Mission Statement

Central Reform Congregation represents the coming together of a diverse and inclusive group of individuals and families who accept the responsibility of maintaining a congregational community of respect and friendship. Through a process of nonjudgmental expression, we encourage a commitment to the life-long search for appropriate questions and new insights. Central Reform provides a home for our children, and us where we strive to create an environment of warmth, caring, growth and commitment.

The members of Central Reform Congregation, together, seek:

1. To create opportunities for expression of our Jewish spirituality and values;
   
2. To sustain our activities at a budgetary level appropriate to our commitment, objectives and our members' resources;
   
3. To provide appropriate Rabbinical support to the Congregation and from the Congregation to the Rabbis who serve us.
   
4. To pursue our interests in Jewish education of all members of the Congregation in a manner which is challenging and participatory;
   
5. To develop a flexibility in our liturgy using language that is creative, non-sexist, and non-hierarchical;
   
6. To support one another as we experience the life process; and
   
7. To become a moral force in the larger Jewish and non-Jewish communities through appropriate projects and actions.

Core Values

Our core values are central to everything we do and serve as guideposts for prioritizing our activities.

    A deep sense of community where we, in part, draw strength from       each other by connecting both in crisis and in celebration. It is a community
      that strives to make Judaism relevant and meaningful in the lives of its
      members.
   A respect for diversity including the valuing and sharing between
      generations and inclusiveness of all who seek to be a part of our community.
   A focus on others through commitment to social issues and a reaching out
      to the broader community. This is further supported by a deep belief in the
      possibilities of Tikkun Olam-the repair of the world.
   An expectation of participation by all its members. To a large extent the
      activities and the governance of the congregation are only possible through
      the active involvement of members.
   A lay-led congregation with a devotion to, but not over-dependence on the
      Rabbi. members feel they can "experiment" in expressions of their Judaism.
   An insatiable appetite for education. At all age levels, we are a
      congregation of eager learners and will aggressively support Jewish
      education.
   An embrace of struggle as a way to continually challenge and grow our
      beliefs as individuals, as a congregation and as members of the broader
      Jewish community.
   A sense of humor to ensure that we never get in our own way as we try
      to build and maintain respect, authentic, intimate Jewish community for all
      who seek us out and call us their community.
   A fiscally responsible congregation.

Participation Policy

Central Reform Congregation is a cooperative community requiring the active involvement of all its members. Whether it is religious services, religious school, adult education, office work, potluck dinners, Oneg Shabbats, special programs, community action, Mitzvah Corps, or Spiritual Enrichment Weekend, none of these can exist without voluntary member participation.

Involvement can take many forms. It means of course, to participate in the event, but even more so, it means helping to create the event. A contribution can be as simple as providing food and helping clean up after an Oneg, or as complex as planning for a weekend program, such as the Spiritual Enrichment Weekend.

The active involvement of our membership makes Central Reform Congregation unique. CRC belongs to every one of its members. By joining CRC, each member plays a part in making Central Reform Congregation a vital community.