About Kol Shalom
Our Congregation
We are an egalitarian community of Jews committed to the continuity of the Jewish people and Jewish traditional observance as a guide to full participation in American society and the modern world. We strive for spiritual growth through prayer, Torah study, and observance of Mitzvot.
We take personal responsibility for Tikkun Olam (repair and improvement
of our world) through our individual paths of halakha (traditional
ethical and ritual guide for thought and action), family life, and
social action to help others. We value our community and look for ways
to reach out to other members of the community to share joy and sorrow,
mark lifecycle events, and help in times of need.
Israel
We recognize the centrality of the State of Israel as the homeland for
the Jewish people. We support Israel to ensure its continued survival,
prosperity, and moral character. We advocate for the affirmation of all
streams of recognized Jewish thought and observance within Israeli
society and seek to support and assist the Masorti movement.
Torah
We affirm the Torah as the source of law and teaching for the Jewish
people and commit to study of Torah as a guide for thought and action.
We value the mitzvot (commandments) and strive to act in accordance with
mitzvot in our daily lives. We commit to the continuing study and
interpretation of Torah, as has been studied throughout Jewish history,
as essential for adapting Jewish observance to historical and social
circumstance. In this way we affirm our identity as a Conservative
congregation. We embrace Jews regardless of their level of observance of
mitzvot or knowledge of Torah.
Avodah
We affirm the place of prayer and spiritual connection with God in our
lives as individuals and as a congregation. We strive to make avodah
(worship) meaningful through traditional texts, song and melody, private
thought, and connection with the world's beauty.
Gemilut Hasadim : Acts of Lovingkindness
We strive to demonstrate our commitment to Torah and prayer through
actions to help the poor, the sick, and the unfortunate. We perform
g'milut hasadim (acts of kindness) through social and political action,
direct service to those in need, and financial support.