Mishkan T'filah
Mishkan T'filah - A New Direction 
Introduction by Rabbi Robuck
No more than once in a generation does it happen that the Progressive movement creates a liturgical snapshot for its worshippers. We are fortunate indeed to be able to enjoy the fruits of this latest and most ambitious effort.
Mishkan T’filah was created on the main in North America by the CCAR Press, The Central Conference of Reform Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism. Extensive input was received from Jewish professionals; rabbis and scholars and lay people alike. The Mishkan T’filah was “field tested” in many congregations. Many revisions followed until it was at last published in 2007.
Since that time, the Moetzah - the Council of Rabbis in Australia, New Zealand and Asia - have, together with the Union for Progressive Judaism and our colleagues in South Africa, endeavoured to create a purpose-made volume, based upon the North American edition but even more suitable for our region. Contained within this new edition are all the new and exciting features found in the 2007 volume: full transliteration of the Hebrew to maximize congregational participation, additional Hebrew passages like the full, three paragraphs of the Sh’ma Yisrael; a great many beautiful English, interpretive readings to uplift the heart and an extensive treasury of original notes and commentaries to make the synagogue service more intelligible than before.
Included are contributions by Australians, including the “pocket prayers” that were originally written for NSTE by Donna Jacobs. Seasonal references have been changed to reflect our position in the southern hemisphere. Finally, an integrated theology which reflects the range of Jewish viewpoints in our movement, appear throughout.
The new Mishkan T’filah will not by itself bring about a revolution in Progressive Jewish worship. It should, however, serve as a wonderful new tool for those individuals and congregations wanting to bring more colour and expression to their spiritual and prayer life.
About the New Siddur
The main innovations of our new Mishkan T’filah include;
- Gender neutral language about God
- Gender neutral language about people
- Innovative two-page spread page layout
- Complete linear-style service option
- Fewer services, more options
- Use of creative materials
- True to the meaning translations
- Easily pronounceable transliteration
- Layouts of the prayers which invite different kinds of usage
Mishkan T’filah offers many opportunities for diverse usage and worship styles. Most of the prayers in the siddur are set as a two-page spread, with the keva (primary traditional) liturgy on the right-hand page and alternative materials on the left hand side.
The right-hand Hebrew text is accompanied by both a faithful translation, and a transliteration. The left-hand page contains poetry, prayers and kavanot (meditations) thematically tied to the keva text but reflecting diverse theological points of view. They are intended so that on a given spread the worshipper reads only one prayer — either in Hebrew or English — and then turns the page.
Some passages have been set to facilitate responsive readings (as indicated by line spacing or indentation). Instructions such as when to stand or sit have been minimized for reasons of flexibility and recognition of varied congregational customs.
Notes indicate traditional practices (such as bowing) and are included with the comment “for those who choose”. There is also some background to help people make informed choices.