View from the Pew
A look inside Hawaii's houses of worshipBy Mary Adamski
Saturday, March 31, 2001
"I EXPECTED IT to be formal," said the Windward Community College comparative religions student who shared my row at the Shabat service at Temple Emanu-El. A holy, reverent
temple serviceWe might have experienced that formality had there been the rituals of a special holy day, or had we sought the Shabat experience at the Conservative congregation next door.
This ordinary Sabbath evening was an experience that felt familiar to us gentiles. We heard an endearingly nervous senior from the congregation talk and watched the kids enjoy their time up front, gathered around the large scroll as the Torah was read. The minor-key melodies were unfamiliar, but we could relate as Rabbi Avi Magid -- doubling as cantor -- accompanied the sung recitation on his guitar.
What I've thought of ever since my temple visit is the profound connection a Jewish person has to God through the Torah, the five books of Moses that they believe are God's words. Unlike the myriad translations and modern politically correct versions of the Bible which compete for Christians' eyes, the Torah is in the language that Moses recorded the game plan for his people.
THE HEAVY PARCHMENT scroll is removed from the Ark, a holy storage closet, with ceremony. To watch people reach out to touch it as it is carried through the temple is a touching sight.
Members of the Western world's prevailing religion would be enthralled to visit here; it's back to the roots. The basic format of Christian worship is modeled on this service. Sacred Scriptures are read. The congregation sings and recites familiar prayers together. "Alleluia" and "Amen" -- this is where they came from.
And there's the inescapable sermon. But Rabbi Avi Magid's recent brainstorm isn't likely to start a stampede of imitation by preachers around town. In an initiative aimed at getting more people to participate, he called for volunteers to do future homilies based on the readings, which are set by the year's calendar. "In 10 days, people signed up for the next six months," he said. Now he has to carve out time to get his own words in edgewise!
Temple Emanu-El.
Welcome:
An aloha touch to Jewish tradition is added at Honolulu's largest synagogue. The kiddush, a ceremony to bless the Sabbath with a sip of wine and chanted prayer, is common in a Reform temple. Here it is held around a table before the Friday night service, giving visitors a chance to introduce themselves.
Participation:
It comes as a surprise to an outsider that the ancient Hebrew language is alive and these 21st century Americans are fluent enough to pray and chant in it. But no different from another religion, it's easy to lean back and let the cantor do his thing.
Message:
Member Jean Hankin used the Torah text about the Israelites bringing gold, silver, mirrors and dyed woolen cloth to decorate the first tabernacle as the starting place for a history lesson on the Honolulu temple, and a plug for Jewish art week.
Mary Adamski covers religion for the Star-Bulletin.
Email her at madamski@starbulletin.com.
