Independent minyanim on OpenLeft
It’s not just the New York Times anymore — independent minyanim have merited a story on the influential progressive political blog OpenLeft!
Amanda Milstein of Living Liberally writes about how participants in independent progressive Jewish communities are being inspired through their communities to get involved in social justice work or (through the social networks connected to these communities, since the communities themselves are non-profits and can’t endorse candidates) political activism.
Joelle Novey is one of the people who helps run an independent minyan called Tikkun Leil Shabbat in D.C. Every time they meet someone from a social justice organizations speaks, and provides participants with ways of getting involved with the cause that they are working for.
“We’ve heard [talks about how we could repair the world] about security guards organizing, efforts to clean up the Anacostia River, the local fight for marriage equality, activism to stop the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and…more… There are 150-200 folks at each of our gatherings, and almost 500 on our email list…We’re placing ongoing social justice work at the center of our Jewish community life in a way that feels unprecedented and important,” she said.
That’s great. OpenLeft is a really impressive site that combines long-term analysis and practical impact on key congressional races to accomplish progressive political goals. They may tend to attract, if I can be given a little room to generalize, the “happen to be Jewish and really into politics” crowd who might find the welcoming spirit of TLS and Kol Zimrah a very accessible way into Jewish life.
It’s a good sign, in my view, when the variety of religious expression begins to be recognized in progressive circles.
Thanks for the link!
So the independent minyanim are politically homogenous echo chambers … well we knew that ….
Yehudit… how many have you davened at?
Just within my city, there are several independent minyanim that attract very different crowds. (Rosh Pina, DC Minyan, Tikkun Leil Shabbat, Farbrangan, etc. )
This article discusses the author’s experiences with a specific flavor thereof.
“So the independent minyanim are politically homogenous echo chambers … well we knew that ….”
As opposed to the spirited discussions that go on in kollel or a Chabad house…?