Ritual

The richness of our programming depends greatly on the support of members giving their time and attention. Central to our observance is Shabbat and the Jewish holiday calendar, led by Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton.

 

Shabbat services are offered at least once a month on Saturday mornings. OrH members and guests worship together, praying and chanting in Hebrew and English from Kol Haneshemah, the siddur of the Reconstructionist movement, as well as from supplementary readings and sources. The service includes Torah chanting and a d'var Torah (commentary and discussion on the weekly reading), followed by a vegetarian potluck kiddush lunch.

 

Like most congregations, OrH devotes a great deal of attention and effort to celebrating the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We also appropriately observe the three "major" holidays — Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot — including holding a congregational seder for Passover and building our own sukkah for the Festival of Booths. With member initiative we hold special events for popular holidays such as Simchat Torah, Hanukkah and Purim, as well as for lesser-known festivals such as Tu B'Shevat and Shavuot. Many of the festival programs feature musical accompaniment, which always infuses the events with special ruach (spirit). In the summer months we hold at least one outdoor Shabbat service.

 

Led by Rabbi Bolton, the OrH community celebrates bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, baby namings, marriages, conversions and other life-cycle events throughout the year.

 

The richness of our programming depends greatly on the support of members giving their time and attention.

 

Please visit our calendar and sign up for our member newsletter for up-to-date information on services and special events.