Podcast: Jack Wertheimer on the New American Synagogue

This Week’s Guest: Jack Wertheimer

In the first two episodes of our three-part podcast series with Jack Wertheimer, the eminent historian of American Jewish life has spoken about a Judaism of “peak moments.” Most American Jews, as we’ve seen, connect to their faith at a small number of important dates and life transitions—the High Holy Days, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, and the like. In this week’s final episode, Wertheimer zooms in on the place where so many of these peak moments take place: the synagogue.

American synagogues are right now going through major changes, from the liturgy used within them, to the choreography of synagogue services, to the nature and preferences of attendees. Liberal Jewish shuls are working hard to engage congregants on a more regular basis, from hosting musical “rock shabbat” services to creating a more informal atmosphere in the sanctuary. On the other end of the religious spectrum, the Orthodox, even as they remain fastidiously observant of Jewish law, are doing their part to link up with the unengaged non-Orthodox through a massive network of outreach organizations.