Michael Shields

By NATHAN HARTLE
DavidsonNews.net

The Lake Norman Jewish Congregation has chosen Michael Shields, a 29-year-old native of Chappaqua, N.Y., and a recent graduate Hebrew Union College in New York, as its first full-time rabbi.

Rabbi Shields started the job this summer. “We knew it was a pretty good match from the start,” he said.

The congregation’s president, Slade Goldstein, echoed Rabbi Shields’ excitement. “I am very happy, and our congregation is very happy, to have him.”

The Lake Norman Jewish Congregation follows Reform Judaism. It grew out of a larger Lake Norman area Jewish group that was founded a decade ago, but split in summer 2006 into Reform and and Conservative congregations. (The Conservative Beth Shalom of Lake Norman recently announced a partnership that will allow it to hold regular services at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson.)

Rabbi Shields describes the group as a “young congregation in a growing area.” It currently holds services in Mooresville’s Fair View United Methodist Church, on N.C. 115, and consists of over 70 member families.

The congregation eventually would like to build its own synagogue, preferably in Davidson, which Mr. Goldstein feels is “the geographic center of our population.” Having its own building would allow the congregation to continue to serve the local Jewish population, as Rabbi Shields puts it, “for decades to come.”

Rabbi Shields has many ideas and hopes for his new congregation. He sees the current lack of a building as a chance for the group to explore its identity. “Not having a building lets us focus on [meeting] the needs of every single member…to grow together, to create traditions together,” he said.

“Our mantra is: all are welcome. We have to be as diverse as the population that comes to [us]. People pray and ‘are Jewish’ in different ways.”

Among the differences between Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism is the Reform Movement’s belief that in order to be considered Jewish, a person needs only to share the faith and have one Jewish parent of either gender. Conservative Jews believe that one can only be Jewish if one’s mother was Jewish.

Lack of Jewish ancestry should not discourage anyone from attending, Rabbi Shields says. He emphasizes his belief that “simply because you exist, you deserve a community. God loves you and this community loves you, unconditionally.”

“The most important thing for [this community] is the opportunity to educate. We can help people learn. … Judaism is about learning and teaching.”

Currently the congregation holds monthly Shabbat ceremonies as well as all the usual holiday celebrations. They have religious education classes for children and plan classes for adults as well. Religious programs and social activities will expand according to the level of interest. The congregation is “young and playful,” Rabbi Shields says, and is willing to experiment to draw people in.

Mr. Goldstein and his congregation found Rabbi Shields at a conference designed to match rabbis with congregations in need. Through an interview process that Rabbi Shields describes as “like speed dating,” the hopeful rabbi was interviewed by representatives from many congregations. This was followed by an on-site interview with the Lake Norman congregation’s leadership, after which arrangements were finalized.

Rabbi Shields feels privileged to have the job. “For me there is something about learning and teaching…helping people see that their faith can help them lead their best lives.” It is his own faith, of course, that has brought him to this place. “The language of my soul is Judaism.”

Lake Norman Jewish Congregation

Phone: (704) 987-9980

Web: www.lakenormanjc.org

Shabbat services are held on the third Friday of each month, from 7 p.m. to approximately 8 p.m. at the Fair View United Methodist Church, N.C. 115 across from Mount Mourne Elementary School, Mooresville.

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#1 Comment By Michael Shields On August 9, 2008 @ 9:02 pm