Over the past
few years, we have seen an
important new phenomenon in
Jewish life: the creation of
dozens of independent minyanim,
spiritual communities,
alternative worship services,
and emergent congregations.
This rich array adds diverse
opportunities for worship,
learning, social justice work,
community-building and
spiritual expression.
We knew very
little about the thousands of
people associated with these
new endeavors. Who are they?
What are their concerns? How do
they feel about the communities
they're creating, joining,
and building? Why do they
participate?
To answer
these questions, the S3K Synagogue
Studies Institute, in
collaboration with Mechon
Hadar, conducted a
survey designed by the
prominent sociologist Steven M.
Cohen in partnership with Rabbi
Elie Kaunfer and Shawn Landres.
Our goal was to find out more
about the participants,
members, partners, and
"acquaintances" of
these new spiritual
communities. The results of
this work is the first ever
portrait of the interests,
values, and concerns of a
critical innovative turn in
American Judaism.
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