Kahal B'raira
{{Short description|Humanistic Jewish synagogue in Massachusetts, US}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{primary sources|date=February 2013}}
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| name = Kahal B’raira
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| religious_affiliation = Judaism
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| rite = Humanistic
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| status = Synagogue
| functional_status = Active
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| location = 765 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, Boston, Massachusetts
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| country = United States
| map_type = United States Boston Metro
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| map_caption = Location in greater Boston
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| administration = Society for Humanistic Judaism
| coordinates = {{coordinates|42.3914|N|71.1542|W|type:landmark_region:US-MA|display=it}}
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| established = 1975
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| website = {{url|kahalbraira.org}}
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Kahal B’raira is a Humanistic Jewish synagogue located at 765 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/ |title=Home |website=kahalbraira.org |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= }}
Affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism,{{cite web |url=http://www.shj.org/ |title=Home |publisher=Society for Humanistic Judaism |date= |access-date= }} Kahal B’raira (pronounced ka-HAL breyra) has offered a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life since 1975. The congregation aims to welcome all who identify with the history, culture and fate of the Jewish people, including multi-faith families and LGBTQ families.{{Cite web|url=http://joi.org/bigtent/?sec=find&page=directory&state=MA|title=Directory|access-date=14 December 2012|archive-date=15 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215103713/http://joi.org/bigtent/?sec=find&page=directory&state=MA|url-status=usurped}}
Services
= Sunday School =
Kahal B'raira offers secular Jewish education for young people ages 3–14.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/youth/sunday-school |title=Sunday School |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221142253/http://www.kahalbraira.org/youth/sunday-school |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} It also offers bar/bat mitzvah and teen programming including a youth group and employment opportunities in the Sunday School. Students involved in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/youth/bar-bat-mitzvah |title=Programs |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223071842/http://www.kahalbraira.org/youth/bar-bat-mitzvah |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} and the Youth group{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/youth/youth-group |title=Programs |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223072850/http://www.kahalbraira.org/youth/youth-group |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} also undertake additional social action projects. The Sunday School collects tzedakah in class throughout the year and then decides collectively what causes to support.
= Sunday meetings =
The congregation primarily draws members{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/membership |title=Membership |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223073323/http://www.kahalbraira.org/membership |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} from Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Adults meet concurrently with the Sunday School 15 times a year.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/calendar |title=Calendar |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} The morning with the children and adults together. After the children leave for class, adult members participate in member-led secular services, and a featured presentation by a guest lecturer on a topic typically relating to Jewish culture, humanism, history, philosophy, arts, society, politics, or other issues. Some past topics include “When General Grant Expelled the Jews”, “Current events in the Middle East”, “Jewish Cooking”, and an annual book group (past books have included “The Zookeeper's Wife” by Diane Ackerman, “Patrimony” by Philip Roth and “What Remains” by Nicholas Delbanco.
= Adult education =
In addition to Sunday morning programming, adult members may participate in additional Adult Education classes. These may be member led, or may be in a weekend seminar{{cite web |url=http://www.iishj.org/ |title=Home |website=iishj.org |date= |access-date= }} taught by a Scholar-in-Residence.[https://archive.today/20130411171958/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thejewishadvocate/access/1928363911.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+20,+2009&author=Penny+Schwartz Penny Schwartz] pqarchiver.com {{Dead link|date=March 2022}} Weekend seminars have been held in 2009 and 2010. Another seminar is planned for the weekend from December 13–15, 2013.
Holidays
The major Jewish holidays{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/holidays |title=Programs |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129002438/http://www.kahalbraira.org/holidays |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} are celebrated include high holiday services, building of and eating in the sukkah, a Tu Bishvat program, a congregational Passover Seder, a Hanukkah meal and party and periodic Shabbat services and get-togethers.
Social action and community involvement
The congregation aims to encourage activities related to social service and social justice, adult education, and social events.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/community/social-action |title=Social Action |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223072327/http://www.kahalbraira.org/community/social-action |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} The community is lay-led.
The congregation also has a social action committee which coordinates events over the course of the year. Ongoing events have included a blood drive, volunteering at Gaining Ground Farm, serving meals on Christmas at First Church Shelter, contributing to Jewish Family and Children's Services' Family Table food pantry, participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of service in partnership with the City Mission Society,{{cite web |url=http://www.cmsboston.org/Community-Partners.html |title=プロミス・Smbcモビットを比較【どっちがいい？】違いを解説 – モアイ金融 }} adopting needy children/families at holiday time and bringing journaling workshops to women incarcerated at Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Framingham, and also through the congregation's "Sheltering Arts Program."
The congregation's Chesed (Caring) committee{{Cite web |url=http://www.kahalbraira.org/community/member-care |title=Community Care Resources |publisher=Kahal B’raira |date= |access-date= |archive-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223071509/http://www.kahalbraira.org/community/member-care |url-status=dead }}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}}{{self-published-inline|date=October 2023}} offers support to members facing medical illness or other crises helping members in need.
Social events
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.kahalbraira.org/}}
- [http://www.shj.org/ Society for Humanistic Judaism]
- [http://www.answers.com/topic/humanistic-judaism Answer.com Encyclopedia of Judaism]
- [http://www.shj.org/affeast.htm Kahal B'raira listing on SHJ Congregations page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328063616/http://www.shj.org/affeast.htm |date=28 March 2013 }}
- [http://www.cmsboston.org/Community-Partners.html City mission Society of Boston Community Partners]
- [http://www.iishj.org/ International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism]
{{Synagogues in the United States}}
Category:Humanistic Judaism in the United States
Category:Jewish organizations established in 1975
Category:Secular Jewish culture in the United States
Category:Humanistic synagogues in the United States
Category:Buildings and structures in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Category:20th-century synagogues in the United States