Shaare Torah Core Values

Shaare Torah is a welcoming, vibrant, and passionate Conservative synagogue community (Kehillah), dedicated to the ideals of Jewish tradition (Masoret) and to acts of kindness (Hesed).

Kehillah/Community

Derekh Eretz/Warmth and Integrity: Treat everyone with love, respect and dignity
Hadrakhah/Leadership: Encourage members to take leadership roles and acquire new skills
Simhah/Joy: Celebrate together in times of joy and support each other in times of sorrow

Masoret/Tradition
Mitzvot and Halakhah: Provide myriad ways to grow in Jewish observance and belief
Limud/Learning: Develop a culture of life-long learning
T’fillah/Prayer: Provide an egalitarian, meaningful, and participatory worship experience
Tziyonut/Zionism: Embrace Zionism and support the State of Israel

Hesed/Kindness
Gemillut Hasadim/Acts of Kindness: Reach out to one another in times of need
Tikkun Olam/Repairing the World: Make the world a better place by thinking globally and acting locally
Tzedakah: Foster a culture of giving

 

 

Kehillah--Community

Derekh Eretz (Warmth, Integrity): We recognize that every person in our community is created in God’s image, and we therefore treat all with respect, dignity, integrity, and love. Ours is a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community where we take time to greet and embrace strangers and friends alike. top of page

Hadrakhah (Leadership): Dedicated volunteers are the key to the success of our congregation. Our member volunteers set goals, initiate and carry out programs, maintain active committees, and develop leadership for the congregation. We engage and train members to serve in leadership roles, acquire new skills, and develop a sense of vision and purpose for our community. top of page

Simhah (Joy): We celebrate births, b‘nai mitzvah, marriage, and other joyous moments in our lives, and we support one another in times of sorrow. top of page

Masoret--Tradition

Mitzvot and Halakhah (Jewish Law): As a Conservative synagogue, we believe that Jewish law and practice continually evolve in the face of modernity, and that mitzvot remain at the core of Judaism. We are committed to fundamental aspects of Jewish life such as Shabbat, kashrut (dietary laws) and t’fillah (prayer), and observe halakhah (Jewish law) as interpreted by our congregation’s rabbinic leadership. top of page

Limud (Learning): We provide formal and informal opportunities for every member--from pre-school through adulthood--to learn about Judaism, and to grow in Jewish observance and commitment. We are a congregation of learners and seekers. top of page

T’fillah (Prayer): Coming together for worship is a central part of our communal life. Our services are joyful and meaningful. We join together in song and stress congregant participation through leading prayers, participating in interactive Torah study, and reading of Torah and the haftarah. As in all aspects of our communal life, men and women participate in all rituals as equals. top of page

Tziyonut (Zionism): We embrace the principle that we are part of the People of Israel and that “all Israel is responsible for one another. ” We support the State of Israel, provide ways to learn about Israel’s history and culture, and find ways to connect personally to Jews in Israel and throughout the world. top of page

Hesed--Kindness

Gemillut Hasadim (Acts of Kindness): Our community cares about and reaches out to one another in times of need through acts of hesed (kindness). top of page

Tikun Olam (Repairing Our World): We are actively engaged in programs of social action to fulfill a vision of Tikun Olam, repairing the imperfections and injustices in our local community, in the broader Jewish community, and in the world at large. top of page

Tzedakah: We foster a culture of giving and educate our members about the value of tzeddakah. Our congregants give generously to sustain our congregation and to support those in need in the broader community—in our immediate neighborhood and around the world. top of page