Etz Chayim Forum - Charleston SC: Updated Introduction

August 26, 2006 - Blog update

Welcome to this updated introduction to the Etz Chayim Forum, Charleston, SC. The blog has evolved a little over time. To see the original introduction, click on the "introduction" link below.

Blog updates and postings are not continuous - there are "dry spells" and there are "busy" spells. If you would to be notified about updates, here are some options - pick the one that suits your needs best.

1) To get a notice about blog updates as they are published, I will be happy to place you on an email list from etzchayimforum@aol.com . Just email your request for "email notification" to this address.

2) To get new articles as complete emails, I will be happy to place you on an email list from etzchayimforum@aol.com . Just email your request and title it "email me new articles" to this address.

3) If you would like a shortcut for your desktop, you can make one as follows: point your mouse to a blank area of this page (where there are no links or text) and press the right-side button on your mouse. This will bring up a list in a gray box - one of the choices will be "create shortcut". (Before you make the selection, get yourself back to the home page of the blog, otherwise you will come back to this introduction page. You can use the GET BACK link listed on the right of this page). Do the right mouse click and selection as above, point at the "create shortcut" option in the gray box, and press the left mouse button. You should then get a message that a shortcut will be placed on your desktop - and you are on your way. You can rename the shortcut on your desk top, if you like, the same way you would rename any other file. (Right click on the file with your mouse, select "change name" from menu - with CAPS LOCKED, enter something memorable - ECF shortcut, or Get my fix, NOW.)

4) If you would like a shortcut that includes the ECForum logo, email etzchayimforum@aol as above but request "shortcut with logo". I will send you a file as an attachment. The file will be a web page - that is, an html file attachment. Click on it when you get it, and save it to your desktop. Then use it whenever you want to.

That's all,

Stay tuned, stay focused, stay smart, and . . . .

. . . . . stay committed.

Etz Chayim Forum - Charleston SC: Introduction

an open forum

Hi and welcome to the EC Forum.

For newcomers, as most of us are, to this kind of medium, the original posting to the forum can be found under the heading "introduction". To participate, please refer to the bottom of this posting for some tips.

There are now a few comments to the introduction (follow the directions below to see them) to which I offer the following remarks: I would like the forum to be an open and respectful one, and if it leads to helpful ideas, that will be wonderful. Given the nature of free media, I will do my best to allow all views expressed in comments and responses to be published here-in. However, I will moderate these so that the forum maintains a suitable level of respect and seriousness-of-purpose.

One comment notes that the whole congregation should be given access. I presume this refers to BSBI. Anyone may email details or links to this site to anyone else. I may send links to the leadership of all the Charleston shuls, in due course, but so far I have not.

Another comment asks if the purpose is to "allow anonymous venting". Participants get to choose whether to identify themselves, or not. Some may choose to vent anonymously, others may not. My name is known, and listed on the opening page. I have had a number of responses and criticisms sent to me by personal email. These have generally been positive, and the tone and content of the introduction has been complimented by some. Look it over, decide for yourself, and let me know what you think. If you prefer to email me without having your comments published, I have created an email address for this forum - etzchayimforum@aol.com that you may use. BUT be sure indicate if you do not want your comments published, or if you want them posted anonymously.

Thanks for your interest and support.
ECF editor.

Tips for getting around this onlline forum:

Comments may be read and / or posted as detailed below -

To read comments - click on "comment". A comment option appears below each section or "posting". Then follow the instructions as they come up in a "bubble".

To participate in the forum, and post comments. Click on "Post comment" and follow the instructions. It is easy. The system will ask you to copy some letters that appear in a wavy kind of picture. This is to confirm that you are human - not some spam program from cyberspace. I hope I have set things up so that I get your posting to review before they will appear..... "everything in moderation"... and many thanks to those who have sent feedback to me via email.

Introduction

This is an online forum for discussion of issues of concern to the Jewish Community of Charleston, South Carolina.

The forum's purpose is to give a voice to people in the community who are committed to strengthening the larger Jewish community, and who wish to do so by enhancing the interactions and interdependence of its various institutions - AHA, JCC, CJF and the synagogues.

In particular, the forum’s initial focus is the planned reconstruction of the AHA - JCC campus, and the need to include in that rebuilding a viable orthodox synagogue. A new campus with the above components can serve as a stimulus for vibrant growth in the area. It will be attractive to families from all major affiliations, with a community atmosphere, and the potential to attract people from other centers considering relocating to smaller and warmer communities in the South Eastern USA.

Background:

The Jewish Community Center and Addlestone Hebrew Academy recently announced the beginning of a major fund-raising and building campaign to reconstruct the combined campus on Wallenberg Boulevard, in West Ashley.

The JCC entered into discussions with Brith Sholom Beth Israel, which was engaged in reviewing its options for the location of its sanctuary and facilities. The JCC Board voted to offer BSBI space for a new facility on land owned by the JCC. BSBI brought its process to closure at a special meeting of the congregation on January 29, 2006. At this meeting, the outcome was reached that BSBI will remain downtown on Rutledge Avenue, and will maintain the Minyan House (a secondary sanctuary) in South Windemere.

Discussion:

In other circumstances, the outcome of BSBIs processes would be nothing more than an internal matter, and the JCC could begin to look for other options for the land it had offered for sale to BSBI. However, given the size and make up of the Charleston Jewish community, the outcome merits a closer examination by people within BSBI and in the larger Jewish community.

The BSBI “decision” needs to be understood in this context. We are a small Jewish community. The three congregations cooperate in a way that does not happen elsewhere. There is only room for one community day school, and one JCC. The key to their success lies in making reasonable accommodations between all three major segments of the community - the watchword is "inclusiveness". Furthermore, in this community, there is really only enough room for one Orthodox synagogue. That synagogue needs to be in the location where it can best serve the greatest number of people at the same time as maximizing its contribution to the other Jewish Institutions and the community at large. With new building about to take place on the AHA / JCC campus, the best location is obviously on or near the Wallenberg Boulevard Campus. Rabbi Ari Sytner of BSBI has articulated this, as has Rabbi Achiya Delouya, the principle of AHA.

An examination of BSBI’s situation reveals the following: slowly but steadily declining membership; operating budget shortfalls needing regular significant fund-raising or sale of assets; split between two sanctuaries, BSBI is less than the sum of its parts, and many members recognize the need to unify; lay leadership that is unwilling to address these realities, and unwilling to meaningfully and fully address the very real needs of its observant membership; and finally, disdain for the younger membership, especially young families with children, who are ready to provide a nucleus for renewed commitment and development.

A breakdown of the votes in the first round of the January BSBI ballot is very instructive - of 218 votes, 5 votes were not clearly for any specific location - but 91 were for remaining at the Rutledge Ave location, 85 favored the AHA/JCC area, and 36 were in favor of South Windemere. In other words, 121 did not see the Rutledge Ave location as optimal. Furthermore, the gap between South Windemere and AHA / JCC is telling. In spite of these indications from its membership, the lay leadership is committed to further developments in South Windemere, while BSBI remains in its downtown sanctuary.

The key question that arises from this is - Is BSBI a committed partner of the larger Jewish community? At the moment, it is clear that it is not. So, where can the JCC turn to find such a partner?

Since the January meeting, a group of people, most of them from BSBI, but some not, have begun to hold services in the AHA / JCC area. This is a development that merits widespread support. It represents a seed that can grow to offer new opportunities - for individual commitment, and for community growth. It is time to hear from all quarters of the community. Are we ready to take a fresh look at the situation, and develop new ways to forge ahead with vision, purpose and integrity?