Synaplex™

 

 

The Village Temple Joins National Synaplex™ Shabbat Initiative

We are excited to announce that The Village Temple has been selected by UJA-Federation of NY to join 160 other congregations around the US and Canada to participate in a synagogue transformation initiative. This initiative is designed to help synagogues reach out to and serve a changing Jewish population.  Synaplex was created by the STAR foundation with funding from some of the top Jewish foundations in the world, including Bronfman, Shusterman and Steinhardt.

Synaplex Goals
Over the next three years we will experiment with various approaches to prayer, learning and gathering. Our efforts will be guided by certain core beliefs that draw on the results of recent demographic and market research on the Jewish community.

• Jewish identity is created within a community of shared meaning and intimate groups, in which participants engage in high-quality experiences.
• Synagogues should facilitate community building by offering flexible programming to match the diversity of spiritual, cultural and educational interests of congregants and potential congregants.
• Synagogue involvement is a process, and people may first need to experience the value of belonging before they are ready to join in.

Our goal is to make the Temple a gathering place for members and guests alike at least once a month recognizing that no single program will work for everyone. In addition to our Friday night services, we will experiment with other activities on Friday and Saturday. Some will be learning opportunities for adults and children. Some will solely be opportunities for gathering, connecting, having fun, dancing, singing and, of course, eating.

Synaplex at The Village Temple
Some of the Synaplex Shabbat experiences will focus on different cultures and ethnic groups. These Shabbatot will transport us to a different place to experience a taste of what Jewish culture and worship is like in Ethiopia or India or Argentina. Synaplex at VT will also provide opportunities for the whole congregation to focus on a particular social or political issue through films, speakers and facilitated discussions. Another Synaplex Shabbat program will bring you back in time to celebrate Yiddish culture, language and music. Synaplex Friday programs will include special community Shabbat dinners (reservations required) that will reflect the theme of the service. All Synaplex Shabbat experiences will also include family activities, such as Junior Congregation, a participatory worship experience for 8 to 12 year olds, family movies, building Jerusalem out of LEGOS and Havdallah in Pajamas.

We've provided a taste of the first three Synaplex Shabbat programs. More details will be announced soon. Check back soon for updates and a complete Synaplex calendar of events.

Synaplex 1, October 12 & 13
Click here to open flyer with full program details and RSVP form
Ethiopian Shabbat: Ethiopian Music, Blessings, Dinner, Coffee Ceremony, Documentary Film and More.

Synaplex 2, November 2 & 3
Click here to open flyer with full program details
Shabbat Mit a Yiddeshe Tam (Shabbat with a Yiddish Twist): Speakers, Storytelling (Vini-Der-Pu), Film (Grine Felder), Language Learning, Klezmer, Dancing, Dinner and More.

Synaplex 3, Dec 7 & 8
Click here to open flyer with full program details
Lights! Chanukah! Chocolate!: Our third Synaplex features a Chanukah Family Service with the VT Children's Choir, Oneg with latkes and cascades of chocolate, a special chocolate and wine Pairing on Saturday night (adults only), music, holiday songs, chocolate menorah and Magen David making for the kids and more.

Synaplex 4, Jan 11, 2008
Shabbat Argentino: With music and song, you will be transported to Argentina. Guitarist and singer Gerard Edery joins Rabbi Chava Koster, Cantorial Soloist Daniel Leanse and pianist Vladimir Katz in tango-inspired melodies and songs of the Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions. 

Synaplex 5: Feb 1 & 2, 2008
Jews & Jazz  On Friday, experience the beauty of Kurt Weill’s liturgical and popular music as performed by Rabbi Chava Koster, Anita Hollander, Vladimir Katz, and Cantorial Soloist Daniel Leanse as we groove together to the sounds of one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. On Saturday, the VT will be transformed into a Jazz Cabaret, featuring the smooth sounds of our own Vladimir Katz and his quartet.

Synaplex 6, Mar 7 & 8, 2008
Lo-Watt Shabbat: Greening Our Sacred Spaces: Celebrate Shabbat with the TEVA Learning Center, North America's foremost Jewish Environmental Education Institute. TEVA’s engaging educators will speak on Jewish connections to environmental issues. Rabbi Koster and Daniel will lead us in further reflection through music and prayer.

Synaplex 7, Apr 4 & 5, 2008
Indian Shabbat: Celebrate Shabbat Indian-style with our friends from the Indian Jewish Congregation of USA, Reb Drew, the Kirtan Rabbi and our own Rabbi Koster and Daniel Leanse. After services, join us for an Indian Kosher meal and more festivities. Click on the link for full details.

Synaplex 8,  May 2 & 3 2008
Israel Shabbat: Celebrate Israel's 60th birthday at our final Synaplex Shabbat befroe the summer. You'll hear a retrospective of Israeli music, taste authentic Israeli cuisine and experience the joy of Israeli folk dancing (no experience necessary!). Click on the link for full details.

We hope to see you soon at VT's Synaplex Shabbat. For more information contact our Synaplex co-chairs Emily Hacker and Donald Kent or check out the national Synaplex website, http://www.starsynagogue.org

Synaplex™ is an initiative of STAR (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal). Synaplex is made possible by grants from UJA-Federation of New York and STAR.