Empowered Judaism: Independent Minyanim and the Future of American Jewish Life

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Why have thousands of young Jews, otherwise disengaged from formal Jewish life, started more than sixty prayer communities across the United States? What crucial lessons for all Jews can these grassroots communities provide? Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, one of the leaders of this phenomenon, offers refreshingly new analysis of age-old questions of how to build Jewish community by examining the independent minyan movement and its relevant lessons on prayer, community organising, volunteer leadership and how they impact wider issues in American Judaism. Along with describing the growth of minyanim across the country, he examines the pros and cons of the rabbi/cantor model; the role of music, leadership, space and youth in their new approach to prayer; and the lessons learned from the concept of immersive, intensive Jewish learning in an egalitarian context. He, also, offers insight from the growing field of Jewish social entrepreneurs. By exploring the successes and shortcomings of the independent minyan movement, Kaunfer outlines the Jewish values that must be invested in to push the American Jewish landscape to the next level.