Our Approach
Ohr HaTorah is "trans-denominational" in that our approach reflects and incorporates aspects of several denominations of Judaism.
Our mission is to encourage and to include those who choose Judaism as their faith, religion and spiritual path. We are especially supportive of those that hope of becoming a Jew by choice in the future.
Like those in the Reform and Reconstructionist movements, we believe that Judaism is evolutionary and developmental; we do not believe that Halakha - Jewish law - is the direct will of God. Jews have the responsibility in each generation to add to this development and evolutionery growth.
We do not identify as Reform because of the more traditional nature of our services and our approach to the observance of the tradition. We part with the Reconstructionists on the issue of a personal God - our services, school and adult study are informed by the belief in the reality of God.
As in the Conservative movement, we aim to strike a careful balance between tradition and change. Our services include traditional modes in worship and much Hebrew; our worship service is, however, noticeably shorter than a Conservative service, and we feel a greater latitude in experimenting with certain aspects of the liturgy, unlike most Conservative congregantions. Transliterations of many of the prayers are provided.
From the Orthodox movement, we learn unabashed love of God and Torah, as well as a serious devotion to study and Jewish observance. Our services are infused with a Chassidic feel; music and prayer are used to deepen our personal connection to the Holy.
