New-Style Congregation Celebrates First Anniversary

B’Chavana is a Jewish congregation unlike others.

It has no building, is not affiliated with a movement and offers no school for children.  There are no dues.  Its members come from a variety of backgrounds: secular, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist. Some were raised with no religion at all and several chose to become Jewish.  Non-Jewish spousesparticipate as well.

Then there’s that unwieldy name: B’Chavana.  While most people cannot pronounce it the first time, they quickly learn.  The Hebrew term means “intentional”.  It signifies that the community wants to build itself deliberately and attract people who are drawn to an intentional vision that goes beyond Hebrew schools and Bar Mitzvahs.

Because of that, B’Chavana has attracted adults who havebecome more reflective about their lives and more mindful of their choices.  Many are empty-nesters who are taking stock of their lives as they choose new goals for the future.

B’Chavana began with the vision of its founding rabbi, Marc J. Belgrad.  After twenty-three years as a congregational rabbi in Memphis and Buffalo Grove, Rabbi Belgrad began teaching Bible and Modern Jewish Thought at Chicagoland Jewish High School in Deerfield.  He created a program for Jewish adults to explore their spiritual questions titled “Getting to God.”  He also completed a national ten-day training program in community organizing.

“I was aware of the basic elements (that would become B’Chavana) as early as my ordination in 1986.  But it took myexperience in traditional congregations to bring them together in a coherent vision.  I wanted to lead a community in which people wanted to become a significant part of each other’s lives.  I enjoy the give-and-take of learning with people who arecurious and interested in thinking about their purpose in life.”  Likewise, he says, he wanted to build a community committedto improving the world around it.

“All in all,” he reflects, “I wanted to inspire a community to be thoughtful and intentional about itself and its aspirations.  I wanted to lead people to create lives of meaning and purpose.”

He and his wife Susan hosted the first services in their family room in late 2010, inviting friends to try this experiment.  Word got around and newcomers started to attend.  Within a short period of time, people were eagerly volunteering to host the next service.  An accomplished guitarist, Rabbi Belgrad would lead services with beautiful, accessible music.  He brought his teaching skills into play but also invited guests to share their insights.  “Learning for us occurs through many venues, not just the rabbi.”  Guest teachers have included a Catholic educator, a Muslim leader, the Minister-creator of a wilderness spirituality program and B’Chavana member Anita Silvert, a dynamic and creative Jewish educator recognized around the Midwest for her innovative approaches to exploring Jewish texts.  “I love how B’Chavana brings all sorts of people and ideas into my life that I never would have had” says member Karen Gleicher.

Utilizing his skills in community organizing, Rabbi Belgrad conducted many one-on-one meetings in which he shared his vision.  However, he says, he spent more time listening than talking.  “People were great in sharing their experiences with me, their disappointments with religious life but also their hopes and aspirations.”

By last summer, the enthusiastic leadership established an “official membership.”  In one year’s time, this unique community has attracted forty members.  This fall will see the community’s third High Holiday celebration, open to the larger community.  B’Chavana is committed to sharing its unique vision with people searching for a place to explore their Jewish identity and spiritual questions.

“We even have two Torah scrolls,” the Rabbi laughs, “unusual for a small congregation.”  One was a gift of a cousin of his who was taken with his vision.  The second, from Israel, was a gift ofa member, wishing to remain anonymous, who likewise wanted to create the community.

Built around traditional pillars of Jewish life – learning, praying and improving the world – B’Chavana’s approach has three core values: intentionality, spirituality and transformation.  “We aremindful about what we’re doing,” leader Stew Campbell says, “so that we can reflect on the spiritual values that should guide our lives and then be able to grow personally and to impact our community.”  Part of that mindfulness is being intentional about keeping costs and meetings to a minimum so that the community can focus on its true purposes.  Hence, there is a small budget and a commitment not to build a synagogue.

What is it like to attend a B’Chavana service?  “You’re struck first by the music, of course,” says member Nancy Feinberg, “it’s so moving.  People sing in harmony and let themselves bemoved by the melodies.  Next,” she says, “you feel the joy, laughter and support of strong friendships.”

And what about there being “no dues”?  The leadership team (Va’ad) intentionally decided on a new method of establishing financial strength, one that draws upon members’ felt-commitment.  The Va’ad developed a budget with a recommended commitment and then invited people to assess themselves.  The results have been impressive.  Those who can afford less do so while those who can afford more have taken on the added responsibility.  “That’s how a real community works,” says Mark Rangell, who helps with the financial planning.

For the rabbi, there is great satisfaction in realizing his long-held dream.  “I love the community that we have created and have been revitalized personally and professionally by the people that are in it and the things that we accomplish.”

B’Chavana welcomes people who are interested in this new way of doing Judaism.  For more information, contact Rabbi Belgrad at (847) 951-7557 or at ravmarc@aol.com.  The website ishttp://bchavana.org.  Tickets for High Holidays are available atholydays@bchavana.org or via the website (under “Holy Days: Schedule and Information”).