I was talking with Samayach and Wetstein today when a familiar topic came up. Its one I love because its the throughline in the career or my favorite composter, Leonard Bernstein. A Place For US. Not Just Zion, though maybe there’s the answer right there. We were discussing the need for a place for Kavanah to possibly gather once the weather turns cooler. Then we talked about how Shabbat @ Shabecky’s needs a new home because Bex is moving. Then we talked about how KFAR has no office or performance space, and that basically if you’re looking to do something innovative and Jewish in this town, you’re S.O.L. in terms of space.
I’m not sure that a formal space of any sort is a good idea, but I know that on some level it is needed. We need a social club. We need a venue. We need a space that can be spiritual or social by rearranging the furniture. We need a space that has no baggage, no cues of institutionality that can accomodate and maybe even inspire newish Jewish projects.
In New York, Makor seems to do that for programming, though in a bit more of a formal sense. Bikkurim incubates NY based ideas and provides office space, but I don’t know where it happens elsewhere. I know that it ISN’T happening at Hillels and largely, not so much at shuls or JCC’s. At least not in Chicago.
I”ve been thinking about how Havurah on the Hill reclaimed the old Vilner Shul on Boston’s Beacon Hill and how, according to Synablog, (who links to Mishakneer), discusses an interested opportunity at Seattle’s Emmanual Congregation (sort of a pre-Loptain ASBI).
What about renting a communal apartment? What about a communal storefront? Nothing formal, no agenda, just a space to congregate, literally. Where would this be and what would it look like and most importantly, who would pay for it? I know of spaces in Lakeview sitting empty on the cheap that could be put to use on this, but not cheap enough to make it happen on my own.
This is in part of what Yoel Natan is talking about. Its what alot of people are tallking about. Its what too few people are doing anything about and too many people who are complicit in the Avodah Zarah of Institutional Worship (not worship institutions, though they’re sometimes the same thing). We need to pull down the alter of the “Big Box Shul” idea and build a new Miskahn for our people… One that’s more flexible or protable or impermanent. Whether its an urban Kibbutz or a Bayit or a temporary space, Mishkaneering, the work of creating a spiritual space, even a temporary one, is an essential exercise.
I love what DC’s Sixth and I shul did in turning their building into a center for Jewish activity, regardless of denomination. Cool idea and good way to use an existing space. I’m thinking more along the lines of creating a new environment in which multiple things can happen…Agudas Achim in Uptown has been begging people to take an interest but theres a lot of baggage there.There are several groups I can think of that would meet there. Shabbecky’s, Kavanah, KFAR maybe Mitziut would have events. Rav Yoga could meet there, in addition to any Kehilla programs or Makor ongs (don’t get me started on the JCC Gymnatorium), Shabbat Shirah…
Its hard to talk about creating new spaces when there are old ones which may or may not be working that need support. Can creating a blank canvas physical space creates mental space in the group or individual to formulate new Jewish ideas? Can existing institutions support them as a bridge to their own futures? I think so. How? Moshav Haam is asking some of these questions, as are the folks at Synagogue 3000.
But right now I’m asking you.
