Congregation Shirat Hayam provides multiple gateways to Jewish life, learning and prayer, social justice (tikun olam), celebration, culture and the arts. Our programming allows our congregants of all ages to connect individually and collectively in the way that best meets their needs.
Conservative but willing to explore.
We realize our community will always have a broad range of preferences and needs. We define ourselves in how we choose to serve these needs while respecting the ritual, educational and social boundaries we set as a Conservative congregation. Our boundaries will be set by halacha, and our congregational values and preferences.
Active choice of membership and participation.
We strive for our members to actively choose to be part of our synagogue community and to participate in congregational life. Our goal is for all members to identify with our congregational beliefs, our preferences and our values.
Diversity
We support diversity as we welcome and respect all Jews, as well as the non-Jewish partners of our members.
Education
We encourage life-long learning, and distinguish our congregation by providing an exciting and meaningful educational experience for all ages:
-Our congregation will thrive by understanding the Jewish needs of our membership and our community, and by selectively evolving to meet these needs.
-Our congregants understand our congregational focus and intent
-We can respect our individual differences, serve a broad range of congregational needs and establish and maintain a clear identity.
-We embrace a variety of ritual, educational and social practices consistent with the interpretations of Conservative Judaism.
-We are committed to providing complete and engaging Jewish education to our children so that they may grow up having been exposed to the full richness of their Jewish religion and culture.
-Our adult programming educates, challenges, and inspires us as congregants, as members of our community and as Jews
-Our families choose to attend our schools and programming because of their excellence, richness and variety.
Leadership
-Our leadership will come from our members, our professionals and our clergy, supported with sufficient resources, active committees and an engaged congregation. Our leadership will be learned, committed to our values, and responsive to our needs. Our leadership will work collaboratively to meet our congregational goals and to develop our future generations of leadership.
-Our congregational goals will guide our selection of our spiritual, professional and lay leaders.
