FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS1. What does 'Makom' mean?
Makom in Hebrew means 'place'. Makom is a place for suburban Jews to find a new and different kind of Jewish community on Long Island. 2. How is Makom NY different from a synagogue? Although Makom NY has some of the same kinds of programs that a typical synagogue might have, Makom NY is not a synagogue; rather it is a new model for an intergenerational Jewish intentional community. We are a pluralistic and non-denominational community and welcome people from all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. 3. Are there membership dues to join Makom? No. Makom NY does not function with a typical membership model that would include dues and a building fund. All individuals and families are welcome to attend worship services and participate in our diverse programming. We welcome and encourage your financial support, though the amounts are voluntary. Everyone who participates in any way in Makom is considered to be part of Chevrei Makom, friends of Makom. Our programs have suggested donation levels on a fee-for-service model. As part of our Year 3 Re-launch we have established a new way for people to become part of our Shorashim program, planting ‘roots’ to ensure a solid financial future for Makom. We are encouraging people to support the Makom community and its programs with a minimum monthly or annual donation. Please click HERE for more information on how you can support the Makom community. 4. How does Makom NY function as a community without required membership or dues? Our hope is that people will continue to donate to Makom, both on a fee-for-service model and at the deeper level of Shorashim. We believe that, as people see the value and impact of Makom NY for themselves and their families, they will choose to help support Makom NY by giving monthly or annual donations that will help us to secure the future of Makom NY. 5. I am not religious. How will I fit into Makom? Makom NY strives to help participants discover new ways to experience the beauty and wisdom of Judaism through exploring your own personal needs, whatever that may be for the individual or family. People seek to join a Jewish community for many different reasons: cultural, social, religious and much more; Makom NY meets people where they are. As part of our Year 3 Re-launch, we are committed to helping individuals to flourish, using Judaism as the vehicle for flourishing. Please click HERE to explore this further. 6. I am an ‘empty nester’. Is there a place for me within Makom? Absolutely. The ‘Empty Nester’ makes up a large contingent of the Makom NY community. We acknowledge that there are many people in our region who ‘used to belong’ to a traditional synagogue and, for various reasons, are seeking something new or different. We welcome everyone, and as we grow we will continually offer programming for the emerging needs of our community members at different stages of life. 7. Does Makom offer adult learning opportunities? Yes. Opportunities for both formal and informal Jewish learning and study are offered. This includes monthly Rosh Chodesh groups for women, weekly Torah Study, Hebrew Classes and Shabbat afternoon learning followed by Havdalah. As our community grows we will continue to offer programming that meets the stated needs of our participants. 8. What types of Jewish cultural programming are available at Makom? Makom NY offers diverse Jewish cultural arts programming - music, Jewish-themed movies, a Jewish Book Club and Jewish holiday cooking are just some of the most successful programming. We welcome our participants’ input in what Makom NY can offer. |
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WORSHIP
9. Where are services held?
Makom NY creates sacred space through the power of the community rather than through the permanence of a single building. Our programming occurs in varied locations and spaces, as varied as the holidays and events we celebrate. For our monthly musical Shabbt services, we seek intentional spiritual spaces that welcome everyone. Our Shabbat services are currently held at the Bethpage Worship Center (formerly the Bethpage Jewish Community Center). Our 2017 High Holy Day services will also be held at the Bethpage Worship Center, 600 Broadway, Bethpage.
In June, July and August, we hold casual Shabbat-in-the-Park services at the pavilion of the Plainview/Old Bethpage Park in Plainview. For other Shabbatot and minor holidays, we hold services in the homes of our Rabbi, of Makom NY friends or in public spaces.
10. How much do High Holy Day services cost?
High Holy Day services can either be paid with a fee-for-service payment, or are included if you choose to engage as one of our Shorashim, with a minimum monthly or annual donation. More details will be on the website shortly HERE.
11. Does Makom have a Torah?
Yes. We believe the presence of a Torah is crucial to being a Jewish community.
Makom NY creates sacred space through the power of the community rather than through the permanence of a single building. Our programming occurs in varied locations and spaces, as varied as the holidays and events we celebrate. For our monthly musical Shabbt services, we seek intentional spiritual spaces that welcome everyone. Our Shabbat services are currently held at the Bethpage Worship Center (formerly the Bethpage Jewish Community Center). Our 2017 High Holy Day services will also be held at the Bethpage Worship Center, 600 Broadway, Bethpage.
In June, July and August, we hold casual Shabbat-in-the-Park services at the pavilion of the Plainview/Old Bethpage Park in Plainview. For other Shabbatot and minor holidays, we hold services in the homes of our Rabbi, of Makom NY friends or in public spaces.
10. How much do High Holy Day services cost?
High Holy Day services can either be paid with a fee-for-service payment, or are included if you choose to engage as one of our Shorashim, with a minimum monthly or annual donation. More details will be on the website shortly HERE.
11. Does Makom have a Torah?
Yes. We believe the presence of a Torah is crucial to being a Jewish community.
CLERGY
12. Does Makom have a Rabbi? If so, who is it?
Our community’s founder and spiritual leader is Rabbi Deborah Bravo. Please click HERE to read more about Rabbi Bravo.
13. I didn’t even know the Rabbi at my former synagogue. Will I have the opportunity to connect with the clergy of Makom NY?
Absolutely! At the heart of Makom NY is community, and we work hard to facilitate our participants getting to know other members of our community. Rabbi Bravo personally meets and gets to know every Makom family, learn about your backgrounds and experiences, and understand what you are seeking to experience within Makom.
14. Will the Rabbi officiate at my child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Yes. This is included in the B’nai Mitzvah preparation fee.
15. Does Makom NY have a cantor?
At Makom NY, we believe in the transcendent power of music to enable connection and spirituality. Music is an essential part of our worship experience, and our community includes a number of accomplished musicians. For High Holy Day services and other special programming throughout the year, we have guest Cantors and Cantorial Soloists.
16. Is the Rabbi available for Life Cycle events such as weddings, baby namings, funeral services or shiva?
Yes. Officiating at Life Cycle events is an important aspect of the mission and purpose of Makom NY and its community.
Our community’s founder and spiritual leader is Rabbi Deborah Bravo. Please click HERE to read more about Rabbi Bravo.
13. I didn’t even know the Rabbi at my former synagogue. Will I have the opportunity to connect with the clergy of Makom NY?
Absolutely! At the heart of Makom NY is community, and we work hard to facilitate our participants getting to know other members of our community. Rabbi Bravo personally meets and gets to know every Makom family, learn about your backgrounds and experiences, and understand what you are seeking to experience within Makom.
14. Will the Rabbi officiate at my child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Yes. This is included in the B’nai Mitzvah preparation fee.
15. Does Makom NY have a cantor?
At Makom NY, we believe in the transcendent power of music to enable connection and spirituality. Music is an essential part of our worship experience, and our community includes a number of accomplished musicians. For High Holy Day services and other special programming throughout the year, we have guest Cantors and Cantorial Soloists.
16. Is the Rabbi available for Life Cycle events such as weddings, baby namings, funeral services or shiva?
Yes. Officiating at Life Cycle events is an important aspect of the mission and purpose of Makom NY and its community.
EDUCATION
17. Where will Moadon (religious school) education classes for children meet?
Moadon – literally a ‘lounge’, is Makom’s unique version of Religious School. Our 3rd – 6th graders meet weekly, and our 7th graders meet twice monthly, at the Bethpage Worship Center in beautiful new spaces that have been transformed into Learning Lounges. Our K-2 students and our teens meet at a private home in Woodbury. Please click HERE for more details on our Moadon.
18. Who are the educators?
Rabbi Bravo and Sherry Gutes, in conjunction with experienced and qualified master Jewish educators, teach our students.
19. What about Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Makom?
In the year prior to becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah, children study one-on-one with the Rabbi and/or Jewish educator weekly for 30 minutes lessons. This preparation is individually focused, taking into consideration each child’s learning style and needs as well as the family’s desires and interests. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony can take place in the sanctuary of the Bethpage Worship Center or at a venue of your choice.
20. What if my child has never attended Hebrew School?
All students are welcome to begin learning at Makom at any time, and will be properly prepared for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Rabbi will assess each child's level of skills/knowledge when beginning their studies and determine the length of time needed for preparation. For children who are older students with little or no formal learning experiences in their background, their ceremonies may need to be scheduled at a date past their 13th birthday in order to ensure that they are appropriately prepared for the service.
21. Where will my child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah take place?
Each family will determine the venue that best suits their needs, and is responsible for the costs of securing that location for the service. We work with each family to determine what might be best for them. We have numerous venues with whom we have a good working relationship, including the sanctuary at the Bethpage Worship Center and the Kotel (‘around the corner’ from the Western Wall in Jerusalem). We are flexible as to the time and location of your service and celebration, whether it’s your home or backyard, the beach or any other creative venue.
22. How much does the Children’s Moadon (Learner's Lounge) cost?
For the 2017-2018 academic year, the fees are:
Moadon – literally a ‘lounge’, is Makom’s unique version of Religious School. Our 3rd – 6th graders meet weekly, and our 7th graders meet twice monthly, at the Bethpage Worship Center in beautiful new spaces that have been transformed into Learning Lounges. Our K-2 students and our teens meet at a private home in Woodbury. Please click HERE for more details on our Moadon.
18. Who are the educators?
Rabbi Bravo and Sherry Gutes, in conjunction with experienced and qualified master Jewish educators, teach our students.
19. What about Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Makom?
In the year prior to becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah, children study one-on-one with the Rabbi and/or Jewish educator weekly for 30 minutes lessons. This preparation is individually focused, taking into consideration each child’s learning style and needs as well as the family’s desires and interests. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony can take place in the sanctuary of the Bethpage Worship Center or at a venue of your choice.
20. What if my child has never attended Hebrew School?
All students are welcome to begin learning at Makom at any time, and will be properly prepared for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Rabbi will assess each child's level of skills/knowledge when beginning their studies and determine the length of time needed for preparation. For children who are older students with little or no formal learning experiences in their background, their ceremonies may need to be scheduled at a date past their 13th birthday in order to ensure that they are appropriately prepared for the service.
21. Where will my child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah take place?
Each family will determine the venue that best suits their needs, and is responsible for the costs of securing that location for the service. We work with each family to determine what might be best for them. We have numerous venues with whom we have a good working relationship, including the sanctuary at the Bethpage Worship Center and the Kotel (‘around the corner’ from the Western Wall in Jerusalem). We are flexible as to the time and location of your service and celebration, whether it’s your home or backyard, the beach or any other creative venue.
22. How much does the Children’s Moadon (Learner's Lounge) cost?
For the 2017-2018 academic year, the fees are:
- Grades K-2: $400 (meets twice monthly)
- Grades 3-6: $1,260 (meets weekly)
- 7th Grade: $360 (meets twice monthly)
- B’nai Mitzvah Study: $2,500 (includes 6-8 months of weekly lessons, rehearsals, service with musical accompaniment, visual t’fillah or prayer booklets)