Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Our Online Synagogue

Welcome to OurJewishCommunity.org.

We are a 21st century Jewish community with a contemporary Jewish voice.

OurJewishCommunity.org is an online community uniting 10s of 1,000s of Jews from around the world. Technology has allowed OurJewishCommunity.org to break down the walls of the sanctuary and bring Judaism to where people are.  We are offering many of the same experiences  and opportunities that “bricks and mortar” congregations provide – adult and youth education, services, and pastoral support.  But an online community offers even more – regular interactions with the rabbis and other participants in our online community.  You may want to read Rabbi Baum’s Blog or listen to Rabbi Barr’s Banter.

We use evolving tools, and our philosophy also represents an evolving view of Judaism.

Here individuals have the right to determine for themselves how best to give expression to their religious identity.  Core to this concept is that individually and collectively we as human beings have the responsibility for our actions.

Rabbi Robert Barr and Rabbi Laura Baum are the leaders of OurJewishCommunity.org and Congregation Beth Adam. They were both ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (the Reform Movement).

Our services affirm personal autonomy – the right of the individual to decide for him or herself how they wish to give expression to their Jewish identity.  We believe individuals have the right to determine for themselves which rituals speak to them.

Our liturgy is original. Just as the Reform movement changes and rewrites classic Jewish liturgy, we at Beth Adam have rewritten much of the liturgy to reflect our contemporary Jewish voice.  As part of the congregation’s effort to create an environment which allows for individual expression of deeply held religious beliefs, we have chosen to employ language which we view as expansive and inclusive. Our liturgy is created by and is written for individuals who do not presume a God who intervenes or manipulates the affairs of this world. Therefore, traditional prayers which hold such a world view are inconsistent with our philosophy. The challenge for us is to articulate our shared vision while providing opportunity for individuals to infuse the liturgy with their personal understanding of the nature of the universe.

We value intellectual honesty. We encourage our participants to explore their understanding of God.  We know there is recognition that there is a wide range of understandings for the term God.  For some the term reflects their deepest beliefs while others no longer use that term.  All can find a religious home here at OurJewishCommunity.org.  At OurJewishCommunity.org, we take theology seriously for what we believe has implications on ethics, Judaism, and our understanding of our place within the universe.

We encourage interaction during services. You have the option to chat with others on Facebook, Twitter, or Livestream during our services.  If you prefer to put the video on full-screen and not read the chats, that’s totally fine too!  We hope to see you four our live-streaming holiday and Shabbat services!

You can read more about us at www.OurJewishCommunity.org!  See you there!