Those lost in obscurity and in need of wellbeing, are always welcomed to Temple Sholom located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, where legacy of democratic, inclusive, loving faith along with a modern approach to Judaism is constantly accessible. Founded in 1867, Temple Sholom, a Reform Judaism congregation, is known as one of the oldest synagogues in Chicago. During this paper, I will analyze and deconstruct Temple Sholom’s reformed Judaism by applying my basic understanding of religious studies theories and categories only implementing from Temple Sholom’s website. I will continue to expand on their open approach through a psychological lens point of view of personal actualization that is developed through the result of the community’s activities, referencing their religious resurgence that demonstrates their relevance in today’s world of democratic activism and equality. Also expanding on their dynamic community of women and men of Temple Sholom that reflects gender construction. Regardless of who stands in power, the association remains as an accessible community for all that genuinely thrives and exhibits its pledge for value, education, and social equality that continues to face the diversely of practicing their individual self-sufficiency from the basis of awareness and engagement.
Members of Temple Sholom demonstrates a welcoming atmosphere along with a range of spiritual and social programming. The LGBQT community is usually looked down upon by other religious groups or negatively commented on, unlike Or Chadash at Temple Sholom where it welcomes all members who recognize themselves as part of the LGBQT community and explains Gods intention of equality and furthermore in their documented Torah. Or Chadash was founded in 1977 when it combined its community with Temple Sholom, providing the new community with educational programs, social activities, religious services, like same sex marriage along with continuous events. For example, the Temple conjoins with the annually Pride Parade in June bringing people together to celebrate all members of LGBQT. The Reform Movement constantly urges Jewish LGBQT organizations to spread awareness and information of issues identified with sexual orientation. Temple Sholom supports civil rights and equality for LGBQT individuals and against any discrimination towards cultural and political principles of sexual orientation and equality.
When speaking about the principle of equality, gender construction or, mutuality, it is also reflected upon as an important factor to their dynamic community of women and men part of Temple Sholom. Temple Sholom provides opportunity for both gender roles, where women are no longer categorized and are considered to be superior just like men. Their stories followed in the covenant has helped introduce equal gender role positions, empowering binary opposition and equal Jewish leadership roles. Temple Sholom does not compare men or women against each other, nor look at women as an accessory rather, the Temple offers groups for both women and men that introduce the wonders of sisterhood and brotherhood. The Women of Temple Sholom, encourages all women who are concerned, committed, compassionate, and care to all come together to learn and spread the positive impact that Temple Sholom offers while fighting for social justice, women issues, and increase impact worldwide of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). The Brotherhood at Temple Sholom encourages all Jewish men, of all ages to join their brotherhood, allowing them to explore all aspects of Judaism as they build their community. The history of Temple Sholom provides a welcoming atmosphere “for disenfranchised people of all faiths, creeds, and color”, especially in the mid 20th century when the community became larger “and several community groups developed, including youth groups, young couples’ groups, a sisterhood, and a society of professional working women” for the sole purpose of equity, education, and social justice.
Reform Judaism at Temple Sholom remains as an open, accessible community for all individuals, practicing their individual self-sufficiency from the basis of awareness and engagement that genuinely thrives and exhibits its pledge for value, education, and social equality. Temple Sholom’s website provided a welcoming congregation of secular forces and modernity as it defines characteristics of modern democratic societies while their religion constantly expands and adapts to new traditions and practices. The members of Temple Sholom focuses on the past, present, and future of the community, only hoping to better and adapt the religion with changing practice through their personal actualization, religious resurgence of democratic activism and equality, along with fair gender construction. Reform Judaism has always underlined the moral parts of Jewish tradition but has started implementing everything it once rejected, providing the “Reform Movement” as an adaptive modern, political twist. Reform Judaism implies as an open-minded, aware community allowing you to understand and better the world around you with new possibilities. Acceptance and open-mind is what Reform Judaism at Temple Sholom holds and accomplishes while many other religions and communities miss these differentiating factors. Deconstructing and analyzing Temple Sholom’s website I learned that having an open mind to all helps us view everyone equally as it betters oneself and challenges those around us to continue making better choices. Temple Sholom’s Rabbi Sacks states, “We are strong when we care for the weak, rich when we care for the poor, invulnerable when we care for the vulnerable” enforcing that Reform Judaism at Temple Sholom is a sacred community that really embraces, inspires, and matters.