CONGREGATION OR CHADASH was founded in May of 2002 by a steering committee of 20 hard-working volunteers dedicated to bringing a Conservative Jewish presence to the Northeast Valley. Today, we are a congregation of over 375 families.
Whether you are looking to join a Conservative Synagogue or simply want to learn more about us, we are glad you are visiting our website and look forward to meeting you in person. Please join us for Shabbat or holiday services. B’ruchim Habaim — We welcome you!
We offer Shabbat and holiday services for all ages and in a variety of formats. Rabbi Caplan leads our Friday night Shabbat Service — a musical, spiritually uplifting service — as well as an inspiring Saturday morning service. Many of our congregants read Torah and Haftarah or participate in other aspects of Shabbat services.
On the third Friday night of each month at 5:45 pm we offer a Young Family Shabbat for infants to six-ish children and their families. Rabbi Caplan, along with other members of the congregation who are musically talented, enhance the service with ruach-filled song and dance. In addition, Friday Shabbat Mishpacha for children ages 7-13 and their families is held several times during the year at 6 pm., and Saturday Shabbat Mishpacha for the same age group is held on the last Saturday morning of each month at 10 am. A Festive Havdalah service, targeted toward young and mishpacha families, is scheduled occasionally to say goodbye to Shabbat and begin the new week together. The service is followed by a fun social program.
Also, please join Rabbi Caplan every Shabbat morning for “Torah Express” — an opportunity to study the Torah portion of the week in depth following kiddush.
Shabbat at Congregation Or Chadash is joyous, participatory and communal! Our Tefillot are accessible and filled with music and singing. We provide something for everyone. The feelings we share as a congregational family and holy community are summed up in a reading from our Friday night Siddur:
May the door to this synagogue be wide enough to receive all who hunger for love, all who are lonely for fellowship. May it welcome all who have cares to unburden, thanks to express, hopes to nurture. May the door of this synagogue be narrow enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity. May its threshold be no stumbling block to young or straying feet. May it be too high to admit complacency, selfishness and harshness. May this synagogue be, for all who enter, the doorway to a richer and more meaningful life.
