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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, 16 September 2025
23 Elul 5785
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Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 16 , 2025Hebrew online
Tuesday, Sep 16th 8:00pm to 9:00pm
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Wednesday ,
SepSeptember 17 , 2025Or Chadash
Wednesday, Sep 17th 6:00pm to 8:00pm
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 18 , 2025Art Exhibiton Private View
Thursday, Sep 18th 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Ground Floor -
Friday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2025B'nei Mitzvah Class (BM2)
Friday, Sep 19th 5:00pm to 7:15pm
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2025B'nei Mitzvah Class (BM1)
Friday, Sep 19th 5:00pm to 7:15pm
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2025Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, Sep 19th 6:30pm to 7:00pm
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2025Chesed Shabbat Dinner & Yom Tov Outreach Launch
Friday, Sep 19th 6:30pm to 10:00pm
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2025BM Chavurah Dinner
Friday, Sep 19th 6:30pm to 9:30pm
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Saturday ,
SepSeptember 20 , 2025Or Shabbat classes
Shabbat, Sep 20th 10:00am to 12:15pm
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Saturday ,
SepSeptember 20 , 2025Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Sep 20th 10:30am to 12:30pm
Shabbat Morning Services that bring members of all ages and generations together to pray, learn and celebrate Shabbat.
Today's Calendar
: 8:00pm |
Friday Night
: 5:00pm |
: 5:00pm |
: 6:30pm |
: 6:30pm |
Candle Lighting : 6:49pm |
Shabbat Day
: 10:00am |
Havdalah : 7:55pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Sep 16 |
Sep 17 |
Sep 18 |
Sep 19 |
Sep 19 |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Nitzavim
Shabbat, Sep 20 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Sep 19, 6:49pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Sep 20, 7:55pm |
Erev Rosh HaShanah
Monday, Sep 22 |
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