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Services

SERVICES

Congregation Shalom Rav offers regular Shabbat services and Holy Day celebrations, we have many opportunities for collective worship 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, Hanukkah, Tu BiShvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot – all Shalom Rav services are held either entirely online (via Zoom) or as hybrid in-person/Zoom services.  

FRIDAY EVENING SERVICES

Our Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday Evening Services, are held at least once a month, usually on the first Friday of the month.  Led either by a guest Rabbi or members of the congregation, this joyful and participatory service is held entirely via Zoom, which allows us the pleasure of inviting guest rabbis from all over the country.  Recent guest rabbis have included R" Gershon Winkler, R" Gordy Fuller, R" Anna Gray Beroll, R" Ilan Glazer, and R" Ari Vernon.

 

SHABBAT SERVICES

Our Torah Services are held at least once a month, and focus on themes emerging from the Parshah of the week.  Led either by a guest Rabbi or 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!  

HOLIDAYS

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 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 tradition in Austin.


OUR Guest RABBIS

Congregation Shalom Rav is currently engaged in the search for a new rabbi, and our services are led by guest rabbis.  Rabbi Ari Vernon leads our High Holiday services, most of our holiday services, and most of our Torah services, while Rabbi Ilan Glazer leads our monthly Friday Evening Services.

 

Thu, March 13 2025 13 Adar 5785