Or Shalom Jewish Community | Progressive Reconstructionist Synagogue in Bernal Heights

Or Shalom is a vibrant Reconstructionist synagogue located in the heart of Bernal Heights, a community that values inclusivity and connection. Founded in the late 1980s by three women in interfaith relationships who sought to create a Jewish community that reflected their values, Or Shalom has deep roots and a progressive vision.

What began as a modest after-school program in a living room has grown into a thriving spiritual home serving the neighborhood and beyond. Today, situated at 333 Cortland Avenue, Or Shalom continues its legacy as a welcoming sanctuary where people of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and experience Jewish life together.

Key Features:

Affiliation: Reconstructionist Judaism (Reconstructing Judaism).

Community Values: Deeply inclusive, interfaith-friendly, and socially conscious.

Offerings: Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, and educational programs for all ages.

Change as Tradition: Or Shalom’s Reconstructionist Approach

Or Shalom was founded in the late 1980s and early 1990s, primarily by three women in interfaith relationships. They were exploring the options for Jewish life in the city. They didn’t see themselves reflected in what was available, both in terms of accepting interfaith families, the type of Jewish education they wanted for their kids, and their progressive politics.

It began as a school that offered an after-school program for kids. The framework, which was very different from Jewish education at the time (though not that different from today), was that the students had to want to attend. There was no forced Hebrew school. If you’re in the Jewish community, you understand being forced to go to Hebrew school as a kid. The idea was that no child could be forced to attend school. It had to be voluntary, and it was up to the teachers to create an environment compelling enough for the students to attend.