Shabbat at Congregation Temple Beth’El
Shabbat at Congregation Temple Beth’El was a fascinating and exciting experience. Their rabbi and congregation welcomed us eagerly into their sanctuary, their homes and their hearts.
The services were a fascinating meld of African American culture and Jewish liturgy. Any regular at Tikvat Israel would have no difficulty recognizing the services, which followed the typical Friday evening and Shabbat morning liturgy. Most of the prayers are said in English, not Hebrew. Where the word Lord appears in a prayer,, they say “HaShem,” and when the word God appears, they say El, or Elohim.
Still, their services differ considerably from ours in many ways. TBE has a charismatic rabbi (Debra Bowen) who preached, sang, and danced with congregants when we removed the Torah from the Ark and marched it through the sanctuary. Services featured a piano, organ, drums and a trumpet. Congregants interjected “Amen” and “Halleluyah” throughout the service with fervor and commitment. They “passed the plate” to take up an offering.
OK, all this sounds jarring, and, to an extent, it was. But also quite understandable.
The use of musical instruments, for example – “foreign” to us, certainly; but consider Psalm 150:
Halleluyah! Praise God in His sanctuary; …
Praise Him with trumpet calls;
With harp and lyre praise him!Praise him with timbrel and dance;
With strings and flute praise Him!
Praise him with resounding cymbals;
With clashing cymbals praise Him! …
… which is what they do at TBE.
What about passing the plate? – This is certainly a known practice in the African American community. (Incidentally, TBE members don’t pay dues; and, Rabbi Bowen told us proudly, they carry no debt whatsoever.) Does handling money on Shabbat comply with Halachah? No. But it is not without a basis in the Torah, which instructs the Israelites to bring “offerings” to God. And as their rabbi points out, making a contribution when they pass the plate is the only time congregants handle money on Shabbat, because they stay in synagogue until Shabbat ends.
Is it the Judaism that I’m used to? No. Is it Judaism? — By any logical, rational definition: absolutely – organic, natural, home-grown, self-taught Judaism, to which they are firmly and deeply committed, a commitment which is inspiring — particularly when you consider that they’ve apparently had little help, and a lot of snubs, from many local and national Jewish institutions.
I hope to go back in January to spend another Shabbat with them.
Cliff Fishman
Tags: African-American, Judaism, torah
December 6th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
this entry was originally posted by Cliff as a comment on Mark Lautman’s post, but I asked Cliff if I could promote it to it’s own entry, since it really is an independent observation. The formatting edits are mine - I hope Cliff agrees with them!
December 7th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I am a member of Congregation Temple Beth’El in Philadelphia. The joint service was a great experience. We are glad that Tikvah Israel & Congregation Temple Beth’El Delaware were able to join us in our Shabbat worship. One of the most important points to take away from the service is that although our worship may be slightly different we believe and serve the same G-D. We are compassionate about who we are and how we worship. Yes. It is an emotional worship. But we were created with emotions. For many of Temple Beth’El members Shabbat is considered the highlight of our week. It is the time that we extend our personal worship, to the place where Hashem has prepared for us, and we are blessed to be able to worship with our family. We hope that you felt welcomed and will share your experience with others. Shalom!
December 18th, 2007 at 2:03 am
It sounds like a lovely place, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to go, and hope to in the future, although I do wonder whether since they are in shul until the end of shabbat, they could just as easily pass the plate after havdalah - and thus avoid handling money on shabbat….
June 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Shalom Everyone!!! I am too a young member of Congregation Temple Beth’El. First and formost I want make it clear that having Tikvat Israel as guess at our shul was an extraordinary experience. Eventhough there was guess at our shul we were able to show different people from different ethnics and backgrounds how we worship at C.T.B. Be certain that if you don’t know how to worship Elohim with your whole heart, be sure you will know how when you come to Congregation Temple Beth’ El. Peace & Blessings to all!!!!!!