Berwyn Synagogue Holding Open House

BERWYN, PA — A mainline Conservative synagogue, Berwyn's Congregation Or Shalom, is inviting those interested in its community to an open house and to meet its Rabbi.

For those following the Hebrew calendar, the High Holidays — also known as Year 5782 — are coming “early” this year, falling on Labor Day weekend. With Erev Rosh Hashanah set for Sept. 6, prospective members are invited to meet Rabbi Kami Knapp Schechter and members of the Congregation on Aug. 1 and learn about the community and its school.

Berwyn's Congregation Or Shalom has served the Jewish community of the western Main Line for almost 50 years and will open its doors and backyard for the Open House. The Rabbi invites prospective families, singles, and couples to see what makes this synagogue haimish, or homelike, warm, and comfortable.

Known as the Conservative synagogue of the western Main Line, Or Shalom describes itself as a family-oriented community of religious worship, lifelong education, inclusiveness, spiritual guidance, and Jewish life cycle support.

The Open House is Aug. 1 at the synagogue from noon to 2 p.m., featuring food, drink, games, and tours.

Prospective members will also have a chance to talk to current congregants, meet their Jewish neighbors, and learn about Congregation Or Shalom’s programs for Jews of all ages, a news statement from the Congregation explained. The synagogue said it prides itself as a small community where everyone knows your name.

The synagogue offers traditional High Holiday services; Friday night and Saturday morning worship; Bar and Bat Mitzvah training; a religious school; year-round adult education plus a Sisterhood and Men's Club.

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, students will return to Or Shalom’s classrooms on Aug. 29. Registration for Or Shalom's religious school is now open for children entering Kindergarten through 7th grade. K-2nd grades have classes on Sunday while older students meet twice weekly — on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. Hebrew High, for post-Bar and Bat Mitzvah-ed teens, meet on Sundays.

Congregation Or Shalom is on Rt. 252 in Berwyn, 3 miles from Lancaster Avenue (Route 30). Membership is required for children to attend the synagogue school but there is no tuition.

A full schedule of the upcoming High Holiday services and fall events can be found at the synagogue's website, here.

For more information on registering a child for the 2021-22 religious school year, contact the synagogue's office at 610-644-9086 or email them at office@orshalom.com.

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