Language:
English
Year of publication:
2022
Titel der Quelle:
Contemporary Jewry
Angaben zur Quelle:
42,2 (2022) 315-336
Keywords:
Modern Orthodox Judaism movement
;
Judaism Customs and practices 21st century
;
History
;
Synagogues Social aspects
;
Dinners and dining Religious aspects
;
Judaism
Abstract:
This article is a cultural analysis of the "Kiddush Club" ritual conducted in many Modern Orthodox synagogues in the Western world. Before the Shabbat Mussaf prayer, several men leave the service to drink whiskey and socialize in a side room during the Haftarah reading from the prophets and the rabbi's sermon. Afterwards, the Kiddush Club members return to the sanctuary for the Mussaf prayer. What are the purposes of this ritual? Why do many Rabbis ban it? To what extent do Kiddush Clubs undermine the order of the Modern Orthodox synagogue? The article addresses those questions by situating the Kiddush Club ritual and the rabbinic debate surrounding it in a historical context and offers a sociological analysis of the practice as part of modern men's clubs. It demonstrates that the Kiddush Club is a significant practice for community formation, and it’s less innovative, less Ashkenazi and less provocative than appears at first sight.
DOI:
10.1007/s12397-022-09453-y
URL:
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