Jewish renewal is a worldwide, transdenominational movement grounded in Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions.  Jewish renewal carries forward Judaism’s perpetual process of renewal.  Renewal honors the important and unique role of each denomination but does not seek to become a denomination. Because of the emphasis on direct spiritual experience, mystical or Kabbalistic teachings, Jewish Renewal is sometimes referred to as Neo-Hasidic or Four Worlds Judaism (a reference to the "four worlds" of Jewish mysticism). While we seek to restore the spiritual vitality characteristics of the Hasidic movement of pre-war Europe, we believe that Judaism is an evolving religious civilization. This differentiates us from the Baal Tshuvah movement, which we refer to as Restorationist.

 

Jewish renewal seeks to bring creativity, relevance, joy, and an all embracing awareness to spiritual practice, as a path to healing our hearts and finding balance and wholeness—tikkun halev.

Jewish renewal acts to fully include all Jews and to respect all peoples.

Jewish renewal helps to heal the world by promoting justice, freedom, responsibility, caring for all life and the earth that sustains all life —tikkun olam.

Not really. Jewish Renewal is sometimes referred to as "New Age" by people who do not know that meditation, dance, chant, and mysticism have been present in Judaism throughout the ages and not, as some mistakenly believe, patched onto Judaism from other cultures. Sadly, some of authentic, time-honored Jewish beliefs and practices have been lost leaving many unaware of them. This is a major reason why so many spiritually sensitive Jews seek spiritual expression in other faiths. We revive the "hidden" treasures of Judaism and make them accessible to seekers.

Paradigm shifts in Judaism go back as far as the deconstruction of the Second Temple (70 CE)? and the transition from the Priestly Judaism of the Temple Cult to the Rabbinic tradition that has evolved to today. Other major shifts occurred in response to the upheavals such as the Expulsion from Spain, the Enlightenment, the founding of the Hasidic movement, the emergence of Reform/post-halachic Judaism, the trauma of the Holocaust. The current movement of Jewish Renewal traces its roots to the Havurah, feminism and other late 20th century phenomena, but primarily to the work of Rabbis Shlomo Carlebach (z'l) and Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Both Reb Shlomo and Reb Zalman were trained in the Lubavitch Hasidic movement and later left it to found their own institutions, ordain their own students and plant the seeds of Renewal worldwide. ALEPH is the outgrowth of B'nai Or Religious Fellowship, founded by Reb Zalman in 1962.

You may read Godwrestling, Round 2, by R. Arthur Waskow to learn about the chronicle of the history of Jewish Renewal. He is also the author of Seasons of Our Joy and Down to Earth Judaism.