Shaarey Tikvah is a home for the spirit, and a home for the heart. Within our gates of hope is a genuine community of interesting, smart and caring people who embrace newcomers as full members of our tight knit and loving family whenever you stop by. This same group regularly gathers in impressive numbers each Shabbat morning and holidays to nourish our souls, to enrich our minds, and to make a joyous sound to God above.
A well-known Jewish writer famously noted that “more than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.” What the writer, Ahad Ha’am, understood is that celebrating Shabbat renews our connections to one another, refreshes our bodies from the week’s rush and lets our souls brush up against their timeless Source. In addition to the leadership provided by our clergy, the Torah and Haftarah are expertly chanted by our congregants who will sometimes also lead prayer. Shaarey Tikvah’s Shabbat morning services are the cornerstone of our community life and are distinguished by attendance that rivals synagogues many times our size. As one member notes, “some people go to a meeting or a therapist to get tuned up. I come to Shaarey Tikvah.”
Every year we celebrate the entire year cycle together, from our preparations for the season of change during the month of Elul to the trumpeting blow of the shofar on the first of Tishrei to our all-night study of Jewish text on the evening of Shavuot. The Jewish liturgical calendar frees us to mark our days with moments of introspection (High Holy Days), joyous outdoor living (Sukkot), rowdy celebration (Purim), freedom (Pesah) and connection to the recent and ancient history of our people (Chanukkah, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Tisha B’Av, etc.). At Shaarey Tikvah, we provide meaningful and appropriate opportunities to observe these sacred occasions, to remember our loved ones (Yizkor) and to pass it on to the next generation. Please see our Upcoming Events Calendar to learn about exact times of gathering and celebration for each holiday.
Holidays & Festivals 5780/5781