Congregation Shaarai Shomayim - Congregational Brit

Our Congregational Brit Based upon our common heritage and a shared vision for the future, we, the members of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, enter into this covenant in the spirit of our ancestors who entered into a covenant with God at Sinai generations ago. We pledge to continue the proud traditions of this congregation as an enduring Jewish presence in Central Pennsylvania for more than 250 years. Together, we will continue to build a Kehila Kedosha, a sacred community, and hereby describe our sense of purpose and mission through the Hebrew names traditionally used for our place of worship: Bet K’Nesset, Bet T’filah, Bet Midrash and Bet Tzedek.
	We strive to treat each other with Kavod (honor) and to support each other through times of joy and sorrow as Mishpacha (family). In the spirit of G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), we will welcome the stranger and embrace the diversity of our congregation, for we were once strangers in a strange land. We will strive to make worship meaningful to all of our members and enable individuals to feel God’s presence in their lives. We will seek to support each other spiritually and to unite our congregation in worship. Through the words and the music we choose, we will celebrate Shabbat and each chag (holiday) in a spirit appropriate to the occasion. We will guide one another to understand Torah in its broadest possible context and meaning. We will support our educational program to meet the needs of our congregation, from preschoolers to adults, and foster an environment for lifelong learning. We also will continue to support informal Jewish learning and growth for our congregational family. We will work continually to create a congregation dedicated to the principles of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) and Tzedakah (charity). We will pursue justice in our local and global communities through political and social action and by living out the goals of our Prophets.
We renew our commitment to and our connection with Klal Yisrael, the entirety of the Jewish people in our community and around the world. As a Reform Congregation, we recognize and respect our individual and collective freedom to make informed choices in accordance with the Mitzvot of our tradition. We strive to be a Ner L’Atid, a light to the future.

Our Congregational Brit

Based upon our common heritage and a shared vision for the future, we, the members of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, enter into this covenant in the spirit of our ancestors who entered into a covenant with God at Sinai generations ago. We pledge to continue the proud traditions of this congregation as an enduring Jewish presence in Central Pennsylvania for more than 250 years. Together, we will continue to build a Kehila Kedosha, a sacred community, and hereby describe our sense of purpose and mission through the Hebrew names traditionally used for our place of worship: Bet K’Nesset, Bet T’filah, Bet Midrash and Bet Tzedek.

House of Gathering We strive to treat each other with Kavod (honor) and to support each other through times of joy and sorrow as Mishpacha (family). In the spirit of G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), we will welcome the stranger and embrace the diversity of our congregation, for we were once strangers in a strange land.

House of Prayer We will strive to make worship meaningful to all of our members and enable individuals to feel God’s presence in their lives. We will seek to support each other spiritually and to unite our congregation in worship. Through the words and the music we choose, we will celebrate Shabbat and each chag (holiday) in a spirit appropriate to the occasion.

House of Study We will guide one another to understand Torah in its broadest possible context and meaning. We will support our educational program to meet the needs of our congregation, from preschoolers to adults, and foster an environment for lifelong learning. We also will continue to support informal Jewish learning and growth for our congregational family.

House of Justice We will work continually to create a congregation dedicated to the principles of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) and Tzedakah (charity). We will pursue justice in our local and global communities through political and social action and by living out the goals of our Prophets.

We renew our commitment to and our connection with Klal Yisrael, the entirety of the Jewish people in our community and around the world. As a Reform Congregation, we recognize and respect our individual and collective freedom to make informed choices in accordance with the Mitzvot of our tradition.

We strive to be a Ner L’Atid, a light to the future.

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