- About Us
- Spiritual Life
- Adult Learning
- Youth and Families
- Community
- Social Justice
- COVID-19
- Giving
Core Values
Core Values
CDT’s values express our highest aspirations for who we are and who we hope to be as a congregation. They are a touchstone for us to reflect on in our actions and our decisions, guiding us in our life together as a community.
This list of values was developed over the course of 2014-2015 through discussions guided by the CDT Board and involving the congregational membership as a whole. We are grateful to Rabbi David Teutsch for the list of Jewish values that he included in A Guide to Jewish Practice, published by the Center for Jewish Ethics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, which served as our springboard into the process of developing our set of core values.
קְהִלָּה Kehillah (Commitment to Community): According to Jewish tradition, human beings can only fulfill themselves in relationship with others. The Torah teaches that the holiest form of community is formed by a brit, a covenant, in which individuals enter into sacred relationship with one another and with the Source of Life. Anchored within a web of mutual obligation, members share a commitment to the wellbeing of the community and its values, and to one another.
חֶסֶד Chesed (Lovingkindness): We extend to one another lovingkindness, sharing joyful times and difficult times, providing comfort, marking milestones, and supporting one another through life’s transitions.
Inclusion and Human Dignity: We affirm the idea that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim, “in God’s image,” and is thus deserving of care and respect. We welcome all those who share our values: people of all ages, races and ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.
כַּוָֹנָה Kavanah (Sacred Intention): We engage in speech and action with integrity and with deliberate, thoughtful attention and intention.
תַלְמוּד תוֹרָה Talmud Torah - Lifelong Jewish Learning: We are committed to dynamic Jewish study, engaging with Jewish texts, values, practices, and traditions and “reconstructing” them in ways that move and inspire us today. We are committed to developing the Jewish education of our children, nourishing the next generation’s values, traditions, and spiritual and ethical practices.
מַחֲלוֹקֶת לְֹשֶם ֹשָמַיִם Machloket l’shem shamayim (Debate for the Sake of Heaven): We foster respectful discourse and affirm the traditional Jewish value of “debate for the sake of heaven”.
מִצְוָה Mitzvah (Ethical & Ritual Practice): We affirm the concept of mitzvah as “sacred connector,” a religious or ethical practice that connects us in many ways: to other people, to God/liness, to Jewish history and tradition, to the earth, to our own best selves. We seek to learn about both traditional and contemporary mitzvot and to explore their relevance to our lives and our world today.
Spirituality: We seek out and nurture experiences, both individually and collectively, that elevate, inspire, and connect us to That which is beyond ourselves. Our collective spiritual life, informed by Jewish practice, strengthens the community as a whole while supporting and fostering the spiritual journeys and personal growth of members.
תִקוּן עוֹלָם Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World): We strive to create a world that is just and kind. We pursue justice/tzedek for all—through personal, social, and political action. We understand that we are responsible for our broader community and our planet.
Thu, March 23 2023
1 Nisan 5783
Upcoming Events
-
Thursday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2023Mindful Mornings
Thursday, Mar 23rd 8:30a to 9:15a
This twice-weekly gathering combines guided and silent meditation to develop our capacity for mindful awareness and to cultivate qualities of patience, gratitude, and compassion. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2023Mindful Shabbat
Shabbat, Mar 25th 8:45a to 9:45a
-
Saturday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2023Shabbat Learner's Minyan: Part 2
Shabbat, Mar 25th 10:00a to 12:00p
Join R. Intern Akiva for a continuation of Shabbat learning! -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2023Shabbat Morning Services
Shabbat, Mar 25th 10:00a to 12:00p
-
Saturday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2023Discussion: "The Sum of Us"
Shabbat, Mar 25th 12:45p to 2:15p
Everyone is welcome, whether or not you attended our two previous sessions, and even if you haven't read the book! We'll be discussing Chapters 6-10. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2023Sunday Religious School
Sunday, Mar 26th 9:30a to 12:00p
-
Sunday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2023Kitah Vav Family Ed
Sunday, Mar 26th 9:30a to 12:00p
-
Sunday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2023Making Shabbat Ritual Meaningful with R. Intern Akiva: Part 1
Sunday, Mar 26th 10:00a to 11:00a
Join us to explore the meaning and music of the beautiful Friday evening rituals of Erev Shabbat. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2023Reparations & Societal Teshuvah: The German Experience
Sunday, Mar 26th 7:00p to 8:30p
As part of our commitment to exploring the issue of reparations in the U.S., all are invited to join CDT members Tatjana Meschede and Linette Liebling for an exploration of German acknowledgment of and reparations for the Holocaust. -
Monday ,
MarMarch 27 , 2023Mah Jong Group
Monday, Mar 27th 4:00p to 6:00p
If you already know how to play (or are a very quick game learner) and you are free on a weekday late afternoon, please join us!
Zmanim
Alot Hashachar | 5:20am |
Earliest Tallit | 5:52am |
Netz (Sunrise) | 6:44am |
Latest Shema | 9:47am |
Zman Tefillah | 10:49am |
Chatzot (Midday) | 12:52pm |
Mincha Gedola | 1:23pm |
Mincha Ketana | 4:27pm |
Plag HaMincha | 5:44pm |
Shkiah (Sunset) | 7:00pm |
Tzeit Hakochavim | 7:42pm |
More >> |