FAQs

What is OurJewishCommunity.org?

Why an online congregation?

Who are your rabbis?

When will OurJewishCommunity.org be fully up and running?

What is OurJewishCommunity.org’s relationship to Congregation Beth Adam?

I am part of a group of people in my community who would like to gather together and use your resources. What options are there for us?

What are the Mission, Values, and Vision of Congregation Beth Adam?

What is the philosophy of Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org?

Does the philosophy of Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org deny the existence of God?

Why does the liturgy of Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org not include the term “God” or employ traditional prayers?

Does Congregation Beth Adam read from the Torah?

What are the goals of Religious School education at Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org?


What is OurJewishCommunity.org?

Recognizing the changing needs of the Jewish Community, ourJewishCommunity.org will reach out to progressive Jews throughout the world. OurJewishCommunity.org will provide some of the same services of a brick-and-mortar congregation, such as access to rabbis, sermons, educational materials, social networking, discussions, and more. The benefits of OurJewishCommunity.org are many: It is not restricted to geographic boundaries. It provides a place for people who may not have a progressive synagogue in their local community to which they feel connected. It is convenient – and open 24/7. It appeals to people who use technology on a regular basis. It promotes individual autonomy. It offers the opportunity to be part of building the future of Judaism.

Why an online congregation?

The world is changing. People are constantly on the go, and often live in various cities over their lifetimes. We also use and rely on technology for more and more every day. There can be a Jewish community that complements the way we function in the 21st century. OurJewishCommunity.org will reach out to people who want to adapt Jewish tradition to a contemporary lifestyle.

OurJewishCommunity.org will empower and validate progressive Jews, and it will provide resources for those who seek to be part of an evolving and dynamic Jewish community that celebrates intellectual inquiry. We are reaching out to affiliated and unaffiliated Jews – and to those who have an interest in Judaism. We welcome those who would like to combine what Judaism, humanism, and technology have to offer.

Who are your rabbis?

The Director of OurJewishCommunity.org is Rabbi Laura A. Baum. Rabbi Baum works closely with Rabbi Robert B. Barr, the founding rabbi of Congregation Beth Adam in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both Rabbis Baum and Barr were ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Read more about Rabbi Barr and Rabbi Baum.

When will OurJewishCommunity.org be fully up and running?

That’s a hard question to answer, because OurJewishCommunity.org is very much a work in process. We will be constantly adding materials. For now, we have lots of resources for you to look at. Over the coming months, we will add more opportunities for chat, social networking, resources, educational materials, sermons, and more. We are using a beta model – we will rely on your feedback as we grow. Your ideas will shape the online congregation!

What is OurJewishCommunity.org’s relationship to Congregation Beth Adam?

Congregation Beth Adam is a brick-and-mortar synagogue in Cincinnati, Ohio. The congregation has been in existence for more than 25 years, and now has over 300 members and one of the largest synagogue Sunday Schools in Cincinnati. We are an independent congregation that is not affiliated with any movement. The congregation developed the idea for OurJewishCommunity.org and hired Rabbi Laura Baum to be its rabbi. The Congregation’s unique philosophy will shape the content of OurJewishCommunity.org.

I am part of a group of people in my community who would like to gather together and use your resources. What options are there for us?

One of the goals of the online congregation is to provide resources so that you can use our materials to develop your own humanistic Jewish communities locally. We are already working with groups in various cities (some of which are affiliated with Reform congregations and some of which are unaffiliated), and we would like to be a resource for your group as well. Please contact Rabbi Baum for more information.

What are the Mission, Values, and Vision of Congregation Beth Adam?

Mission: Congregation Beth Adam is a unique community integrating Jewish tradition and humanistic principles.

Vision: Congregation Beth Adam is a spiritual home, a meaningful voice, and a humanistic resource for people worldwide, seeking a contemporary Jewish identity and experience.

Core Values:

  • We value humanistic principles of responsibility and origin of authority that rests with each individual
  • We value learning opportunities that support members’ connection with their Jewish heritage.
  • We value open-mindedness and respect for differing views
  • We value discerning intellectual inquiry that thoughtfully questions and explores Jewish text and other sources of wisdom
  • We value acknowledgement of each congregant’s religious and spiritual journey supported through our unique liturgy
  • We value evolving to meet the needs of our growing congregation and a changing Jewish community
  • We value nurturing connection and building community with each other as Jews and with all humanity
  • We value community engagement and social justice that is responsive to the ever-changing world

What is the philosophy of Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org?

Judaism is the ever-unfolding experience of our people. It has changed, evolved, grown, reflecting the people and what they valued throughout the centuries. Each generation adds its own unique chapter to this expanding experience. Drawing from the best of our past, we too add our most sincere and thoughtful contribution to the Jewish experience. This is our hope and challenge as a congregation within the People of Israel.

Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org give expression to the religious and spiritual quests of their members through liturgy and educational materials which affirm the responsibilities and limits of human beings and our essential role in the universe. We accept the constancy of the laws of nature, act with the belief that it is the right and responsibility of each individual to control his/her own destiny, and recognize that the ultimate authority for what a person does rests with that individual.

As a congregation we focus upon that which draws us together, the opportunity to give expression to our Jewish identity in a manner consistent with our religious philosophy. The congregation, out of respect for the individual, does not seek to impose a concept of God, does not seek to reach agreement regarding such a concept, nor does the congregation assume that one must employ the term “God” to give expression to one’s deeply held religious beliefs. Within this context, each member may develop his/her own concept of God.

It is our vision that this philosophic/theological position will continue to serve as the foundation for our activities. While continuing to embrace this system of thought, we will continue to explore the essential religious questions. Our system of belief should not limit us in our religious quest, but rather provide the framework for further growth.

Does the philosophy of Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org deny the existence of God?

The philosophy of Congregation Beth Adam does not deny the existence of God. Out of respect for the individual, the congregation does not seek to impose a concept of God, does not seek to reach agreement regarding such a concept, nor does the congregation assume that one must employ the term “God” to give expression to one’s deeply held religious beliefs. Rather than demand adherence to any definition of God, the Congregation has adopted an approach which allows the individual to develop his/her own understanding of this complex religious concept. Therefore our Constitution, Position Papers, Educational Materials, and Liturgy are written to embrace a diversity of theological beliefs.
Beth Adam’s God concept

Why does the liturgy of Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org not include the term “God” or employ traditional prayers?

As part of the congregation’s effort to create an environment which allows for individual expression of deeply held religious beliefs, we have chosen to employ language which we view as expansive and inclusive. Our liturgy is created by and is written for individuals who do not presume a God who intervenes or manipulates the affairs of this world. Therefore, traditional prayers which hold such a world view are inconsistent with our philosophy. The challenge for our Ritual/Life Cycle Committee is to articulate our shared vision while providing opportunity for individuals to infuse the liturgy with their personal understanding of the nature of the universe.

Congregation Beth Adam has written its own liturgy which has attained international recognition. Included in the collection are two Shabbat services, a compilation of Home Services (including Shabbat, Hanukkah, Havdalah, and a home dedication ceremony), a Passover Haggadah, Benediction for Life (A pocket-sized collection of readings appropriate for memorial services), and Beyond the Silence (A pocket-sized collection of readings appropriate during times of crisis). To read more about our liturgy, click here. To purchase our liturgy, visit our store.

Does Congregation Beth Adam read from the Torah?

Yes, Congregation Beth Adam is very proud of the 150-year-old Czechoslovakian Torah Scroll it received on permanent loan in May of 1984. We read from the Torah on the High Holidays and Shabbat. Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are required to read from the Torah as well as present a research paper to the congregation. On the High Holidays, the rabbis read a Torah portion which fits the theme of the service and read it in Hebrew with English translation and commentary. To hear some of those Torah readings, click here.

What are the goals of Religious School education at Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org?

  • Provide a basic knowledge of Jewish history, life cycle events, and holidays
  • Provide an understanding of Jewish values and ethics, theology, and the Jewish relationship to Israel
  • Instill a positive, liberal Jewish identity and a sense of pride in one’s self, in one’s congregation, and in the Jewish community
  • Promote family education and opportunities to learn together through Adult Education and Family Education programming and materials
  • Identify the English, Hebrew, and Yiddish words and sayings that inform the Jewish subjects taught in class
  • Incorporate and reinforce key Jewish values throughout the curriculum
  • Recognize the practical application of these teachings as consistent with religion’s role in helping people function in society
  • Recognize the value of scientific thinking and reason in learning about the Jewish and human experience
  • Identify the skills and knowledge learned in class that can be applied outside class
  • Define the rights and responsibilities of students and teachers—such as attendance and conduct—that affect the learning environment
  • Promote a humanistic, personal responsibility approach to problem-solving and growth experiences
  • Use age-appropriate perspectives for the Religious School curriculum
  • Provide parents with explanations, information, and the plans of the Religious School to meet its goals