Our Values

In the spirit of Progressive Judaism, we continue to examine and refine our beliefs. And as we look to the future, we affirm Halacha (Jewish Law) as an evolving process and recognise the responsibility of each member of our congregation to make informed choices about their personal Jewish growth and their personal role in sustaining our vibrant community.

We provide a home for all who seek to draw near to God. Hebrew will always be an integral part of our Jewish learning and services, and a common thread that unites us as a people.

We value our role as a centre for lifelong Jewish learning and spiritual development within the synagogue, the community, and the home. Our commitment to Jewish education started in 1962 with our first Bar Mitzvah, and continues to be the cornerstone of our Jewish life together – from our Meah Hebrew and Religion school students to the Introduction to Judaism class that is open to anyone in the community who would like to learn the basics of Judaism (holidays, rituals, life cycle, theology, texts, history, Israel, Jewish values and more).

We encourage the active participation of our members in all aspects of synagogue life, with Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) as our guiding principle. Tikkun Olam is expressed through the performance of Mitzvot (good deeds) and Tzedakah (the giving of time and money to promote social justice).

We serve as an extended family, valuing friendship and chavurah (communal friendship) to respond to the spiritual and social needs of our members. We are constantly strengthening and reaffirming our communal bonds. Our Community Wellbeing program is a new, comprehensive approach to caring for our community that encompasses NSTE’s efforts to keep in touch with our community and friends more regularly, as well as provide pastoral and practical support whenever help is needed.

We also value collaboration, a spirit of openness, inclusion and transparency that welcomes and encourages the positive contributions of all members of a community, and celebrates their many diversities (ethnicity, background, economic status, et al). We actively reach out to the broader North Shore community with the goal of promoting understanding and mutual respect that lead to the creation of partnerships on substantive programs that contribute toward Tikkun Olam.

Likewise, we accept our obligation to reach out to Jews who do not currently participate in Jewish religious life and offer all who desire it the means to reawaken their interest and involvement

Finally, we are committed to the State of Israel, Klal Yisrael (the entirety of the Jewish people) and the welfare of all humanity.