"). Historically and culturally significant content is introduced at the Littles level via pictures, songs, and stories; it is then reprised at a somewhat more advanced level (with more reading for example) at the Middles level, and then at an even more advanced level with Juniors who begin to discuss ethics and values involved in stories from history. These children also begin to go through Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation. Teens get involved in practicing the central value of tikkun olam and engage in more community-service activities and other projects they choose themselves. In Fall, 2012, basic Beginning Hebrew and Jewish Music were added to the curriculum for the three younger age groups.
In 2014, the organization had a membership of 60 households (families, couples or individuals). Events such as High Holiday services and the Passover Seder and annual Hanukkah party can attract 150 or more people.[3]
In addition to the Society for Humanistic Judaism, Or Emet belongs to the Jewish Outreach Institute/Big Tent Judaism, and the Minnesota Council for Non-Profits, and has ties to other Jewish, humanist, and non-theist groups.
References
- ↑ Bob Gilbert (2006-09-20). "A temple for all beliefs". Villager.
- ↑ Tamar Fenton (2008-03-28). "Judaism minus God". The American Jewish World.
- ↑ Erin Elliott Bryan (2010-02-03). "Humanistic Judaism leader to speak at Or Emet". The American Jewish World.