When my wife and I first moved to Napa in the 90’s we quickly discovered that the Valley was inhabited with Jews of all sorts. There was not really an interest on our part to get involved with Congregation Beth Sholom (CBS) at the time even thought Rabbi White was someone I grew up with since he was the uncle of my best friend in High School. Rabbi White even grew up in the same youth movement as I did (Young Judaea) and much of his service was familiar to me in style and conten,t yet because of our age and our focus, (career and each other) we were not out searching for spirituality. Overtime marriage and children became the impetus for our searching out spirituality – Rabbi White married us and our first born (a boy) had his Pidyon Haben at CBS.

Still there was a part of me that was not keen to be a part of an institutional Judaism. I had basically grown up in the “Conservative System” and felt like it had stripped much of what it could have offered up in the form of spirituality. My wife and I were looking for something else – something that was created and run by the participants. There were other like minded Jews in Napa, those that felt like CBS was not the place for them or that they needed some supplement to what CBS had to offer. The model we used was simple – we met once a month at each other’s homes for Friday Night services and a potlock and whomever was the hosting the service lead it (with everyone chipping in as best we could).

To be clear none of use were Jewish Scholars and everyone had their own style for services. I tended to want to have a learning service while others varied from more traditional services to chanting services (more meditative). Kids were welcome and encouraged and we had the services with all the craziness (and wonderfulness) that having them around involved. For a while we were in bliss. These services were something I looked forward too and would talk about eagerly with friends. I remember having talked to close college friends and the concern in their eyes that we had somehow joined a cult. We had many memorable services at some beautiful homes throughout the Napa Valley. The settings were gorgeous and the energy we created was amazing. We had created Chavurat Napa and we reveled in our creation.

So what happened? Chavurat Napa in its original makeup is no more. Well in my analysis several things brought down the Chavurah from its pinnacle of greatness.

First, was constant pressure from CBS to bring the Chavurah into the synagogue fold. That our presence was somehow taking away from the Jewish Experience in Napa and that we needed to put our efforts into unifying the Jews of Napa rather than splitting the up (remember this is my perspective and I how I saw it – whether correct or incorrect).

Secondly, a majority of Chavurat members wanted to bring in “experts” to lead services. To me this is what killed the Chavurah for me. As soon as I moved from leading to just participating and being part of the audience the experience deteriorated. We soon were paying for our Jewish Experience. It felt like I was back into institutional Judaism where you supported the Synagogue and occasionally go to watch the show.

So where am I now? I look back fondly at those days of Chavurat Napa though I am not sure I have the energy at the moment to try to recreate it. We are firmly ensconced in CBS and our Kids attend the hebrew school and sunday school. I attend Friday Night services but rarely (my Wife more frequently) and of course I attend synagogue on High Holidays. Firmly back in the hands of institutional Judaism.

As a final note – I share this with you so you can share your own experiences and comment on what I see is part of the Jewish Condition for many. I firmly believe that I am where I am because of my own actions and only through my own actions will I be able to re-experience the magic that was Chavurat Napa.

Now discuss amongst yourself and leave your comments.

Thanks

Louis