Stained Glass in SAJ Sanctuary
Torahs in Ark at SAJ
Chairs in Sanctuary at SAJ
SAJ Awning  Upper West Side
Stone Tile
“A tradition can live only so long as it continues to change.”—Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan

Welcome to The SAJ Synagogue Community

We’re a community that believes it’s possible to lead a 21st-century life that is deeply rooted in both Jewish tradition and contemporary civilization. Judaism helps us find meaning and inspiration as we seek to lead lives committed to spiritual growth, social justice, and building community. We welcome the richness that diversity brings to this community, where we learn about, struggle with, and even question our Judaism as we continue to "reconstruct" it for our times.

Featured Programs

THIS WEEKEND! SAJ Festival of Books: Book Sale, Author Roundtable and Storytelling

On Sunday, March 14 come join us and bring your family and friends to hear our SAJ authors, listen to stories, and browse and buy children's books, Judaica books, SAJ author books, and the Reconstructionist Haggadah edited by Rabbis Michael Strassfeld and Joy Levitt.  Read more»

A Jazz Shabbat Weekend

Afro-Semitic Experience to appear at SAJ

Friday, March 19 and Saturday March 20, deliver a Jazz Shabbat weekend to SAJ. Featuring the Afro-Semitic Experience at the Friday night service and a talk on "The Fusion of Jazz A Synagogue Music" given by Cantor Lisa Arbisser on Saturday, this weekend will be a unique experience and merging of different music styles. Click here to RSVP for kosher dairy/parve potluck dinner. RSVP not required if you are attending the service only.  Read more»

Adult Education Class on Biblical Literature and Poetry

Dianne Cohler Esses teaches at SAJ

Modern and contemporary poets often use Biblical images and narratives in ways that are highly personal and at times also sensual. Yehudah Amichai, one of the central poets we will study, is one of the best examples of this practice, breathing new life, so to speak into old wine skins. In this course entitled Internalizing the Word; Biblical Literature and Poetry will explore how poetry helps us read Biblical literature anew. We will analyze the artistry with which poets shifts, often radically, the traditional sense of the text, placing it in the context of personal and sometimes intimate settings and/or in the settings concerning history and the life of a society. We will also consider how biblical images and narratives might be reconfigured in light of our own lives and settings.  Read more»

Rabbi Strassfeld Thoughts

Rabbi's Sabbatical

Sabbatical
Rabbi Strassfeld is currently on Sabbatical through July, 2010. Rabbi Joanna Samuels will be co-leading Shabbat services with Cantor Lisa Arbisser during this time.  Read more»

SAJ Essentials

Engaging Spiritual Life

image of the letter kuf from the San Francisco museum of contemporary Jewish art

The SAJ is committed to the spiritual lives of its congregants. Congregants take an active role in all aspects of the service. Cantor Arbisser welcomes everyone to sing with her throughout the service. Rabbi Strassfeld leads a Torah discussion as opposed to delivering a sermon.  Read more»

Welcoming Family Services

Image of a doll family

Interactive family service of story telling, singing, movement and connection --a service where no one is a stranger and everyone is a friend.  Read more»

Community Meals

Closeup image of strawberries

Community meals are an important part of the SAJ community. Learn about our potluck dinners and Shabbat Kiddush.  Read more»