About our Services
The SAJ is affiliated with both the Reconstructionist and Conservative movements, and this is reflected in the worship services, a blend of traditional observance and modern interpretation in liturgy, communal singing led by our rabbi and cantor, and private prayer. Within the service are woven the celebration of various rites of passage: baby naming, Bar/Bat mitzvah, marriage, conversion, birthday and yahrzeit.
Instead of delivering a d’var torah monologue, Rabbi Strassfeld both teaches and leads a discussion of the Torah or Haftarah portions or a topic inspired by them. We wrestle with the challenge of “living in two civilizations”; of being modern Americans as well as authentic Jews. Since the participants span all ages and backgrounds, the discussion is always lively. Congregants take an active role in other aspects of the service: chanting Torah and Haftarah, performing other readings, assisting in the Torah service, and greeting members and visitors.
Services at The SAJ are totally egalitarian. Women and men are equal participants both on and off the bimah, and count equally in forming a minyan.
By worshipping together, we seek to enrich ourselves spiritually, to develop intellectually, and to strengthen the bonds that make The SAJ a caring Jewish community.
The Liturgy and Texts
Anyone acquainted with the Reconstructionist or Conservative liturgy will find our services familiar. We chant most of the service in Hebrew, but we announce page numbers to help keep everyone together.
In keeping with the spirit of Mordecai Kaplan, congregants are free to take these passages literally, or to interpret them as spiritual poetry. In some cases, we substitute a version that has been adapted by Rabbi Kaplan and others.
Our prayer book is Kol Haneshamah (Reconstructionist Press). This siddur is well annotated, with English translations, transliterations of the Hebrew, explanatory notes and commentary. In many places both traditional and modern variations are provided.
Our chumash (the printed Torah—the first five books of the Hebrew Bible—and Haftarah readings) is Etz Chayim (USCJ Book Service). This edition includes a complete English translation, two levels of commentary, connections between modern Jewish law and Biblical text, and articles about the history, analysis, and interpretation of the text.
A collection of other prayer books and Bible commentaries are available in the sanctuary during services for those with another preference or who wish to look at additional perspectives.
Important Notes:
Please check the calendar, as there are occasional weeks with no Shabbat services, or Saturday services but no Friday services. The latter is likely around major US holidays, and during substantial parts of the summer.
For all Jewish festivals and holidays, see calendar for details, especially concerning High Holidays!
