While there are certain areas of ritual participation which, by Jewish Law, remain
reserved for Jews only, there are opportunities for non-Jewish family members
to participate in some aspects of a family simchah at our synagogue. I have outlined
our congregation’s new policy below. This policy has been reviewed and
approved by our Ritual Committee and our Board of Directors. Now, as Rabbi of
our congregation, I am pleased to implement the policy.
If
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Rabbi Martin I. Sandberg
1)
Non-Jews may be offered to participate in leading readings, in English,
that are not part of the required service framework.
Non-Jews may be invited to address the congregation from the pulpit, if invited
by the
Rabbi.
2) A non-Jewish family member of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah may present a tallit and
join in the family Shehecheyanu (blessing of thanksgiving) if they desire.
3) A non-Jew may not take any role in the service which is part of the halachic
framework of the service. This includes leading the statutory prayers in
Hebrew or English, being called to the Torah, individually or as part of
a group,
and other honors which are part of the standard required rituals.
4) A non-Jewish family member may not be called to the Torah. But that non-Jewish
family member may join the family on the Bimah – after the aliyah – in
a blessing given to the family by the Rabbi.
5) Non-Jewish men are to wear a kippah while in the congregation. Both non-Jewish
men and women are to wear a head covering when on the bimah.
6) The Rabbi will have the ultimate authority to decide what parts of the
service fall under the category of non-halachic and thus open to non-Jewish
participation.
7) The Rabbi will have the ultimate authority to decide who is Jewish according
to the norms of the Conservative Movement.
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