Who are we?
Havurat Shalom is a community of families committed to providing a Jewish identity and education for its members, in a manner that is relevant to our contemporary lives.
How can you reach us?
You can contact us by email, info@havuratshalom.org or by phone: 978-494-2042
What do we offer?
We provide an open and inclusive community regardless of marital status, race, national origin, gender, economic condition, disability or sexual orientation. We welcome families of mixed heritage. Families who have been, or are members of any other Jewish congregation, or have not recently or, in fact, ever, practiced Judaism in a structured way are also welcome. Ours is a diverse and vibrant congregation focused on the spiritual and cultural development of its members. Since the group functions on a cooperative basis, the active participation of every member is necessary. A wide variety of activities is offered, reflecting the varied interests of the members of the group. These include monthly shabbat services, discussions (havurah), tzedakah activities, social get-togethers, excursions to cultural events and children's workshops.
A Cooperative – Members are key
Every member is asked to contribute their individual perspectives and background, creating a constantly evolving expression of Judaism. This rich diversity is manifested in the composition of holiday services and celebrations, some of which are written by members. Traditional Jewish practices are observed with modern interpretations and forms of expression. We have a Board of Directors which meets four times per year. ALL meetings are open.
Music
Music is an important part of our Havurat Shalom traditions. Elliott Jacobowitz, pianist, leads an ensemble, "Eliahu and the Minor Prophets", including vocalist Zoe Vasconcellos Hastings, flautist Esther Taylor, acoustic guitarist, Jonathan Weiss and Chazzan David Hastings on percussion and occasional bass trombone. They offer accompaniment at Shabbat and High Holy Day services.
Spiritual Style
Our Shabbat and holiday observances are led by Rabbi Karen Landy, a Reconstructionist Rabbi. On the High Holy Days Rabbi Karen is joined by Chazzan, David Hastings, in leading our services. In 2012, our congregation adopted the siddur, Mishkan Tefilah, a wonderful prayerbook including Hebrew, English and transliteration of all prayers, in addition to thoughtful and inspirational additional readings. For the High Holy Days, we use a text that has been developed by the congregation over thirty years, including some original contributions by our religious school children, some of whom now have children of their own.
Religious School
The Religious School of Havurat Shalom provides a curriculum which includes Hebrew language training, cultural and ethnic education and holiday celebrations. Classes are taught by experienced teachers with small groups of 8-12 children per class. Grades 3-6 meet once each week for 90 minutes. Our early-entry program, for children in Grades K-2, “Jumping Into Judaism”, meets once per month. For information on the Religious school program, please follow this link. Click here and one of our teachers, Morah [meaning, "teacher"] Zoe Hastings will contact you.
SITE UPDATED FEBRUARY 26, 2013
Havurat Shalom is a community of families committed to providing a Jewish identity and education for its members, in a manner that is relevant to our contemporary lives.
How can you reach us?
You can contact us by email, info@havuratshalom.org or by phone: 978-494-2042
What do we offer?
We provide an open and inclusive community regardless of marital status, race, national origin, gender, economic condition, disability or sexual orientation. We welcome families of mixed heritage. Families who have been, or are members of any other Jewish congregation, or have not recently or, in fact, ever, practiced Judaism in a structured way are also welcome. Ours is a diverse and vibrant congregation focused on the spiritual and cultural development of its members. Since the group functions on a cooperative basis, the active participation of every member is necessary. A wide variety of activities is offered, reflecting the varied interests of the members of the group. These include monthly shabbat services, discussions (havurah), tzedakah activities, social get-togethers, excursions to cultural events and children's workshops.
A Cooperative – Members are key
Every member is asked to contribute their individual perspectives and background, creating a constantly evolving expression of Judaism. This rich diversity is manifested in the composition of holiday services and celebrations, some of which are written by members. Traditional Jewish practices are observed with modern interpretations and forms of expression. We have a Board of Directors which meets four times per year. ALL meetings are open.
Music
Music is an important part of our Havurat Shalom traditions. Elliott Jacobowitz, pianist, leads an ensemble, "Eliahu and the Minor Prophets", including vocalist Zoe Vasconcellos Hastings, flautist Esther Taylor, acoustic guitarist, Jonathan Weiss and Chazzan David Hastings on percussion and occasional bass trombone. They offer accompaniment at Shabbat and High Holy Day services.
Spiritual Style
Our Shabbat and holiday observances are led by Rabbi Karen Landy, a Reconstructionist Rabbi. On the High Holy Days Rabbi Karen is joined by Chazzan, David Hastings, in leading our services. In 2012, our congregation adopted the siddur, Mishkan Tefilah, a wonderful prayerbook including Hebrew, English and transliteration of all prayers, in addition to thoughtful and inspirational additional readings. For the High Holy Days, we use a text that has been developed by the congregation over thirty years, including some original contributions by our religious school children, some of whom now have children of their own.
Religious School
The Religious School of Havurat Shalom provides a curriculum which includes Hebrew language training, cultural and ethnic education and holiday celebrations. Classes are taught by experienced teachers with small groups of 8-12 children per class. Grades 3-6 meet once each week for 90 minutes. Our early-entry program, for children in Grades K-2, “Jumping Into Judaism”, meets once per month. For information on the Religious school program, please follow this link. Click here and one of our teachers, Morah [meaning, "teacher"] Zoe Hastings will contact you.
SITE UPDATED FEBRUARY 26, 2013
