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Guiding Principles
The Guiding Principles are
a "user's guide"to the Temple Shir Tikva Mission Statement. They provide
the bridge from the abstract concepts of the mission statement and congregational
values into practical application and action. They provide direction for working
out how leaders and volunteers can support the mission. The Temple Shir Tikva
Mission Statement is a dynamic process and an ever-evolving document.
Beit
Midrash (A place to study Torah)We will design formal and informal educational programming to:
- Focus on the values and meaning underlying
Jewish learning, prayer, and action,
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Acknowledge that religious education goes beyond skill building; it means teaching
how to act within a Jewish framework of values,
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Engage all age groups with learning opportunities marked by excellence and diversity,
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Take advantage of differing ways of educating people to reach out to as many as
possible, including those with learning and other disabilities,
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Center on Torah,
- Value the study
of Hebrew,
- Provide skill development
to enhance participation in ritual, prayer, and festival observances,
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Extend learning beyond the classroom to Jewish experiences in family, synagogue
and community (including life cycle events and milestones),
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Encourage people to reach out and take advantage of Jewish learning opportunities
and cultural experiences outside of the Temple,
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Encourage intergenerational learning and experiential opportunities, and
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Support study and travel experiences to Israel.
Beit Tefillah
(A place to worship and seek holiness)
We will provide worship opportunities and life-cycle celebrations to:
- Respond to individual desires for higher
levels of spirituality, and
- Express
the faith of our ancient tradition through the lens of the modern-day Jew
We will work to repair the world by:
- Promoting projects which address societal
injustice,
- Providing models for members
to engage in social action,
- Providing
a variety of engaging and meaningful social action opportunities appropriate for
individuals, families, small groups and the congregation at large,
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Educating our congregation about societal injustices and suggesting remedial action,
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Teaching tzedakah as a way of life, and
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Teaching an awareness and concern for our environment.
Beit
Kenesset (A place to gather together as a community)
We will enhance individual Jewish journeys by:
- Engaging members where they are, asking: Where are you now? Where do
you want to go?
- Customizing a plan that enables members to get the most
from our offerings,
- Providing entry points in all phases of an individual’s
journey,
- Identifying opportunities and providing vehicles for growth
in all aspects of Jewish life: social, learning, worship, tikkun olam,
and performing mitzvot, and
- Accepting, respectfully and supportively,
differences in backgrounds, styles of observance, participation levels, stages
in life.
We will build community by:
- Reaching out to
support members in need (kesher),
- Including members without regard
to financial ability,
- Respecting our building and the property within,
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Maintaining a chavurah-like spirit of connection, friendship, and mutual
support, even as our community grows, and
- Acting with our time and personal
resources to support Israel and the Jewish community worldwide.
We
will build a governance structure to promote:
- Innovation in all areas
of Temple life, consistent with the pioneering spirit, energy and vitality of
our founding members,
- Collaboration and respect among professional and
lay leaders,
- Clear definition of the charter, expectations, roles and
responsibilities of the Board, committees, lay leaders and professionals,
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Systemic quality control through ongoing evaluation, reflection, and adjustment,
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Interactive communication (parlor meetings or congregation-wide conversations)
to promote participation, understanding, and innovative thinking,
- Representation
of all member interests,
- Participation and leadership opportunities
to all who are interested,
- Fiscal responsibility and stability,
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Systematic leadership development, so that volunteers are recruited, trained,
and expected to assume leadership roles, and
- Training and support in
the areas of Shir Tikva’s history, culture, the setting of priorities, strategic
planning, agenda-setting, meeting skills, and recruitment of volunteers.
6/04/01 |
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