What is ‘Visual T’filah’?

On Friday evening, May 20, we will worship using “Visual T’filah.”

“Visual T’filah” uses technology to associate familiar prayers with corresponding imagery (i.e. pairing the blessing for “God’s causing evening to fall” with an inspiring sunset; pairing “Mi Chamocha” with protective walls of water). When we combine this imagery with music and communal readings, we create a unique worship experience.

Rabbi Daniel Medwin created the “Visual T’filah” concept, and it is being used in Reform congregations from coast to coast, as well as at national conferences.

(Of note, last summer, Joel Guskin created a Power Point worship service, which enabled us to read excerpted English and Hebrew prayers, as well as chant and sing without being tied to our prayer books. Without our knowing it, this was an early version of our own “Visual T’filah!”)

With “Visual T’filah,” we are not copying the use of projection systems by mega-churches.

Both Christians and Jews are swimming in the same “technological ocean.”

Technology is neutral. Technology is a tool. We use it in classrooms and boardrooms. We use it as a form of entertainment with smart phones and i-pads. We use it as a means of communication, through e-mails, IMs and tweets.

Does it not make sense that we can use technology to communicate with God as a “k’hilah k’dosha,” a sacred community?

Our initial reaction may be, “Ugh!!!! What are you doing to my worship service?” But come and pray with us on Friday; our reaction just may be “wow!”

With his Masters HUC-JIR thesis, Rabbi Medwin reminds us that for generations, we have been using technology to enable “prayer to remain dynamic and meaningful to worshipers.”

At first, we could only express liturgy orally; worship leaders prayed from memory. Only the most literate were able to join in.

But in time, prayer diversity grew so large that we began to lose continuity, community to community. By the 9th century, writes Medwin, Rabbi Amran Gaon, was asked to communicate an official guide to worship. As a result, he lifted the ban on writing down the liturgy.

At first, most congregations only had one hand-written prayer book. But with the creation of the printing press — a neutral technological innovation — everything changed. Writes Medwin, “the printing press sharply reduced the cost of books, and eventually all members of the congregation were able to hold their own siddur (prayer book).”

Though not as technologically revolutionary as the printing press, “Visual T’filah” is a tool congregations can use to express their unique worship identities. As a means of inspiration, congregants can gaze upon the words and images on the screen, pray together and sing, heads held high — and still hold a prayer book. The familiar order of the service will remain the same, but Shabbat to Shabbat, the visual elements can change in order to increase the liturgy’s relevance and likelihood to inspire participants to greater heights.

In preparation for Shabbat worship, I invite you to learn more about “Visual T’filah.”

Do We Truly Support Our Youth?

Again and again, at temple programs and worship services, we claim to support our youth. We say we pride ourselves at how much we value our children, from Consecration to b’nai mitzvah ceremonies, from Israel Pilgrimage fundraisers to Confirmation.

But where were you last Friday night? Do you know what happened?

Last Friday night, Temple B’nai Israel confirmed seven students. But the number of congregants who celebrated the culmination of our youth’s education — the pivotal moment when they proclaimed their identitifcation with the Jewish people — was disappointingly low.

We may say we celebrate our youth. Last Friday evening, our actions proved those words to be hollow.

I wrote a comparable blog posting three years ago (May 15, 2008). What I wrote then applies today:

“As I looked out at the sanctuary, I was struck by how few congregants were present to watch the evening unfold. If I subtracted the confirmands’ parents, siblings and grandparents from those in attendance, the resulting number was embarrassing low.

“At the temple, we speak of how we are a family, how we support one another, how we are there for one another during times of sorrow and celebration. The reality of last Friday night was a stark contrast from this lofty vision.

“For the Confirmation students and their families, the event was still memorable and sweet. But how much more memorable and sweet could it have been if more congregants were present, expressing their support?”

So where were you last Friday night? You missed a wonderful Confirmation ceremony. You missed the prayers that the Confirmation students wrote, expressing their thanksgiving and their passion for Israel and Torah. You missed their inspirational words that communicated their commitment to Reform Judaism.

As a congregation, we need to do a better job of making sure our actions line up with our words. Do we truly support our youth? Let’s prove it.