Two Massachusetts synagogues will join forces as Wayland’s Ma’yan Tikvah – A Wellspring of Hope, MetroWest’s home for outdoor Judaism, becomes part of Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley in Sudbury.
With the impending retirement of Rabbi Katy Allen, the Ma’yan Tikvah leadership looked to find a Jewish home for their former members that emphasizes tikkun olam (repairing the world), Torah study, music, arts, inclusion, and lifelong Jewish learning as well as connection to the natural world. Once they met with the leadership of Congregation Beth El, it became evident to Ma’yan Tikvah that this was a good fit.
“It was clear from the start that Beth El would welcome and embrace Ma’yan Tikvah’s outdoor programming, for both children and adults,” said Rabbi Katy. “We are delighted with plans for outdoor programming for the Beth El Hebrew school students and regular Shabbat nature walks and other outdoor programs.”
The blending will be official on June 30 but is already taking place, as Ma’yan Tikvah’s appreciation of nature is already being incorporated into Beth El’s school programming.
“It’s been such a delight to see Beth El and Ma’yan Tikvah members coming together in recent weeks,” said Beth El Rabbi Josh Breindel. “Together, we’ve taken Shabbat walks in the woods, made ice cream at a goat farm, and studied some of the many ways that a Jewish life calls us to embrace Creation. Seeing students from both communities learning, laughing, and growing together has been a true pleasure. I’m excited for the journey ahead as we build a shared kehillah (community) rooted in Torah, nature, tikkun olam, and joy!”
“After meeting the Beth El leadership, it quickly became apparent that they were much like us, but with a building. And as such, it became clear that we were already joined in direction, culture, and passion, and the rest was just logistics,” said Ma’yan Tikvah President Jessica Levenson.
“The entire Beth El congregation welcomes members of Ma’yan Tikvah into our community, and we look forward to learning from them and with them in the coming year,” Beth El President Jerry Kazin said.
