On
Saturday night, March 12, Bet Shalom congregation of Barcelona celebrated its
10th anniversary with the dedication of a new sanctuary.
Bet
Shalom is an emerging liberal synagogue that is affiliated with the European
Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ). It has been my privilege to work with them
for many years, and to witness their steady growth in a country that has a
small Jewish community but a glorious past history in the Jewish world. For
many, it is almost a “mother country.”
My
wife and I went to Barcelona first in June, 2008, and worked with Bet Shalom’s
lay leadership to give shape to a new movement. A few Rabbis preceded our
arrival, each one spending a limited time in the country. The Jewish community
in Barcelona is small. Presently, in addition to Bet Shalom, there is an
Orthodox Jewish center, a Chabad group and another small progressive synagogue called
Atid. I see Bet Shalom as a dynamic, forward thinking, and community oriented. Jai
[pronounced as Hai) Anguita, the President, is its indefatigable lay leader,
and Maria Prieto Manzanares functions as its representative vis-a-vis the world
Jewish community. About 60-70 families are now associated with it.
Since
2008, we have traveled to Barcelona a number of times, and stayed there short periods
of time leading services, teaching classes, and giving
public lectures on Judaism. I have also done a few weddings, and participated
in many rabbinic courts (with Rabbis coming from London) regarding conversions,
and I always returned to the States more energized and hopeful for the future.
The congregation is now fortunate to have Rabbi Stephen Berkowitz, a graduate
of the Reconstructionist seminary, as its religious leader, who from now on
will be able to spend a few weeks at a time working with different branches of
the congregation.
The
new and spacious sanctuary is located in the area called Gracia, not too far
away from the famous Sagrada Familia, the church that was designed by Antoni
Gaudi (1852-1936) but still not finished. The celebration attracted many local
dignitaries, representatives of other Jewish institutions and Mrs. Miriam Kramer,
the Chairperson of EUPJ who came from London. After Havdalah
and dedication, which Rabbi Berkowitz and I conducted in Spanish, the
congregation and guests, numbering in over 100 people, enjoyed a lovely meal
and danced for many hours. They now have a new pulpit and are in the process of
getting a new ark that will house the single Torah I brought to them a few
years ago. During the rest of the week, I also taught a class on Jewish God
concepts to the participants of Introduction to Judaism class, and gave a
public lecture on the Expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Spain in now granting
citizenship to anyone who can prove a link to the Jewish community that was expelled
in the past.
I
am very proud of my association with Beth Shalom and hope that with local and
international help, it will continue to grow in number and stature, even encouraging
others to follow its steady path. Already a few progressive groups are
functioning in Madrid and other cities, and look to Bet Shalom for guidance.
Spain is emerging again as a new Jewish light. I only hope they go from
strength to strength.
Rabbi
Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D.
March,
2016
No comments:
Post a Comment