We invite you to come explore Or Hadash... a vibrant, warm and welcoming community. On Shabbat we sing, pray and study together in an inclusive setting.
REFORM JUDAISM: Throughout history, we Jews have remained firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, even as we learned much from our encounters with other cultures. Nevertheless, since its earliest days, Reform Judaism has asserted that a Judaism frozen in time is an heirloom, not a living fountain. The great contribution of Reform Judaism is that it has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving tradition, to embrace diversity while asserting commonality, to affirm beliefs without rejecting those who doubt, and to bring faith to sacred texts without sacrificing critical scholarship.
Reform Judaism affirms the central tenets of Judaism - God, Torah and Israel - even as it acknowledes the diversity of Reform Jewish beliefs and practices. We believe that all human beings are created in the image of God, and that we are God's partners in improving the world. Tikkun olam - repairing the world - is a hallmark of Reform Judaism as we strive to bring peace, freedom, and justice to all people.
Reform Jews accept the Torah as the foundation of Jewish life containing God's ongoing revelation to our people and the record of our people's ongoing relationship with God. We see the Torah as God inspired, a living document that enables us to confront the timeless and timely challenges of our everyday lives.
In addition to our belief that Judaism must change and adapt to the needs of the day in order to survive, and in addition to our firm commitment to Tikkun Olam, the following principles distinguish Reform Jews from other streams of Judaism in North America.
Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion, not exclusion. Since 1978 the Reform Movement has been reaching out to Jews-by-choice and interfaith families, encouraging them to embrace Judaism.
Reform Jews are committed to the absolute equality of women and men in all areas of Jewish life. We were the first movement to ordain women rabbis, invest women contors, and elect women presidents of our synagogue.
This Synagogue is to support and enrich the Reform Jewish community by cultivating a love and understanding of the Jewish heritage, stimulating fellowship in the Jewish community and strengthening the bonds of loyalty with the Jewish people everywhere.
In all endeavors, members shall strive to treat each other with dignity and respect, and to conduct the affairs of the Synagogue in an open and transparent manner.
In order to advance the cause for liberal Judaism in Canada and throughout the world, this Congregation shall maintain its affiliation with the Union of Reform Judaism and the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Our community believes that our children are the builders of our future and we proud to have been the center of Jewish education for residents of Northern York Region for over 20 years.
Our students work towards the educational foundation necessary to be formally welcomed as adult members of the Jewish Community. Historically this happened for boys at the age of 13 through a ceremony known as "bar mitzvah," literally, "son of the commandment" which recognized that they had reached the age when he was no longer a minor according to Jewish law and thereby took on new religious privileges and responsibilities of an adult.
In Reform Synagogues, girls, like boys, mark this symbolic entry into Jewish adulthood through an identical ceremony known as 'bat mitzvah.'
Our curriculum is professionally developed and delivered. If you have ever attended a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration at Or Hadash you can see that our students stand out.
Just as our community believes that our children are the builders of our future so too do we believe that no child should be denied a Jewish education because of financial considerations. No matter what your circumstance we will ensure that your child gets the education they need to carry our sacred traditions forward.
Please contact us for more information about our program and enrolment options.
