R Ratcliff Field Notes 1
R Ratcliff Field Notes 1
R Ratcliff Field Notes 1
6 February 2016
Temple Emek Shalom
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
1800 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon
Shabbat Simcha
9:50 am 12:23pm
Temple Emek Shalom was the site I selected for my first field
visit. I have always been fascinated by the tradition of Jewish
communities. When I was young my parents traveled to Israel to study,
learn, and tour the places of the sacred texts of the old and new
testaments. I remember being so excited for them to have the
opportunity to walk in the places where the greats of the gospels
spoke or walked long ago. My mother and father visited Jerusalem,
Damascus, and Bethlehem, they entered synagogues, and they floated
in the Dead Sea. I felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world when they
brought, from the temple, a cup and a rock home for me. They gave
me a necklace with my name engraved in Hebrew. I wore that necklace
all the time, not because it was the most beautiful necklace, nor was it
a remarkable gift. I treasured that necklace, the cup, and those stones
because they brought to life many of my beliefs. These three pieces
signified a land far away that still exists, a tradition that still persists.
On so many occasions traditions seem to become culturally strange,
irrelevant, or outdated; but the gifts from my parents reminded me
that a culture so far away in distance and in context still has the same
relevance today. There is power in this tradition and there is something
very beautiful about the remembrance of it, which brings power and
life to a belief. Aside from very few and brief conversations with my
peers and some Jewish friends, these three objects hold my connection
with Judaism. I had reviewed modern and ancient Jewish beliefs during
high school, but this site visit was to be my first true and pure
experience among a Jewish congregation. For all of these reasons, out
of curiosity and fascination, I chose to visit Temple Emek Shalom.
I was very nervous, but the good kind of nervous, the excited
kind of nervous. I wasnt sure what to wear, if I could take notes, how
long the service would be, so after conducting a little informal research
(googling) I made my plan. I wanted to have a pure experience and not
to be distracted by any peers, so I decided to go by myself. I had the
date, the time, now all I needed to do was drive.
START
February 6th | 9:50am
I almost pulled in to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, but with a little help from my gps I arrived at my destination:
Temple Emek Shalom. The building reminded me much of church
buildings I have spent countless hours in before. From the outside I
couldnt see anything too fancy, but it was warm and inviting with an
outdoor foyer and ample signs. I pulled into the lot, much more
nervous than I should have been. I thought to myself and tried to come
up with a plan for what to do once I entered the doors. I found a
parking spot, which wasnt difficult because the lot was seemingly
empty. I could see only two or three other cars. I began to wonder to
myself whether or not I had the right time. I was hoping that I wasnt
about to barge in on a small group prayer as an intruder. Luckily, a
woman in a silver car pulled into the parking lot right behind me. I
decided for three reasons:
First, I was too nervous to get out
Second, I wanted to be sure that what I was wearing would be
respectful enough compared to her dress
Lastly, I simply didnt know where to go
that I would wait in my car to follow her lead. She seemed a bit
frazzled, but eventually got out of her car. I watched where she went
and decided to do the same. My plan was to go in the doors, meet the
greeters, and have a quick look around before the service began. My
plan, however, was completely thrown out the window when I couldnt
even seem to get the door open. Evidently only one of the many doors
is actually unlocked. One kind gentleman, who I would later learn was
also a guest that day, opened the door for me. I spoke with him only
briefly as I was ushered inside. I looked around and read from the
many various bulletins, posters, and informational publications the
temple had strewn about. The large majority of the information is
concerning social activism and community events. I take a peek
through the window to the beautiful library. I said good morning to the
friendly faces that made eye contact with me. Many said Shabbat
Shalom to me, but I did not feel entirely comfortable in my reply. I did
not want to pretend as if I was anything more than a guest, a visitor. I
did not want to intrude so I continued on with friendly good morning
and hellos. The main room was small but welcoming. There were less
than twenty people inside. I could smell food and could hear bustling in
the kitchen, which I discovered to my right. Women of all ages seemed
to be moving in and out of the kitchen preparing cups of grape juice
and cups of wine. A long table was set out in the hallway. I didnt think
anything of it at the time. I began to feel very out of place and
uncomfortable again as congregation members retreated to their
conversations after greeting and welcoming me. I picked up a few
informational publications to read and decided to find a seat. I walked
over to the meeting room only to find that it was entirely empty. It was
a medium sized room. It had large, beautiful stained glass windows on
either side of the stage reaching what seemed to be the entire height
of the building. The sun was shining beautifully through the blue glass
onto what I fondly call church chairs. I am very familiar with this type
of chair. I have sat in that kind of chair for a large majority of my life.
The buildings, the congregations, the locations and even, in this case,
the religion may not be the same, but the chairs, those church chairs
are always there. It was a soothing kind of familiarity. Other than the
chairs, the altar, and a few bookcases the meeting room was mostly
empty and bare.
Instead of sitting and waiting there all by myself, I decided, as is
practice of all good researchers, to attempt in finding a restroom. On
my way to the restroom, however, I was stopped by a two elderly
women and what appeared to me as their husbands. One woman
looked at me, smiled, and said, you found us. At this moment I
realized just how out of place I must look and seem. A young girl by
herself just wandering about the temple reading everything she
possibly can. I replied warmly however, and she was most pleased to
engage. We talked a bit about where I am from, what I am doing, why I
decided to visit. Her husband and I spoke a bit about religious
backgrounds and classes we had taken, what he described as being
ages ago. The other smaller woman (I think this should also be
noted, that among being the youngest, I may have been one of the
tallest persons there) showed a gleam in her eye as we talked about
how I am excited to learn about and experience the customs of other
religious congregations. I told them a little bit about my interest in
Judaism. They asked what other religions we might look into, and we
talked about how many more religious pathways there are now to
study and observe compared to back in my generation. It truly began
to feel like I was speaking with loving, passionate, and wise
grandparents. They were warm, welcoming and seemed to have a
great joy and aspiration for the day. We continued on when the smaller
woman said, if one thing is certain, god is big. This was a beautiful
thought, and not necessarily a thought I expected. In all of my
knowledge of ancient synagogues, or priests, Levites, Rabbis,
Pharisees, and Sadducees I never expected such a loving, open, and
beautiful remark. Where I expected resistance, judgment, and disdain
in a real life experience, in the field, with real people I learned of a
much more human story. Just as the cup, stone, and necklace revealed
how religion comes from a real world, this small little womans words
revealed how religion occurs with real people. We all chuckled, her
husband replied, and expanding and her friend resonated, like the
universe. The conversation continued on but began to trickle out.
Not knowing how much time I had left until the service began I
abandoned my restroom mission and made my way to the meeting
room, which now had four people inside. I chose a seat and began to
look around for a copy of the Torah. In my long experience with
churches, there are always copies of scripture to lend. I made my way
to the bookshelves in the back of the room, smiling at friendly faces
along the way. A couple greeted me in Hebrew, then again in English
likely as a result of the confusion so apparent on my face. At the
bookshelf I began to attempt to figure out exactly what I was looking
at. I have never held a copy of the Torah before. I found prayer books. I
picked one up and started to open it when one of the gentlemen from
before looked at me and chuckled. He stepped toward me and
reminded me that Hebrew is read from right to left and how I was
holding the book upside down. From then he also helped me find a
transliteration packet. This packet although he said it still seemed like
gibberish to him, could help me participate and follow along in the
mornings prayers. Another woman came beside me and told me she
would also be using the transliteration if I needed any help. Feeling
nervous, a little embarrassed, but also fully welcome I made my way
back to my seat. The meeting room began to fill up. People took their
places. At this point I was still the youngest in the room. I also seemed
to be one of the only individuals in the room. The majority of folks
came in pairs. There was one little girl who came in at that time and
sat down with two adults. The Rabbi came to her, welcomed her by
name, and told her that if at any point she gets too bored she is
welcome to go lend a hand in the nursery. I see Selene come in and
invite her to come sit with me if shed like.
The congregation is largely dressed in business casual style
attire. The two toddlers I have seen are dressed just as my cousin
would dress, tutu and all. There are approximately forty members
present. They are all later in age. There seems to be an equal
distribution of men to women, and responsibilities seem to be equally
shared.
Everyone began to settle in, little conversations continued to
happen among members. The Rabbi called the congregation together
through a chant. Without reservation all members of the congregation
began to join in, loudly, in unison, and with clapping and smiles on
their faces. Even without being able to understand the meaning of the
words they say I too feel called to a centered focus. The men are all
wearing Kippahs and the majority of them also wear their tallit. The
men of the congregation who do not have a tallit find their way to the
rack in the back of the meeting room where there is a rack of them
hanging. After the chant is complete everyone gathers, seated and the
Rabbi welcomes us all. He begins to speak briefly about the Torah
study conducted earlier that morning and begins to guide the
congregation in finding a place for prayer. He discusses the purpose of
this mornings Shabbat as a celebration.
The Rabbi leads the congregation in another prayer. Selene and I
both find the prayers in our texts and follow along. I am somewhat
taken aback. I knew that I was entering into another religious
congregation, but didnt expect there to be quite so much Hebrew. It is
fascinating and beautiful. I wish that I could understand what was
being said without having to look into the translated book in order to
more fully take it in. After the welcoming prayers the Rabbi makes
comments about using the English, the Hebrew, and praying in your
own path. He speaks about how each individual is on his/her journey
and that through the mumblings he/she is guided and brought
together. He alludes that their prayers need not be in perfect unison
but should be in a collection of cacophony as they gather together to
seek their path and pray their prayers. The Rabbi encourages the
congregation in the building of a holy community. He even makes
mention of Robert Bellah. Thinking back to my days in church, I dont
believe I have ever heard a sociologist quoted. The Rabbi says that the
building of this holy society is why we have spiritual practices. He talks
about the agency of being free in god. He uses the terms agency,
freedom, and slave in a discussion of their prayer that in these
religious practices the congregation is able to realize their
compassionate nature. He talks about how humans inherently speak in
the language of I, but that this congregation helps us to speak in the
language of we. The Rabbi continues on about how the congregation
is a community and how in this community the disenfranchised can
find power and how the hurt, the broken, and the oppressed can be
free. In this holy society, the Rabbi explains, the soul can find its true
compassionate heart and can fulfill its natural longing for freedom.
As everyone begins their halleluiah chants the room that was
once empty and rather plain, and the chairs that were nothing more
than church chairs to me are filled with voices in unison clearly
gathering for something other than themselves. During these chants I
do my best to follow along, interpreting English translations, listening,
and I even tried to join in a couple of times after an encouragement for
each to mumble their own way by the Rabbi. My mumbling was
uncomfortable, but there was something to be said in the feeling of
being included in something, a ritual beyond myself even if it made no
linguistic sense. According to various prayers we are instructed to sit,
stand, or follow our own customs. We are guided to face toward Israel
and are often regarding our brothers in Israel and the rest of the world.
The Rabbi leads many in this thought concluding with Amen.
Throughout the prayer three small children have slipped into the
meeting room with their fathers. The Rabbi summons the five of them
(3 children and 2 fathers) to assist him in the opening of the altar. The
kids come forward and are involved in the carrying and the Torah
scrolls procession. Later these kids walk through the aisles and the
members engage them as family and they are not seen as a distraction
at all. The scrolls are adorned with ornate velvet coverings and are
clearly taken care of. Each member who carries the scrolls is given this
duty as an honor. It is a beautiful thing to see the children, possibly
four years old, with their fathers parading the Torah to their
grandfathers and grandmothers. In this action I saw the true fulfillment
of community. The Torah is brought around through each aisle so that
each member may touch his or her tallits to it. Everyone participates in
this ritual and is blessed or kissed the tallit after it has touched the
Torah. Finally, the Torah is brought back to the front and is undressed.
After introducing the days reading and explaining the celebrations of
the day the Rabbi calls forward the first group. A woman comes
forward to read the scripture for the day. The first reading is for all
birthdays. All the members with birthdays come forward. They listen
and then chant together. They all seem to be filled with joy and though
many of them are older and have clearly had many, many birthdays
they look excited with wide eyes and grinning faces. Finally, the entire
congregation begins to sing in Hebrew. At first I think it is just another
prayer, but then I recognize the tune. They are singing them Happy
Birthday. I smile and laugh a little bit as I am reminded that these are
not all just rituals and that their religion is not just a practice, but it is a
part of life. These are real people that live in these practices as a part
of their life. This specific part of their life just happens to be celebrating
a birthday!
The next group comes forward as a group that is celebrating.
Many of them are celebrating anniversaries this month, some are
celebrating Mitzvahs, and others are celebrating for their own causes.
A diferent woman comes forward for the reading. She is much more
timid than the first, seems to be less practiced in her reading. She
makes two mistakes, but those around her continue to assist and
encourage her. At the last line the entire congregation joins in. This
woman is then commended for her reading as she too has recently
completed her adult Mitzvah class. The final reading is for healing. The
community lists of the people they would like to pray for healing for.
This list is very long. I am almost certain they named more people than
were present, an indicator of community involvement. Two men in the
back assist a man in a wheelchair to the front and a woman helps by
covering him in a tallit. The Rabbi speaks to the congregation about
being a people of adult faith. He talks about a Hebrew phrase in their
Torah reading that speaks of having a yes kind of faith. He doesnt
just preach on this though. The Rabbi engages in discussion with his
congregation and he knows each member calling them by name. He
agrees and disagrees with their statements and personal connections.
During this conversation I am struck and amazed by the potential
wisdom in the room. Everyone speaks with such eloquence and
thoughtfulness; it is beautiful. The Rabbi concludes this engagement
portion by discussing the basis of ritual as being a relationship. They
do and they act in trusting faith to a God that has told them to move.
They conclude the reading with a prayer for mourning. The list of
deaths in the past year is again, much longer than the list of members
in the room. The prayer is beautiful. After the prayers are concluded
the Rabbi asks for volunteers to help carry and dress the Torah during
their final few chants, which had successfully brought together their
congregation.
After this portion an elder woman is brought forward to introduce
a guest presenter. There is a short presentation by the guest about
Rogue Community Health. Not only is the Temple involved with Rogue
Community Health, but the elderly woman also asks again if anyone
would like to buy tamales to benefit the Northwest Seasonal Workers.
After this one of the board members, a woman who seemed to be in
her mid-thirties was invited forward to give the announcements for the
week and upcoming events. She encouraged the congregation to get
involved in classes and in their annual community fundraiser (again
indicator of social activism and community involvement). After this the
Rabbi came back up and he spoke about the potluck for that day and
concluded the thoughts and encouragements for the day. The Shabbat
service concluded with two more prayers: one was read by the Rabbi
alone and the final one was chanted as people packed up their things
and exited the room ending their sacred time of traditional prayer and
litigious chanting. The people took this chant with them into the
hallway where that long table was full of food.
After a brief conversation with Selene and saying goodbye to her
I am confronted many times by the community members. They ask me
if I learned things, of what I enjoyed. I was so grateful for them
allowing me to join in their prayers and observe and even participate in
such a ritually special time. Three or four members invite me to eat,
but because of my schedule I have to unfortunately decline. I find the
Rabbi, but he is speaking with the gentleman that helped me with the
Torah. After they are finished speaking the gentleman comes to me
and asks me how it was. I respond gratefully. He and I speak briefly
about the Rabbi, whom I am waiting to speak with, about his age. The
gentleman is very pleased with the Rabbi and though he remarks him
as young he gives praise for how he speaks with wisdom and
compassion with the congregation. The gentleman tells me I am too
skinny and that I need to join them for potluck. We both laugh, I tell
him that I wish I could, but that my schedule is already full for the
afternoon. Another woman tells me I must at least try the cookies at
the end of the table and that they are from Market of Choice.
Eventually I get to speak to the Rabbi, introduce myself and thank him
for having me to such a beautiful service and a community of gracious
people. He thanks me for visiting and invites me to join them again. He
says I am welcome as a guest any time. I thank him and make my way
to my car no longer feeling nervous or like an intruder, but as an
accepted and valued guest. I have learned so much and have been so
encouraged.
END 12:23pm