Our
Mission
A Traditional Shule
Welcome to
Congregation Shaarei Shamayim. We are an in-town
Traditional shule, whose spiritual focus is developing a
relationship with Gd through prayer, meditation, and the
study of Torah, and reaching out to our fellow human
beings with
chesed--love
and compassion. Our shule is a place of comfort,
companionship, and healing. We are a community of
families who care about each other, for we believe in
the holiness of the human spirit--that every human being
is an image of Gd.
We believe that
both the written and the oral Torah were given to the
Jewish people by Gd at Sinai, and, therefore, the Torah
is our primary guide in all matters. We believe the
mitzvot
(commandments) of the Torah set our religious
parameters, but certainly allow for creativity and
open-mindedness. Jewish tradition views men and women as
equal and complementary, but not interchangeable. Hence
we maintain that while Jewish law prescribes different
obligations for men and women, it also allows
considerable latitude for women’s participation in
synagogue life.
In an effort to
break down the artificial barriers and labels that
separates our people, the principle of
Ahavat Yisrael, love of our
fellow Jew, takes center stage, and all are welcome.
That is why we offer both separate (machitza)
and
mixed seating for men and women.
Organizational Model
Torah is the guide to all aspects of synagogue life.
Rabbi, lay leaders, and members work together to bring
Torah values to our community.
Torah guides the conditions for governance – there is
congruity of actions and words.
Mutual respect between members, lay leaders, and clergy
is essential for success.
A consensus model of governance ensures that all members
work together to achieve our common goals.
Congregation Shaarei Shamayim is an intimate, involved
congregation. We encourage all members to play a role in
carrying out the mission of our shule with a "hands-on"
organizational structure. Following a consensus
management model, Congregation Shaarei Shamayim is
governed by rotating groups of member-representatives
rather than a president and board of directors. Everyone
has a voice in the Shaarei Shamayim family.
"The world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah, and
G'milut Chassadim." (Pirke Avot 1:2)
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