Ohav Shalom Current Description: (final)

Ohav Shalom Current Description

Community
Congregation Ohav Shalom is a welcoming, comfortable community that provides a social and support network for all of its members. The congregation embraces its members and their families, including children, seniors, and non-Jewish partners. The congregation recognizes that there are many ways of being Jewish, and we accept and strive to learn and grow from our members’ different approaches to Judaism. Members are encouraged to get involved early on, and long-time members are encouraged to partner with new members to enhance the experience of all. The synagogue provides a forum for members to meet other Jewish families, celebrate holidays and life events, and stay connected to the Jewish community. At times, the most meaningful connections are built during unplanned moments, such as kibitzing in the hallway or walking home after services.

Atmosphere
At Ohav Shalom, we also provide a unique sense of community where congregants truly care about their personal and communal religious experience. The Rabbis are active and interested in the lives of congregants, and are open to ideas and trying new things. The congregation is friendly, sociable and welcoming, and our pre-school has a particularly haimish feeling.

Community of Learners
Ohav is a “community of learners.” We encourage all of our members to learn more about Jewish religion and culture, from early childhood and nursery school, through Hebrew School, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, teen years, and throughout adulthood. We offer family education programming to build connections within families, youth programs that provide opportunities for children and teens to interact with other Jewish kids, Shabbat morning “learners’ services,” adult B’nai Mitzvah programs, and classes on topics of interest to today’s Jewish community.

Services and Religious Experiences
Congregation Ohav Shalom provides egalitarian, traditional services in a relaxed, inclusive prayer environment. Services are participatory and include a significant degree of lay leadership. Services are available throughout the year, including High Holiday services, Shabbat and holiday services, and weekday morning minyanim, as well as alternative services on an occasional basis.

Spirituality
We provide opportunities for members to explore and discover their spirituality, providing a religious/spiritual skill development program for adults, offering opportunities for meditation and other contemplative practices, and enabling members to explore and express their own relationship with G-d.



Family Child Programs
Ohav offers family/child programs including Shabbat morning Shorashim services for preschool-age children and a family-friendly nook in the main sanctuary. Some programming includes: special holiday events including a fun and silly Purim carnival, family education programs, and strong parental involvement within our Talmud Torah Hebrew School.

Youth
Ohav Shalom offers an active youth program including Kadima for 6th -8th graders and USY for 9th-12th graders. Activities include social events, religious education, Tikun Olam and community service, programs focused on Israel, leadership training, and regional conventions. Ohav Shalom’s USY chapter is award winning for the chapter as a whole and its individual programming.

Social Action
The Congregation’s commitment to social action includes volunteer work to support the larger Jewish and general community including a special project this year to assist the Equinox community services agency, as well as ongoing support for Israel, and work on activities to promote environmental awareness and other issues of common concern.

Life Cycle
Ohav accompanies its members through all phases of the Jewish life cycle, performing rituals and providing numerous opportunities for celebrations such as marriages and Bar/Bat Mitzvot. We provide meals for new parents and support for members in times of loss and mourning, including joining together for shiva minyans in members’ homes.

Personal/Individual Growth
The congregation affords opportunities for members to fulfill varied personal needs, and reinforce their Jewish identity, through a wide range of participatory and leadership activities. Members also build personal relationships with their rabbis, who are available for individual and small-group meetings to consult on personal and religious issues.