Temple Ahavat Achim continues to thrive in spite of the destruction of its synagogue in December's Middle Street fire.
This weekend, the congregation will host a series of events as part of its Scholars in Residence program.
"A Weekend for the Jewish Mind, Heart and Soul" will be presented by Rabbi Marcia Prager and her husband, Cantor Jack Kessler, of Philadelphia.
"Many synagogues invite outstanding people for a weekend in what is called scholars in residence," the temple's rabbi, Samuel Barth, said. "They are old and dear friends of mine, and two people who are among the best in the country in teaching and presenting on prayer and revitalizing and re-energizing a community."
He noted that it takes five years of graduate school to earn the title of cantor.
"They have enormous training and Jewish scholarship," Barth said.
Prager and her husband plan to bring some uplifting song, prayer and teaching, blending the familiar style of the synagogue's worship practice with some new melodies and experiences.
"We hope that our gift will be one of encouragement, support, optimism and delight," Prager said. "This congregation has been through quite a shocking tragedy, the utter destruction of their synagogue in a devastating fire. One of the challenges of a tragedy such as this is that the community must find in it an opportunity to rediscover its strength and its solidarity. It must recommit to its vision and look into the future in new ways. Along the way, any infusions of inspiration and even joy can be very helpful."
The Gloucester congregation is in the midst of that and more.
"The synagogue is doing really well," Barth said. "Since the fire happened that Saturday morning (in December), we didn't miss a single service. All sessions of school took place and teens continued their studies. I feel like all the essential things a community does, this congregation has continued to rally around. We are looking to increase more and more people in the life of the congregation."
The temple is also deep into the process of planning for the future.
"Whatever we build and wherever we build it, it will be a 'green' synagogue," Barth said. "We have a deep environmental consciousness and concern. Putting up a synagogue that is ecologically harmonious is a symbolic statement that as a community of faith, the Jewish community expresses a deep concern for the environment, especially on Cape Ann, which is beautiful and ecologically fragile."
Carole Sharoff, co-president of the temple, said the temple members have a shared immediate experience that, like glue, has bound them together as they work toward the future with common goals.
"We don't have an answer for what exactly we are going to do, but we have many committees working in that direction," she said. Those include an insurance and legal committee, a communications committee, a building committee, and a strategic planning committee focused on the future, an executive committee focused on today, and an archives committee focused on yesterday.
More than 100 people have taken part in planning process.
"Some clear threads are emerging and we're looking at points of commonality," Barth said.
No decision has been made on location of the new temple at this point. But an interim temple office is located at 33 Commercial St., while the services still take place at Unitarian Universalist Church on Middle Street.
"In the aftermath of the fire, there is so much to think about," said Sharoff. "The fire was a terrible tragedy, but what's coming out of it now is a positive energy. People are involved in committees. There's a revitalization of the community because we have gone through a shared tragedy. We have a shared history that is still fresh."
That spirit of revitalization will be evident. Prager and Kessler receive different responses from the various communities to which they visit.
"We travel to congregations around the country to share our love of Judaism as a profound path of spiritual growth and world healing, and have been very moved by the exuberance that unfolds" Prager said. "Often there is a diversity of needs and preferences within a congregation. We work hard to coordinate with the rabbi and other planners so that what we bring is a good match for the congregation, blending some very traditional approaches with some more novel, contemporary ways of entering Jewish prayer and learning."
The couple is eager to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others.
"As a spiritual tradition, Judaism has thrived for so long because it carries profound and deep truths about the nature of the world, of God, and the purpose of life. As a people we have learned from every environment in which we have lived," said Prager. "We have learned new melodies, and created new prayers. We have discovered new and renewed ways of learning and teaching our wisdom and our story. "
There are events planned for all ages.
Tonight, the visiting scholars will lead the service at Unitarian Universalist Church beginning at 6:15. Following the service, about 7:30, there will be a potluck dinner. About 8:15, there will be a talk on the Jewish festivals and their spiritual meaning.
Tomorrow morning will be a time of scripture study and prayer with a musical service from 9 to noon at the Middle Street church.
Tomorrow, Barth will host an hour of Jewish meditation at his home at 5 p.m. Rabbi Prager is a renowned teacher of meditation.
At 8 tomorrow night, Kessler will pull together people in the community for a special concert at the church.
A morning service of prayer and music will take place Sunday at 9 a.m.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
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Reader box:
What: Temple Ahavat Achim will sponsor "Scholars in Residence: A Weekend for the Jewish Mind, Heart and Soul," with Rabbi Marcia Prager and Cantor Jack Kessler
When: Today through Sunday.
When: Musical Shabbat services tonight and tomorrow morning, spiritual lecture and discussion, potluck dinner (advance registration needed), a Havdallah service followed by a concert tomorrow night, and special programs for adults and children.
Where: Principal events at Unitarian Universalist Church on Middle Street in Gloucester.
Who: All events are free and open to all. Call 978-281-0739 for information, or visit www.taagloucester.org for a full schedule.
