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Rabbi Amnon Ribak 47 Yitzhak Rabin |
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About
The Ma’alot Tivon Reform congregation was originally founded in 1973, in Kiryat Tivon, a beautiful small town in northern Israel, close to the Jezreel Valley and to Haifa. It was originally called “Kehila Chadasha” (“A New Congregation”) and was founded by immigrants from North America, who were later joined by Israelis of diverse origins. The congregation joined the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) nine years after its establishment. Ma’alot Tivon enjoys strong cooperation with the local authority, and is actively engaged in town-wide social and cultural life. After many years in temporary quarters, the local council allocated a plot of land for the congregation, and a building which serves as both a synagogue and center for additional activities. These serve both congregation members as well as the wider community in Kiryat Tivon and the surrounding area.
Activities and News
Services and Ceremonies
Ma’alot Tivon holds Kabbalat Shabbat Services every Friday night, and occasionally Shaharith services on Saturday mornings. Every 6 weeks we carry Toddler’s Shabbat for young families. We celebrate all the Jewish and Israeli festivals, including a communal Second Seder at Passover, a Seder Tu Bishvat, and all topped by our legendary ‘Purimshpil’. We conduct around 20-25 Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies each year, which brings many first-timers within our gates. The congregation has approximately 40 regular paying members, and over 50 “Chaverey Lev” (‘members in heart’) who support us with small annual fees. Additionally, many affiliated residents of Kiryat Tivon attend religious and cultural events on a random basis – on the High Holidays some 100-150 worshippers are present. Rabbi Amnon Ribak also officiates life circle events (Birth, Circumcision, Weddings, Funerals, Memorial Services).
Study Groups
The congregation runs a weekly Beit Midrash group for adult members and the general public as part of the “929 initiative” and also holds courses preparing youngsters for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. An additional Beit Midrash is planned for 2022, for young adults.
Cultural Events
Throughout the year, Ma’alot Tivon holds a rich variety of cultural events that are open both to members and to the general public. Examples of these: musical events with local or visiting musicians, special lectures for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Lag B’Omer storytelling, Sunrise Ceremony on Israel Independence Day on the hill above ancient Beit Shearim, Tashlich ceremony on the banks of the Kishon River, and a biweekly “Café Kehila” in which members share their interests and talents. We also offer our venue to concerts and shows during the two annual local festivals (“November Balconies” and “Sheikh Abreik”).
Charitable Activities and Tikkun Olam
The congregation participates in food collection for needy families every Passover (Kamcha D’ Pascha), in cooperation with the Reform Movement and/or the local Kiryat Tivon council. Ma’alot Tivon representatives also lead Shabbat Services for special needs adults in the neighboring Kfar Tikva institution, and volunteers give lectures on the weekly Torah portion in local elderly homes.
Inter-Religious/Diversity Activities
Ma’alot Tivon believes in the adage “Seek Peace and Pursue It”. We hold interreligious ceremonies and meetings designed to bring people from different religions together to promote understanding, dialogue and mutual respect. A diverse women’s group holds ongoing cultural and social activities for Arab and Jewish women from our area.
Strengthening Ties with the Diaspora
Since its beginning, Ma’alot Tivon has sought to establish a dialogue and strengthen ties with the Jewish community abroad. One such project was a youth exchange program called “Echad Al Echad” (“One on One”) for teenagers from the USA and Israel, in cooperation with the Jewish Community in Chicago. A current project takes place online, with bi-weekly Zoom meetings with Main Line Reform Temple in Pennsylvania, in which we study together and share our experiences and opinions and discuss relevant current events.
Activities during the Covid-19 Pandemic
In response to the changing reality of the COVID-19 virus, Ma’alot Tivon continues to hold activities, while striving to maintain the safety and health of all members. Weather permitting, we hold outdoor services in our lovely outdoor garden space, “Gan Gavriel”, or inside, with a limited number of members, wearing face masks and keeping social distancing. Many ‘hybrid’ services offer the opportunity to join via Zoom to the services that take place at the synagogue.
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