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Synagogue Principles and Policy
Synagogue Principles and Policy
The Rev. Dr. Harold Reinhart was Minister of Westminster Synagogue from its inception until his death in August, 1969. The ideals to which his life was dedicated and to which the Synagogue is deeply committed are expressed in the following statement of principles and policy, formally adopted by the congregation at its third Annual General Meeting on 19th January 1961 and continues to guide the community and its members.
Principles
"Our aim is to create a synagogue which will be an instrument for the pursuit of religious truth. We would seek for knowledge and charity and piety. We want a congregation that will be a source of encouragement to human progress and of comfort and inspiration to individual men and women. We would be a congregation of interested active members, personally committed to our Synagogue, accepting the responsibility of membership as a challenge to the best in each of us. We regard our membership as a high privilege, and we will not be content with a synagogue which is less than a vehicle of truth."
Policy
For the realisation of our aims we deem it essential that our Synagogue should be the centre of a Holy Congregation of men and women, believing in Judaism as a relevant motivating power in their lives. Through the Synagogue we should participate in the life of Jewry as a whole, and in human endeavour in the wider community. ‘We believe that such a synagogue should be a democratic society in which practice and procedure are determined by the members themselves, and we are conscious of a sense of congregational responsibility to interpret courageously our heritage, and to adventure in our religious expression. In our services we strive to give voice to the authentic Jewish tradition expressed in a manner suitable to our times.
Our membership subscription is set at a figure which we consider realistic in the contemporary world, and appropriate for a seriously interested person of moderate means. Members are asked to bear a proper share of the necessary expense of maintaining the Synagogue. Some will be able to pay more, others less. The amount itself is not important – significance lies in the token of seriousness of commitment.
We would avoid commercialisation in our congregational management. While we appreciate the need to direct our affairs in a business-like manner, we are determined that our congregation shall not be conducted as a business, that no services or privileges shall be bought or paid for, and that all members shall have precisely the same rights, duties and responsibilities. We offer our services to all who wish for them, in the belief that the more we give, the more we shall ourselves possess. It may then be asked: if our services are available to all people, why become a member? Our answer is that membership signifies personal participation in a dedicated effort to safeguard our Jewish tradition and serve our Jewish ideal.
We know that a true synagogue is one in which the members participate in congregational prayer and study, and maintain a humane administration. We attest our need for such a synagogue and our will to achieve it.
Tue, 21 January 2025
21 Tevet 5785
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Tuesday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2025Book Club
Tuesday, Jan 21st 7:00pm to 8:00pm
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Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 22 , 2025Or Chadash ( Jews from around the world: Diversity & Inclusion in Judaism - Joey Leskin)
Wednesday, Jan 22nd 6:30pm to 7:45pm
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Friday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2025B'nei Mitzvah Class (BM2)
Friday, Jan 24th 5:00pm to 7:15pm
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Friday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2025Post-BM
Friday, Jan 24th 5:30pm to 7:30pm
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Friday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2025Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, Jan 24th 6:30pm to 7:00pm
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Saturday ,
JanJanuary 25 , 2025Pre-Service Parsha
Shabbat, Jan 25th 9:45am to 10:25am
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Saturday ,
JanJanuary 25 , 2025B'nei Mitzvah Class (BM1)
Shabbat, Jan 25th 10:00am to 12:15pm
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Saturday ,
JanJanuary 25 , 2025Or Shabbat Classes
Shabbat, Jan 25th 10:00am to 12:15pm
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Saturday ,
JanJanuary 25 , 2025Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Jan 25th 10:30am to 12:30pm
Shabbat Morning Services that bring members of all ages and generations together to pray, learn and celebrate Shabbat. -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 25 , 2025Community Drop Ins: Rabbinic Transitional Period
Shabbat, Jan 25th 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Today's Calendar
: 7:00pm |
Friday Night
Candle Lighting : 4:18pm |
: 5:00pm |
: 5:30pm |
Shabbat Day
: 9:45am |
: 10:00am |
: 10:00am |
: 12:30pm |
Havdalah : 5:27pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Jan 21 |
Jan 22 Wednesday, Jan 22 6:30pm |
Jan 24 |
Jan 24 |
Jan 25 |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Va-eira
Shabbat, Jan 25 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Jan 24, 4:18pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Jan 25, 5:27pm |
Tu BiSh'vat
Thursday, Feb 13 |
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