Havurat Shalom is based in Andover, Massachusetts. Our congregants come from various communities in the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire. We hold Shabbat twice a month: once in person and once on Zoom. In person Shabbat is always available on Zoom. If you would like to avail yourself of the Zoom option please Email us to obtain the link. We also hold in person services during the High Holy Days. These events are broadcast live on Facebook.
We are a Reconstructionist congregation committed to providing a Jewish identity, education and spiritual practice for its members in a manner that is meaningful for our contemporary lives. We are an inclusive, welcoming and engaged community focused on the spiritual and cultural development of all of its members, and support for each other and the larger community in which we live. more
More than 40 congregants attended Community Passover April 23
We are run as a cooperative. Some of our congregant leaders are changing roles and therefore there is ample opportunity to become involved and have your voice heard. If this is of interest to you please contact us.
Learn about upcoming events sponsored by Reconstructing Judaism
Heritage Trips
We have taken trips to Spain, Eastern Europe, NYC, Selma and Israel.
Active Social Justice
We are active in social justice causes.
High Holiday Services
We offer free and open services for Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur. These events are broadcast live on FB.
Music
Music is an important part of our Havurat Shalom traditions. Our musicians offer instrumental accompaniment at Shabbat and High Holy Day services. Cellist Cameron Sawzin provides the deeply spiritual, “Kol Nidre” on solo cello accompanied by pianist Miles Goldberg at our Yom Kippur service.
Our in person Shabbat services include traditional selections plus modern interpretations of the Shabbat musical literature. Piano is accompanied by flute with occasional percussion.
Spiritual Style
Our Shabbat and holiday observances are led by Rabbi Karen Landy, a Reconstructionist Rabbi. On the High Holy Days Rabbi Karen is joined by Chazzan, David Hastings, in leading our services. Beginning in 2012, our congregation adopted the siddur, Mishkan Tefilah, a wonderful prayerbook including Hebrew, English and transliteration of all prayers, in addition to thoughtful and inspirational additional readings. For the High Holy Days, we use a text that has been developed by the congregation over forty years, including some original contributions by our religious school children, some of whom now have children of their own.
Hebrew School
We are seeking more young families as members so that we may restart this program.
In previous years, our Hebrew School provided a curriculum including Hebrew language training, cultural and ethnic education and holiday celebrations. Classes would be taught weekly for 90 minutes by experienced teachers with small groups of children. Our early-entry program, for children in Grades K-2, “Jumping Into Judaism”, would meet once per month. We are currently reviewing a potential re-start of these programs.
Designed withWordPress
Havurat Shalom 