Foreword
The Assembly of Masorti Synagogues is proud to publish Darkenu – The Masorti Vision. Originally penned by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg it has been written in full co-operation with the other Rabbis of our movement who have played an integral part in its composition. In my visits to communities throughout Britain, the questions most frequently posed to me are ‘What is Masorti?’ and ‘How does Masorti differ from other strands of Judaism?’ These are difficult questions to answer, since we are a movement that validates a multi faceted approach to Jewish practice. We further embrace the difficult yet ultimately cohesive approach of combining a commitment to Halachah in the light of modern scholarship. Since we stand for an approach that encourages inquiry and debate Darkenu does not attempt to describe an all encompassing system of religious life. We aim rather to provoke discussion and engage in exploration in order to strengthen our Jewish identity through Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Hasadim. It is our intention to use this document in the series of seminars ‘Continuing the Quest’ commencing in February 2003. The answer to our questions comes through our searching. May that search be fruitful and leshem shamayim – for the sake of heaven.
Michael Gluckman
Executive Director
Cheshvan 5763/November 2002
