What is Jewish Renewal
Jewish Renewal is a transdenominational approach to
revitalizing Judaism.
We combine the socially progressive values of
egalitarianism, the joy of Hasidism, the informed do-it-
yourself spirit of the havurah movement, and the
accumulated wisdom of centuries of tradition.
We value deep ecumenism; in Hillel’s words, we learn
from every person and spiritual tradition. We create
innovative, accessible, and welcoming prayer experiences.
We shape halacha (Jewish law) into a living way of
walking in the world.
And, we seek to deepen the ongoing, joyful, and
fundamental connection, with a God who connects us all,
which is at the heart of Jewish practice.
Renewal is an attitude, not a denomination, and offers
tools to all branches of Judaism, including:
•
An emphasis on accessible spiritual experience;
•
Contemplative practices (Jewish Renewal teachers
were the first to recover meditative practices from the
dusty attic of Jewish tradition, and to return them to
their rightful place as central Jewish spiritual
technologies);
•
Davvenology, the art and practice of being a living
laboratory for creative and renewed Jewish prayer, in
modalities including chant and embodied prayer;
•
Sage-ing, trainings and tools for rethinking aging as a
journey of unearthing wisdom;
•
Hashpa’ah (spiritual direction) as a tool for
unpacking the holy potential of every moment and for
discerning the voice of God.
•
Renewal seeks to balance forward-thinking with
backward-compatibility. We know we can’t drive if
we’re only looking in the rear-view mirror, but
neither can we move forward if we don’t know where
we’ve been.
Jewish Renewal