Page 19 - Jewish News _August 2021_

COMMUNITY FOCUS August 2021 19A

When a synagogue closes its doors

Congregation Ner Tamid bids a fond farewell to the Bradenton community.

By Rabbi Barbara Aiello
ongregation Ner Tamid board member also cites the 2020 Pew Re- istic Judaism to our group,” says a Ner distributing ritual items and prayer
member David Jacobson said search report that states that a mere Tamid member. “I remember how she books to other Jewish groups, finding
Cit well: “The best thing about 12% of Jewish Americans say they at- would say ‘labels are for the jelly jar, a new home for the Torah ark, and re-
our little congregation was being able tend synagogue services weekly, while not the Jews!’ We were open and wel- turning the borrowed Torah scroll to
to provide for the needs of the Jewish a whopping 52% report that for them coming to everyone.” the Miami congregation that so gener-
population in Bradenton and being synagogue attendance is “seldom” or In a recent article on why syna- ously loaned it to Ner Tamid where it
supportive for all of their life-cycle “never.” gogues are merging (9/4/2018, For- was used for almost 20 years.
events – Jewish education, Bar and Bat Statistics aside, when a synagogue ward), journalist Haley Cohen’s In a letter to members, President
Mitzvah, weddings and funerals – all at closes its doors, it is not only a sad day observations are germane to syna- Mittler admonished everyone. “No
an affordable cost.” for the remaining members, it gives gogue closings as well. Cohen notes tears. We can be proud of Ner Tamid’s
When asked why the congregation pause to the surrounding Jewish com- that many rabbis believe that denomi- many accomplishments, from our
disbanded, Jacobson says, “We were munity as well. national lines are blurring. In fact, one humble beginnings as a chavurah to
thriving when we had a large popula- “Ner Tamid served Bradenton’s “merged” rabbi emphasizes that, “It full-fledged congregation status.”
tion of young families. As the children Jewish families for 19 years,” says makes for a much more meaningful Ju- Ner Tamid pioneered acceptance
went off to college, we didn’t see them lay leader and Rabbinic Associate daism not to pigeonhole yourself.” and appreciation of diversity, wel-
returning to the congregation. This, Rena Morano, whose Jewish knowl- But if a pluralistic approach to Ju- comed interfaith and non-tradition-
coupled with the fact that there weren’t edge and creative application of Jew- daism, much like the Ner Tamid exper- al families, focused on social justice
many new families that showed an in- ish traditions brought together dozens iment, might be the salvation for some through community service, and ex-
terest in joining, led to the decline of of Jewish members and non-Jewish synagogues, it was the pandemic that tended the hand of Jewish welcome to
the congregation.” members of the community for events broadened the denominational base all. Kol HaKavod.
Jacobson’s assessment rings true that broadened understanding, cooper- and gave “synagogue shopping” new Rabbi Barbara Aiello served Congre-
not only for Ner Tamid but for the ation and appreciation among Manatee meaning. “With a click of the mouse gation Ner Tamid as its founding rab-
hundreds of synagogues nationwide County residents of all faiths. you could find any service you want- bi and advisor for 19 years, where she
that have either merged or closed their Board President Elaine Mittler re- ed,” said a Ner Tamid old-timer, “and initiated a number of interfaith events
doors. calls, “Ner Tamid had a lasting impact you didn’t have to leave the house. and created the Shabbat at Table Fri-
According to an almost 20-year- on our community. We partnered with People got in the habit of staying home day night service. As rabbi of the
old study by the American Jewish Our Daily Bread to feed homeless men and away from crowds. Especially for southern Italian synagogue, Ner Tamid
Committee, in 2002 there were 3,727 and women, we contributed blankets older people, it might be hard to get del Sud, she developed a “sister syna-
synagogues in the United States. In and backpacks to migrant workers, and them back.” gogue” program that encouraged both
a recent survey, researchers found we crocheted caps for cancer patients. For Bradenton’s Ner Tamid, the congregations to welcome b’nei anu-
that nearly 120 U.S. synagogues had We presented educational programs on pandemic exacerbated the congrega- sim/ crypto-Jews into their respective
merged while more than 350 shuls had Jewish history and culture, and brought tion’s difficulty and hastened the in- synagogue families.
closed completely. religious services and holiday celebra- evitable. In June, the board made the
“If you’re surprised, don’t be,” tions to residents at assisted living fa- difficult decision to disband, which Send your comments and
says a Ner Tamid member who notes cilities.” included donating remaining funds to Letters to the Editor to
that the pandemic also played a part in “Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Rabbinic JFCS of the Suncoast and The Jew- jewishnews@jfedsrq.org.
the congregation’s closing. This same Advisor, brought the concept of Plural- ish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee,

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