Our family has been enriched by our participation in Shirat HaNefesh (SHN), a new community, in residence since only the middle of last year. Because its two clergy became available to us, we were able to found this place, which is the first thing I might share about SHN...if you're open and interested in having an opportunity to be a part of the ground floor of a forming community (where we are renting space, a plus and minus in itself, but note: no building fees, and no plan for same for a very long time), this is such an opportunity.
A primary reason that did win us over, (it's based in central southern Montgomery County, and we've chosen to travel a part of across town to come there) is the clergy, of which there are two primary. Ramon Tasat is our Hazzan. When I've mentioned him to people on the fringe of Judaism, they've known him well, a musical child prodigy I'm told, and it is in evidence. He leads a choir, who become devoted to him, he partners with our rabbi in leading services, he is an active proponent of sharing a love of Judaism as a way of life, and I've recently had the pleasure of very small group meetings with him to understand the liturgy better, regardless (or consistent with) my own identity as a Jubu.
Our rabbi is Gerry Serotta. Again, sharing about him to a casual friend associated with another congregation, she asked if I meant Gerry, the co- founder of Rabbi's for Human Rights? Another jewel, I've had the pleasure of knowing Gerry for years in one of his former incarnations in the DC area, where his commitment to a) human rights, b) family development, and c) the development of teens has been helpful. As we have torah study, when I can make the time to go before or after Saturday services (easier during the school year, because my 10 year old begins school when adult study begins), I do genuinely experience adult education here, and sense I'm catching up with the background knowledge I really would like to have as an adult Jew. He also recently began to help another community with a Chevra Kadisha effort, and g-d willing, our community will provide a platform for him to be able to continue this work with us, as well.
A last point concerns the first point...but from the inside. As a founding community, I'm being given a chance to get involved in ways that are somewhat uniquely consistent with a community getting on its feet. One can of course come to services or events, only. But, consistent with both my own interests, and my sense of the community's needs, I'm active on our a) Avodah, b) Tikkun Olam, and c) Education committees, with adult education at bay as the newest committee I'm so far only involved via e-mail....speaking of which, an elective list serve is in development, too. In being given the opportunity to make a difference in the community, of course, I have an opportunity to stretch myself, as well. Overall, it's a rich stew, which I'm valuing. read more