Romemu

As an atheist I’m not big on religious services, except at Romemu. Romemu is a transcendent experience for me because it gives a sense of what Shabbat should mean: fellowship, love and peace. Romemu is inclusive of everyone: there are many LGBT people who I recognize from CBST, the LGBT synagogue. It is so inclusive it is the only synagogue where I routinely see many worshippers who do not appear to be of European descent. (Jews don’t traditionally welcome conversion or inter-​marriage so most congregrations are very white). There are people who look Asian-​American, Latino and always five to 10 people who appear to be of African descent so if you are a Jew of color you are definitely welcome. Romemu is part of the Jewish Renewal movement, which is a form of neo-​Hasidism. It takes the Hasidic emphasis on celebration, singing and joy into a progressive, egalitarian context where women are equal and people of all Jewish traditions and those of other faiths are fully welcomed. People dance or sway to the music and prayers without self-​consciousness. Rabbi Ingbar always says something fascinating. He is really a tzadik, as is Romemu.

Beautiful, inspiring Kabbalat Shabbat services. Definitely on the hippie side — people dancing, some almost dervishly but you are free to participate how you’d like — the musical accompaniment and the song leaders voice is amazing. Rabbi Ingberg is captivating and his d’vrei torah are interesting. Socially conscious in a progressive not preachy way. For someone who grew up in very boring Reform style services with a middling choir and mostly English, these services are awe inspiring.