Congregation Shalom Rav offers regular Shabbat services and family Holy Day celebrations, providing varied opportunities for collective worship and drawing from both the Reconstructionist and Renewal traditions.
Reconstructionist services are characterized by equal roles for both genders and by the use of translations of the Hebrew prayers that do not employ gender-biased language, as well as alternate versions of some prayers that many contemporary Jews find problematic. Our prayerbook, Kol HaNeshamah, contains extensive transliterations and notes, as well as interpretative versions of prayers in English, to aid in understanding the Hebrew prayers both intellectually and spiritually.
“Reconstructionists tend to conduct more intimate worship services in which everyone is involved and the rabbi, if there is one, does not dominate.”
-Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach by Rebecca T. Alpert and Jacob J. Staub
Services and study groups are currently either lay-led or led by guest rabbis, as we are engaged in a search for a new rabbi.
In addition to services for major holy days – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu BiShvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot – Shalom Rav currently offers two types of Shabbat services either entirely online via Zoom or as hybrid in-person/Zoom services.
Friday Evening Service
On the first Friday night Shabbat of each month the Congregation holds a traditional, lively, and engaging Friday Evening Service. Currently held via Zoom.
Shabbat Service
Our Torah Service is held on the third Shabbat of each month, and focuses on themes emerging from the Parshah of the week. Led by members of the congregation, this service is warm and participatory. We invite you to study the Parshah ahead of time and share questions, thoughts, and insights. You can attend the services in-person or via Zoom. Online participants are able to contribute as much as they desire, this is not a webinar!
We are delighted to host many visitors and guests in addition to our members at our annual Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services. The services are participatory, meaningful, and provide a renewing of spirit and a time to spend together with the community, with the introspection that accompanies these Days of Awe.
In addition, Shalom Rav holds services on the following annual Holy Days: Sukkot, Hoshana Raba, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu B’Shvat, Purim, Passover, Shavuot and back to the High Holiday Sing in the Fall. Our annual community Passover Seder is a 25-year old tradition in Austin.