Our Core Values

We define ourselves by our core values.

1. Caring Community: We are a caring community that creates a welcoming and supportive environment.
2. Inclusivity: We are a diverse community with varying views on Jewish practice and varying levels of observance. This diversity is accepted and embraced without judgment.
3. Shared Responsibility: Our members are engaged and feel responsible to help improve both our congregational community and the secular community through social action initiatives.
4. Menschlichkeit: We strive to conduct ourselves in a way that is respectful and caring.
5. Devotion to Learning: We will continuously offer learning programs to meet the diverse interests of all congregants.
6. Balancing Tradition and Innovation: We deeply respect the traditions that unify all Jews. We balance traditional observances with innovations that reflect more contemporary social values.
7. Spirituality: We strive to accommodate the spiritual needs of all our members and to infuse spirituality in all things we do.
8. Comfort Level: We create a comfortable, informal environment, one in which individuals feel valued and accepted.
9. Engagement: We seek to have programs that maximize individuals involvement and engage our members.
10. Jewish Continuity: We are devoted to passing a strong sense of Jewish identity and pride from generation to generation.

Our Vision

Our vision is characterized by our commitment to these priorities:

• Focus on community-building programs. This will be done within our congregation through a variety of life-enriching programs and with the secular community through social action. We will strengthen our relationships and further enhance our community.
• Promote continuous learning activities, for both children and adults, as a means to improve the spiritual and intellectual lives of our congregants and further strengthen our Jewish identities.
• Embrace diversity of religious approach and backgrounds within our congregation while continuing to develop a better understanding of our collective religious identity as a Reconstructionist Jewish community.
• Continue to build membership in our community in a manner consistent with our values so that we maintain its vibrancy and secure a long-term future for Congregation Beth Hatikvah.