The Emerging Spiritual Paradigm


 

Publication Date: June 2006

Publisher: JFL Media

Author(s): J. Shawn Landres

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Liberal Judaism; Values; Prayer Communities; Ritual Observance

Type: Brief

Abstract:

The author discusses a new type of Jewish spirituality currently popular amongst young American Jews which he dubs "Jewish Emergent" because of similarities to the recent Christian movement known as the Emerging Church. Jewish Emergent consists primarily of independent minyanim (prayer groups) and other types of congregation, the author explains, and the movement is characterized by traditional prayer and practice combined with a blurring of the boundaries of sacred and secular space. The author describes similarities and differences between this movement and the chavurah movement of the 1960s and 1970s.