Jewish Renewal

The term Jewish Renewal refers to a set of practices within Judaism that attempt to reinvigorate Judaism with mystical, Hasidic, musical and meditative practices. In this sense, Jewish renewal is an approach to Judaism that can be found within segments of any of the Jewish denominations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term also refers to what is emerging as a distinct Jewish movement, the Jewish Renewal movement, which calls itself "a worldwide, transdenominational movement grounded in Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions." (From the "About Jewish Renewal" page at http://www.aleph.org.) The movement's primary leader is Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Other prominent leaders, teachers and authors are Rabbis Pam Baugh, David Cooper, Elliot Ginsberg, Lynn Gottlieb, Miles Krassen, Michael Lerner, Goldie Milgram, Marcia Prager, Shohama Wiener, and Arthur Waskow.

Related Topics:
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi - Pam Baugh - David Cooper - Elliot Ginsberg - Lynn Gottlieb - Miles Krassen - Michael Lerner - Goldie Milgram - Marcia Prager - Shohama Wiener - Arthur Waskow

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This Jewish Renewal movement casts Kabbalistic and Hasidic theory and practice within a non-Orthodox, egalitarian framework. This movement incorporates such liberal social phenomena as feminism, environmentalism and pacifism, and adds to traditional worship ecstatic practices such as meditation, chant and dance. In seeking to augment Jewish ritual, Renewal Jews borrow freely and openly from Buddhism, Sufism, Native American religion, and other faiths; this is termed syncretism. Many Jews outside this movement view religious syncretism as outside the bounds of Judaism.

Related Topics:
Kabbalistic - Hasidic - Feminism - Environmentalism - Pacifism - Buddhism - Sufism - Syncretism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~