Mishkan Shalom Welcomes All To High Holidays

Mishkan Shalom, a synagogue affiliated with the Reconstructing Judaism movement, is planning for its inclusive services for the Jewish High Holy days of Rosh HaShanah/the New Year and Yom Kippur/ Day of Repentance. In fact, the synagogue, located in a beautiful, converted mill in Roxborough, actually assumes the cost of moving to an even larger venue, The Haverford School, so that there is plenty of room for everyone who wishes to attend. And yet, all the High Holy Day services remain free-of-charge to anyone who wants to attend. This anomaly is rooted in the synagogue's history and based on the founding principle of all types of inclusion.

Over 30 years ago, Mishkan Shalom has been welcoming Jews married to non-Jews, Jews of color, those who are differently abled, LGBTQ+ and even non-Jews who are moved by our commitment to social justice. Our children might have two Jewish parents, or one. They may be Jews of color, non-binary, gay, straight or searching. The school is a place where kids -- and their families -- show up as who they are in order to learn and live a Jewish life. It is extraordinary.

For many Jewish people who are unaffiliated with a synagogue, the cost of procuring tickets for the High Holy Days is prohibitive. As part of Mishkan Shalom’s Statement of Principles, the community embraces members of the Jewish community – especially those who have felt excluded from participation in synagogue life, including interfaith and LGBTQ+ families, people with disabilities and their families and people who are struggling economically.

“This year, 5780, we enter a new Jewish decade and the possibilities of transformative new beginning,” says Rabbi Shawn Zevit. “ Whatever our age or stage of life, our tradition says any turning of a decade can be a time to break the shackles that hold us and others back, to tap into the miracle of life itself, and in community and relationship, find or refine our calling and purpose. We will explore these themes in our dynamic rituals and musical prayer, mindfulness services, discussions and workshops, in which we will pause to consider where our lives have been and where they are heading.”

For information and a schedule of services, go to the Mishkan website for description of all the services and their specific locations.

Mishkan Shalom was founded in 1988 with a Statement of Principles that expresses the synagogue’s commitment to integrating three areas of Jewish life: Torah - study, Avodah – prayer and G’milut Hasadim/Tikkun Olam – acts of caring and repair of the world.