In-person workshop on music in the prayer book led by Rabbi Or Zohar. This workshop was available virtually through Zoom.
On Sunday, March 14, 2021, Hebrew Union College hosted a public Academic Symposium at the Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem to celebrate the publication of the new Israeli Reform Siddur, Tfillat HaAdam (תפילת האדם: סידור רפורמי ישראלי). The Siddur was edited by two members of HUC’s Jerusalem faculty: Rabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D., Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash, and Rabbi Alona Lisitsa, Ph.D., head of internships and mentoring for the Israel Rabbinical Program and Professor of Rabbinic Texts and Liturgy. The Symposium was organized by Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, Director of the Israel Rabbinical Program, and guests were invited to participate on Zoom.
“Editing the siddur was moving and exciting,” reflected Rabbi Marx. “It is a great gift we are giving Israeli society to offer a new way to see ourselves as authentic Jews. We tried to incorporate both traditional and radical aspects of Reform siddurim.”
Virtual workshop led by Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman on the art of translation.
Sunday’s Symposium included panels and workshops with topics including Poetry as Liturgy, the Art of Translation, Music and Prayer, personal prayer, and more.
“The festive conference showcases HUC as a source of inspiration for Israeli society that constantly renews the face of modern Judaism,” shared Rabbi Avnon-Benveniste. “The many participants who studied and participated in our wide variety of lectures, workshops, and panels showed great interest in the renewed prayer book as it constitutes the ancient traditions of the Jewish prayer, while reflecting the voices of this time and its hopes, fractures, and shades of Jews in Israel and worldwide.”
The new Israeli Reform Siddur is a project of MARAM, the Council of Israeli Reform Rabbis, in cooperation with the Israel Reform Movement and HUC’s Taube Family Campus. Rabbi Yehoyada Amir, Ph.D., Professor of Jewish Thought, played a key role in advancing the Siddur when he was chair of MARAM.
The conference concluded with a Tefilah led by the Israel Rabbinical students.
Leading activists of the Israeli Reform Movement have described the book as an incredible milestone which is generating excitement throughout Israeli society. Tfillat HaAdam reflects the incredible growth, strength, and acceptance of our Movement by more and more Israelis.
The Tfillat HaAdam siddur cover.
Learn more about Tfillat HaAdam here.
Hear more about the siddur through this interview.