Society Hill Synagogue nourishes, strengthens, and inspires our members, their families, and the surrounding community through the rhythms and teachings of Jewish life.
Vision
Society Hill Synagogue envisions a vibrant intergenerational community in which we nourish our souls through prayer and tradition, care for one another, form new and lasting friendships, celebrate our joys together, deepen our minds through Torah and learning, and together help author the next chapter of Jewish life as we work to repair a broken world.
Values
Pluralism — We believe that a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and approaches to Jewish life strengthens us and helps us grow. Our services are based on Conservative liturgy while incorporating influences from the Reconstructionist, Renewal, and Reform movements, and beyond.
Kehilah/Community — We believe that life is lived most richly when woven together in the fabric of community: caring for one another when sick, providing shared space for one another’s children, celebrating one another’s joys, mourning one another’s sorrows, and finding diverse opportunities to gather and connect.
Hakhlalah/Inclusion — We believe in the wisdom of making the riches of Jewish life accessible to all. It is our responsibility to build pathways that facilitate participation in Jewish life and to foster an environment of belonging for all those seeking Jewish community, including interfaith couples and families, LGBTQIA+ people, people of color, and people of all abilities.
Talmud Torah/Lifelong Learning — We believe learning is a fundamental part of Jewish living, and it infuses everything we do: from prayer services to Board meetings; from preschool to Hebrew School and throughout adulthood.
T’filah/Prayer — We believe prayer is a vital expression of Jewish life that can connect us to God, strengthen and nourish our soul, and help us form a relationship to mystery, strengthened through music, liturgy, and reflection.
Tzedek/Justice — We believe Judaism gives voice to the eternal call incumbent upon all of us to contribute to a more just world and that the synagogue is an important vehicle for mobilizing our collective efforts.
Klal Yisrael/All of Israel — We believe that fostering a connection to Israel — the people, the land, the country — is an essential component of synagogue life. We believe in the value of expressing and exploring our connection to the Jewish people worldwide and in our ancient homeland across a diversity of perspectives.
