A philosophy undergirds this document. Making it explicit at the outset may answer many later questions—questions of why a category is or is not included in the report and why a topic is or is not discussed. The philosophy is this: these additions to the CRG are based on the theory that Jewish congregations are both different from and similar to Christian ones. There is no need, however, to provide a “translation grammar” —a set of resources to explain Judaism or Jewish congregational culture to Christians. Any of the newer books examining the structure and intent of Jewish prayer would, for example, be useful in helping a Christian religious education class prepare for a trip to a synagogue. Nevertheless, to find and evaluate such resources is not the purpose of this project. We will address discrete sets of concerns as well as some overlapping ones. Different vocabularies will be employed to describe or address various problems and programs. The intention is that these resources be taken on their own merit, without being distorted by comparisons. It is hoped, of course, that all resources offered will prove useful to a wide spectrum of congregations.

This work presupposes the fundamental importance of congregations and the work they do. Resources have therefore been included because of their usefulness in helping congregations engage their greatest challenges. Resources that are not focused either directly or indirectly on congregations—books about Jewish day schools, for example—have been omitted.

There is much useful material in general publications as well. Such resources as Robert Bellah’s Habits of the Heart and the work of Cornel West on religion in the public square come to mind. While they may prove of great value to congregations (Jewish or otherwise), this report focuses on those resources that are specifically available by and for Jewish congregations. Some of these resources are accessible through other parts of the CRG, and we urge you to look for them there. We are working toward the day when they will be better categorized and more readily accessible.

-- Rabbi Sue Stone