 |
|
            |
RITES AND
PRACTICES POLICY 1 On the 4th September 2003 the PJCEA Council adopted a rights and practices policy which seeks to formalise the position of the Community concerning
2 The purpose of the policy is to formalise the practices which have developed since our foundation and to ensure that those practices are appropriate to Jewish tradition and to our Liberal principles. It is guided by our status as a constituent member of the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues and the movement for Liberal Judaism, and pays due regard to Liberal Judaism’s inclusive approach to outreach SERVICES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES Being Called Up For An Aliyah 3 It is our custom that only persons of Jewish status should take part in lighting candles in the synagogue on Erev Shabbat. Similarly, only persons of Jewish status should take part in those activities associated with the reading of the Torah, namely
4 There is no bar on non-Jews reading from the Bimah during other parts of a service or ceremony. Similarly, there is no bar on non-Jews processing the Torah scroll at Simchat Torah 5 Non-Jewish family members and friends are welcome to participate in life cycle events, eg in a Baby Blessing ceremony, or in a Bar/Bat Mitzvah following the Torah reading MUTUAL COMMITMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY The Membership Category of Friend 6 The category of Friend was established to allow two types of individual to participate in our activities. The first is the non-Jew who has no interest in conversion but does have an interest in Judaism and wishes to be associated with the PJCEA, perhaps to increase their knowledge or experience, to support us, or to support a Jewish spouse, partner, family member or friend. The second is the non-Jew who wishes to undertake conversion. 7 Anyone wishing to become a Friend of the PJCEA would be expected to discuss the position with the Membership Secretary who will make an appropriate recommendation to the Council. Prospective Converts 8 An individual who wishes to undertake conversion will be expected to discuss this with the Membership Secretary who will give general advice as to the requirements and process of conversion. The Membership Secretary will then bring the individual’s application to become a Friend to the Council and will also refer the applicant to the Rabbi for in-depth discussion of conversion. From that point the Council will take the recommendation of the Rabbi as to suitability and requirements for that individual to convert 9 The PJCEA recognises that every individual is likely to have a different route to conversion and the timetable will therefore differ accordingly. It will depend very much on how much knowledge, experience and participation in Jewish life the candidate has had, as well as on the pace of progress the individual wishes to take 10 In general we would expect the involvement in the Community to take at least six months so that the candidate can be sure that s/he wishes to commit to the conversion process. Once committed it will take a minimum of twelve months so that the candidate can experience a full cycle of events (services, festivals etc) as a framework for his or her Jewish education. If attendance is limited for any reason it will likely take longer. At all stages in the process the Council will seek the advice of the Rabbi who will be in regular contact with the proselyte 11 The proselyte should understand that there will be some activities which involve only people of Jewish status and will therefore not be open to them until after the conversion is completed (see "Being Called Up For An Aliyah", above) Status of Children of Proselytes 12 Prospective converts will also be made aware of the Jewish status of children according to the principles of Liberal Judaism 13 The PJCEA subscribes to the principle that it should be open and welcoming to non-Jewish children or spouses, since their support is thought to be important to the proselyte as well as instrumental in their own attitude towards Liberal Judaism in the future. We see it as in the interests of Liberal Judaism as a whole that the child of a proselyte who does not have Jewish status (eg the child of a single parent or where the other parent is not Jewish) should be afforded facilities to learn about Judaism and to become fully integrated into the Community so long as both the child and the parent(s) wish it. This will not necessarily be with a view to becoming Jewish and no such commitment should be expected with regard to a child. It is so that the child shall be aware of the Jewish side of its heritage so that, when and if the time comes when s/he may consider conversion, s/he will be making a choice from a balanced background of information and with the positive experience of a Liberal Jewish community 14 The PJCEA Council, in consultation with the Rabbi, shall therefore consider favourably any application for a non-Jewish child of a proselyte to attend religion school. Having joined the religion school, there shall be no bar to the child’s participation in any of its activities 15 Under certain circumstances the child of a non-Jewish Friend may have Jewish status. The PJCEA will afford that child and its parent every support if it is their wish that the child should have a Liberal Jewish education Bar/Bat Mitvah and Kabbalat Torah 16 Bar/Bat Mitzvah is traditionally celebrated at age 13. Progressive Judaism has instituted Kabbalat Torah as a mid-teen event so that young people can bring greater maturity to their initiation. The PJCEA is happy for a young member to undertake either or both 17 The PJCEA takes the view that these ceremonies are not isolated events but are the culmination of a period of study and involvement of both the youngster and the family in Jewish life and the life of the community. They are also the starting point for a commitment to Jewish life and, we hope, also the wider Jewish community. So, while the PJCEA will offer the candidate every support, it will not be prepared to undertake these ceremonies without an appropriate commitment from the candidate and the family. The candidate and his or her family should meet with a member of the Council (generally the Chair of the Rites and Practices Committee or other appropriate person) to ensure that the commitments are understood. The PJCEA very much wishes to be positive and welcoming and to give the candidate every possible support in his or her decision to commit to Judaism, its religion, community and way of life. We encourage both the candidate and his or her family in their participation in our activities and hope it will be a rewarding experience 18 In practical terms the PJCEA expects the candidate to attend religion school regularly and to attend festival celebrations, High Holy Days and other services for at least a year before the ceremony. Family member(s) must be fully paid up members of our community 19 The candidate and the family should also be aware that because of the PJCEA’s circumstances teaching and contact with the Rabbi will of necessity be rather limited. This will mean that help from the family, if possible, will be essential both for the candidate’s general Jewish education and for the preparation of the Torah reading. As far as possible the PJCEA will offer help and support 20 The Rabbi will discuss with the Council any requests received for Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Kabbalat Torah ceremonies whether they be from members or non-members. The assessment of whether the candidate is ready to proceed with the ceremony will lie with the Rabbi, who will coordinate with Council and dates mutually agreed 21 The PJCEA Council recognises that much of the above will not apply in the case of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah undertaken in later life. All such cases will be dealt with positively and on their merits |
