Mission Statement 

CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM MISSION STATEMENT  

Congregation Beth Shalom is a Conservative, egalitarian congregation, dedicated to perpetuating and affirming Judaism by strengthening the faith and nurturing the religious development of its members. 

In pursuit of this mission, Congregation Beth Shalom, guided by its ritual, education, and administrative staff, and lay leaders, ascribes to the Rabbinic teaching: "The world is sustained through Torah, worship and acts of loving kindness." Pirkei Avot 1:2 

TORAH, life long learning.  

Learning is key to developing Jewish identity and therefore occupies a central place in congregational life. Congregation Beth Shalom pursues excellence in its schools and educational programming to meet the learning needs of congregants at each age and stage of life. All members are encouraged to take personal responsibility for learning in order to assume the privileges and obligations of Jewish citizenship and leadership. 

AVODAH, worship and observance.  

The worship of God and the search for religious knowledge take place in various ways at different stages of life. Congregation Beth Shalom provides worship experiences in accordance with halacha (Jewish law) to meet the diverse needs of its members and to promote active participation. 

The celebration of Shabbat, Holy Days, Festivals and life cycle events affirms our relationship to God and to one another. Congregation Beth Shalom gathers as a holy community to sanctify these moments and make them meaningful for all congregants. 

Mitzvot express how Jews behave, who we are and what we value. Congregation Beth Shalom is committed to a partnership of shared values and behavior between home and Synagogue that creates religious community and enriches the lives of congregants and all whom they influence. 

GIMILUT HASADIM, acts of loving-kindness.  

Individuals sustain community and community sustains the individual. Congregation Beth Shalom strives to be a community which teaches and enables its members to welcome, care about and support one another. Congregation Beth Shalom recognizes its responsibility to the larger Jewish community and encourages its members to act in ways that assure the well-being of the Jewish people locally, nationally, in Israel and around the world. 

Congregational life is a model for life at large. Congregation Beth Shalom endeavors in all aspects of institutional conduct to uphold the highest standards of Jewish ethical behavior. 

TIKUN OLAM, repair of the world.  

The "repair of the world" is a Jewish imperative. Congregation Beth Shalom strives to help its members bring Jewish perspective to the search for social justice and the alleviation of suffering, and to assume positions of service and leadership in the larger Jewish and general communities.