About Yad b'Yad
This year, the Congregation Bet Haverim Board of Directors has adopted the theme of Yad b'Yad (Hand in Hand) as a symbol of increasing our capacity to work together for the good of our community. No matter what our differences, we are committed to go "hand in hand" in creating a common future. Currently, we have begun to explore how to deepen our existing culture of respect, caring and collaboration in partnership with the congregation as a whole.
A Jewish community like ours is continually challenged to strike a balance between exclusively Jewish concerns and concerns of a more global nature. A newly-formed subcommittee, called the Opening Dialogue Work Group and composed of members of the Social Action Committee, representatives from the Board, and other interested congregation members started the process by debating what role CBH ought to play in addressing political and social justice issues.
To further the goals of Yad b'Yad, The Opening Dialogue Work Group initiated a series of three inter-related forums to discuss the role that CBH should play in grappling with, and expressing a Jewish response to, the range of issues that challenge us and our society. While each forum is designed to be free-standing, congregation members are highly encouraged to attend as many as possible, as they are intended to build upon each other. Refreshments and child care are provided.
^ TOPForums at CBH
The first forum, titled "Promoting Dialogue" was held on Sunday, January 21, 2007, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the CBH Social Hall.
This forum was facilitated by John Vohs, U.C. Davis Rhetoric professor and lecturer. The purpose of this forum was to help participants develop tools and strategies for engaging in dialogue about potentially divisive issues. Participants received training in "deep listening" to develop skills in articulating their positions, while listening to and understanding the different perspectives of others. Forum participants emerged with skills that now allow them to assess their own listening abilities, and begin to make desired changes. The underlying purpose was to build capacity for dialogue, leading to an understanding that CBH is not a congregation of like minds, but that members of CBH should and can be civil-minded toward each other when they disagree.
The second forum was held on Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
This forum looked at four different perspectives on the interplay between social justice/political action and Jewish identity. The purpose of "Four Perspectives" was to better understand the range of viewpoints held among congregants, and to gain an appreciation for our differences and similarities. The forum featured a panel of four current members of CBH who hold different beliefs on the ideal role of political advocacy within our congregation. The panelists included:
| Jerry Adler | The Political Activist:
actively engaged in social action/political activities, but not
concerned with using Jewish community/ institutions as a
political forum. Doesn't connect Jewish identity these
activities. |
| Alan Brownstein | The Jewish Activist:
sees own Jewish identity and social action/political activism as
inseparable. Seeks the commonality of Jewish
community/institutions as base for political/social action work. |
| Candace Naliboff | The Moderate: has
political views/social action interests, but these are not
essential elements of their lives or Jewish identities. Open to
some social action/political activity within their Jewish
community/institutions, but not a high priority. |
| Esther Novak | The Community Preserver:
believes Jews should express and act on political beliefs in
other organizations (including other Jewish organizations); sees
the synagogue as a place for Jewish community to assemble for
prayer, ritual, spiritual, cultural, educational and social
activities, and believes that political activity in the
synagogue is divisive for the community. |
Report on the Formation of the "In Good Faith" Dialogue Group
In response to the recommendations laid out by John Vohs, the presenter
at the first forum, members of the Opening Dialogue Working Group put
forward a recommendation to the CBH Board to create a dialogue group,
composed of 6-7 congregation members, charged with 'recommending a
process that can be established in the congregation that allows and even
promotes constructive dialogue about important issues facing the
congregation.'
At the February 8th CBH Board Meeting, board members approved a
recommendation from the Opening Dialogue Working Group to appoint a
three-person Dialogue Group Nomination Committee. The Nomination
Committee composed of Norma Rappaport, Mark Simon and Jeff Steele was
tasked with assembling a group of 6-7 dialogue participants as well as a
suggested group moderator. At the March 8th Board Meeting, the
Nomination Group proposed a Dialogue Group to be moderated by CBH member
and organizational consultant, Steve Ekstrom, and composed of CBH
members Dan Abramson, Hannah Biberstein, Rochelle Frank, Sarah Pattison,
David Siegel, and Al Sokolow. The Board voted to carryout the
recommendations. The group, initially called the "In Good Faith Dialogue
Group," will begin weekly meetings in April. The process is intended to
be transparent; the meetings are not open to the public, but CBH members
are welcome to share their views with members of the IGF Dialogue Group
to ensure that the ongoing dialogue fully represents all viewpoints held
within the congregation.
May 2007 Dialogue Report
The Opening Dialogue Working Group held the third and final CBH forum,
Seeking Common Ground, on May 3rd, 2007. Approximately 60 people
attended. Small discussions were held among seven table groups. Those
present discussed the following questions:
1. What is your vision
for our congregation?
2. What lies outside your vision, outside your
boundaries?
3. What should we do when we disagree on our visions?
Notes from each group were transcribed and are available electronically
for CBH members from Mark Simon via email:
msimon@omsoft.com. The In Good
Faith Dialogue Group has met three times. During their first meeting,
the group decided to change the original core question into the
following two questions:
1. What should CBH policy be regarding programming about Israel?
2. What are some lessons we've learned that could be applied to other
controversial issues?
The group is moderated by CBH member and
organizational consultant Steve Ekstrom, and composed of CBH members Dan
Abramson, Hannah Biberstein, Rochelle Frank, Sarah Pattison, David
Siegel, and Al Sokolow. CBH members should feel welcome to share their
views with the Dialogue group members.
Get More Information
The Opening Dialogue Work Group is looking forward to your continued participation in the fourm series, and further engaging in congregational life with each member "Yad b'Yad." For more information about the forums, work group or the concepts involved, please contact Shoshana Zatz at (530) 758-4165 or szatz@rcac.org.