Perhaps the most visibility the local Jewish congregation has seen in years surfaced recently in the aftermath of a national tragedy: a memorial service to mourn 11 people shot and killed at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“It’s very sad that the attention had to be for that reason — that there was a tragedy and we had the need for a memorial service,” said Paula Brummett, the president of Congregation Sha’arei Shalom in Columbus. “That’s the worst part of it all.
“But the idea of more than 200 people coming to such a service I think is absolutely amazing. It showed how much the support this community provides — and that’s no matter who we are. At a time when we needed to be together and to put our arms around one another — people were there, and that was just amazing.”
Brummett and Lesley Reuter, lay leaders of the local Sha’arei Shalom Reform Jewish Congregation, aim to build awareness and the overall strength and vitality of the body of believers that began here in 1969. Followers estimate that, at its peak, the congregation years ago included 40 to 45 families.
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It recent years, attendance at some monthly services held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus has been only 10 to 12 people among about 30 families. Brummett and Reuter stress that services are just as significant as ever, no matter the attendance.
Yet, they want others to know that the congregation exists, and extends a welcome to other Jews.
“It’s difficult in part because we don’t have our own building,” Brumett said. “But we are currently working on getting a sign out in front of the building (at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 7850 W. Goeller Road).”
The two leaders recently took time to answer questions — just before Hanukkah, which begins Sunday — about their campaign to boost awareness of the congregation.
What about the challenges of a smaller congregation such as yours? What’s the biggest obstacle?
Brummett: Lesley has mentioned that attendance for nearly all organized religions is down across the board in the country. And when it comes to smaller congregations, I think there is more impact (when attendance dips). And everything today is so digital. Kids often seem to be glued to their video and TV screens. It’s definitely a changing world — very different than the one Lesley and I grew up in. So just finding a way to get the word out is one of the biggest basic issues.
And we want people to know we are here, if they are interested.
Reuter: We recently walked in the Ethnic Expo parade with our banner. And we have a goal to have an information booth at some of the various fairs. We want to try to be out there a little more in the community and be more visible at community events.
Since Jews are only about 2 percent of the national population, I think our numbers here have been pretty appropriate.
What do you want people to know about the congregation?
Brummett: We’re the only congregation of Judaism here. We’re a reformed Jewish congregation. But we’re not just that. We want to reach out to everybody. We’re actually here for anyone seeking a Jewish experience, whether they are Jewish or not. We don’t turn away anyone.
We just want to let people know that our doors are open and they are welcome. A lot of times, there are people with a Jewish grandfather, or some other Jewish relative, though the person themselves was not brought up that way. They may think, “Well, I’m not Jewish, so I’m not welcome (at the Columbus congregation). But that’s not true at all.
Where are local followers of Judaism going to worship if not here?
Reuter: I think there probably are some who are going to Indianapolis, or Bloomington, or maybe they’re just not going at all. And just like the fact that some Christians are not going to church, some Jews are not going to synagogue. And some people come maybe once or twice a year for the high holidays such as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.
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Meets: Monthly at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus building at 7850 W. Goeller Boulevard.
Next services: Dec. 7 and Jan. 18.
Formed locally: In 1969 with about 40 adults and children. Rabbi Myron Kinberg, a student at Hebew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, led the congregation initially, according to The Republic archives.
For Hanukkah: A planned upcoming celebration. Those interested may contact president Paula Brumett at 812-569-1877 or vice president Lesley Reuter at 812-250-9423 for more information.
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