A Declaration of Independence
by Rabbi Michael Beals, Temple Beth El
—
June 4, 2026
TEMPLE BETH EL DECLARES ITS INDEPENDENCE!
July 4, 1776
UNITED STATES DECLARES ITS INDEPENDENCE!
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America…
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
-–Declaration of Independence, signed in Philadelphia, PA, July 4, 1776
On a sweltering hot day in Newark, Delaware, on the seventh day of June, 2026, corresponding to the 22nd day of Sivan, 5786, a quorum of the members of Temple Beth El gathered in the social hall of their synagogue and voted unanimously to disaffiliate with the Reconstructionist Movement, declaring themselves to be, once and for all, an Independent Minyan.
Coming less than a month before the United States celebrates is 250th anniversary by issuing the Declaration of Independence, I could not help but notice that Temple Beth El and the United States’ histories seem to be dovetailing one another—independence is in the air!
“Independent minyanim remain among the most exciting and successful innovations in American Jewish life,” writes Jonathan Sarna, in his book, Empowered Judaism. “They are nurturing a new generation of Jewish leaders and worshipers and are stimulating new and sometimes controversial ideas—about Jewish prayer, Jewish community, and Jewish learning—that promise to have a long-lasting impact.”
The Jewish Yeshiva, Hadar, claims that since 2000, 100 Independent Minyanim have launched across the United States. These communities, populated largely—although not exclusively—by people under age 40, have redefined the possibilities of what an engaged Jewish life could look like.
In the strictest sense, Temple Beth El does not fit the classical definition of an Independent Minyan, which, according to Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, Executive Director
of Mechon Hadar and a Rosh Yeshiva (Rabbinic dean) of Yeshivat Hadar, must be: (1) volunteer-led and organized with no paid clergy; (2) no denomination/movement affiliation; and (3) founded in the previous 10 years.
I am the sole clergy leader of the synagogue, and I am paid, but the synagogue relies on an extraordinary level of unpaid, committed, and enthusiastic volunteers to get things done. These volunteers make up a large percentage of Temple Beth El. Although the synagogue is 80 years old, the conditions which led to its becoming an Independent Minyan are current. And due to the changing landscape of Jewish practice in America, Temple Beth El has thoughtfully shaken off its denominational/movement affiliation.
I once heard a rabbi say: “labels are for jeans, not Jews!” And that observation has never been truer for Temple Beth El. In a recent survey of the congregation, 50% of respondents defined themselves as Conservative, 16% as Orthodox,
16% as Reform, 6% as Traditional, 6% as Reconstructionist, and 6% as Other. So, the label “Reconstructionist” does not truly define who we are.
The problem of a synagogue calling itself “Orthodox” or
“Conservative” or “Reform” or, in our case, “Reconstructionist,” is that if you are looking for a Jewish spiritual home, and you don’t fall into one of these classic labels, then you won’t walk through the door. And as we rebuild the synagogue (up from 140 member families in 2024 to 175 families today, an increase of 25%), we want to remove every stumbling block that would prevent shul-shoppers, or Temple Beth El-returnees from checking out a weekly Shabbat or High Holy Day service.
What is more important than labels, are the core values Temple Beth El celebrates. At the top of the list is inclusivity. It is the primary reason why the shul chose to go down the path of Independence. The synagogue also remains absolutely committed to the welfare of Israelis and the State of Israel. The messaging from the Leadership of the Reconstructionist Movement was no longer in sync with the feelings of the majority of Temple Beth El members. Many members share the same moral concerns regarding current domestic and international Israeli government policies, but separate those concerns from a commitment to the State of Israel and its people. Finally, with a sense of strict financial accountability to congregants, the Board no longer felt the cost of membership in the Reconstructionist Movement was of value to its members.
The practice of democratic governance and complete transparency, a hallmark of the Reconstructionist Movement, continues to be baked into the DNA of Temple Beth El’s Board, and that will not change. And, regardless of its new status as an Independent Minyan, Temple Beth El will continue to maintain its traditions nurtured over decades, including being very welcoming to Interfaith Families. In our recent survey, while 74% of married respondents claimed to be married to a Jewish spouse, more than 20% responded that their spouse was not Jewish. In recognition of the large percentage of younger non-Jewish members of families who help Temple Beth El thrive, in a separate vote, the congregation created new opportunities for committee leadership, and board representation for non-Jewish members of the synagogue.
There are other innovations coming down the pike, starting with the new hire of a cutting-edge Cantorial Soloist, with one foot in the Rising Song Institute, who will help Temple Beth El grow spiritually, beginning with this year’s High Holy Days.
Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Independence as Temple Beth El marks its FIRST year as an Independent Minyan!
Remember . . . LABELS ARE FOR JEANS, NOT JEWS!
