|
Our Philosophy
-
MHJC is a synagogue that follows the conservative philosophy of observance and
is dedicated to providing a religious environment that brings its congregants
close to G-d spiritually and morally.
-
We believe in the divine origin of Torah and in the validity of its content.
-
We recognize the Oral Law (Talmud) and view halacha as a valid guide to Jewish observance as well as the ability of modern scholars to reinterpret the
laws to make Judaism meaningful to our times.
-
We emphasize traditional Jewish practices such as (but not limited to) keeping
the Sabbath, keeping Kashruth, and the observance of all holidays.
-
We recognize Hebrew as the true language of our people, and will encourage and
promote its learning by all of our congregants.
-
We extol the role of women in the history and future of Judaism and therefore
grant to all Jewish women all of the responsibilities, rights and privileges
traditionally afforded only to men by our religion, including but not limited to
counting as part of a minyan, leading congregational prayer, performing an
aliyah (including the Kohen aliyah), laning Torah to the congregation, and
chanting the Haftorah.
-
We seek to ensure the future of Judaism through our children, and encourage
their presence at all of our services and functions. We are dedicated to
providing a quality Jewish education to all of our children, both in the
sanctuary and in the classroom.
-
We wish to empower all Jews to be knowledgeable about Judaism and to become an
active part of the Jewish education of their children. To that end, adult
education will be offered on many levels to study Torah, Talmud, liturgy, and
custom.
-
MHJC is an open, egalitarian, and democratic institution. All congregants have
the authority to influence the ritual and organizational functioning of the
synagogue. Such opportunities exist through membership on committees, the Board
of Directors, the Executive Board, and meetings of the entire congregation.
-
Israel is the ancient, present, and future homeland of all Jews. We believe that
the land is a birthright of our people, given by G-d to our ancestors. MHJC will
always seek to support and defend the continued existence, peace, and prosperity
of Israel.
-
We believe that Jews have a crucial role in society as a whole to provide a
spiritual example and to improve the condition of the world we live in. MHJC
will make every effort to support the community through charity, programs,
education, and political activity (tikkun olam).
-
All congregants will be encouraged to be spiritually and ritually active at
MHJC, provide a Jewish education and home environment for themselves and their
families, support Israel and be active in our home community.
-
We will seek to be an extension of each congregant family, becoming a part of
every life cycle event, sharing both the joy or pain of those events and
providing a spiritual and emotional resource within the synagogue that can be
felt by the entire congregation.
-
MHJC promotes each congregant to contribute spiritually to the religious
functioning of the synagogue. Individuals are encouraged to lead services,
accept an aliyah, lane Torah and chant the Haftorah, and to bring new insights
into the content and performance of services to the entire congregation.
-
MHJC wishes to become the center for the growth of its congregants as Jews- to
study Torah, to pray together, and to perform good deeds.
-
This congregation is dedicated to the propagation of Judaism, Jewish ideals,
Jewish culture, and Jewish heritage to ourselves and future generations.
-
We respect the intelligence of our congregants and
welcome free, intelligent discussion on matters of commitment, observance, and
law. The Rabbi and Ritual Committee will consider any and all such opinions in
forming policy for the congregation.
Join Us …
Join Our MHJC Family
|
