Welcome to Congregation Shalom

Congregation Shalom is dedicated to creating a warm and meaningful environment for learning about and living liberal Judaism. Congregation Shalom was founded in 1967 (at the time of the 6-day war, our name expressed our hope that peace would prevail in Israel) and has grown over the years. Families and individuals gather to celebrate Jewish traditions in ways responsive to modern men and women; to worship together and nourish our spirituality; to educate children in Judaism’s rich heritage and in its contemporary significance; to care for others with humility and compassion; and to provide a center for sharing with others in the social joys of good fellowship. Our members take pride in our concept of an “extended family” where everyone is welcome.

Congregation Shalom is a Reform congregation and a member of the Union of Reform Judaism.

Join us for Shabbat or an event that interests you to meet the members and the Rabbi. For more information call us at (978) 251-8091 or email our Membership Director.

Commit to Connect, Strengthen and Inspire

Congregation Shalom’s Pledge-Based Membership System

In June 2019, we transformed our transactional system of membership dues into a pledge system that is voluntary. We believe that a synagogue isn’t just a building, but rather an extended family where people can connect in meaningful ways, throughout all of life’s stages, to each other and to Judaism. We hope that our community can be a place of support, meaning, and inspiration in your life. As a Kehillah Kedoshah, a holy community, we strive to inspire both our adult members and our youth to live Jewishly through spiritual, educational, and social opportunities.

The funds from our members’ pledges form the basis of our annual revenue. Additional fundraising efforts help make up the rest. Other standard fees, such as Religious School tuition and Bar/Bat Mitzvah fees, remain separate obligations.

We ask members to make an annual commitment pledge that reflects both their own financial ability and the value they place in Temple membership. We provide a recommended pledge amount based on our current operating needs, but realize that not all of our member families will be able to provide this recommended amount. We trust, however, that new and old members alike will take the time to understand the Congregation’s financial needs and their role in supporting those needs, and we further trust that members know their own ability to give financially based on their circumstances.

For more information about becoming a member of Congregation Shalom, call us at (978) 251-8091 or use the form below to contact our membership director.

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Key Facts About Congregation Shalom

Congregation Shalom is a Reform congregation with a full-time Rabbi. Rabbi Shoshana Perry has been with us since 1998.

Shabbat Services: We offer Tot Shabbats (at 6:00 p.m.) on select Friday nights, Torah Tots on 2 Saturday mornings a year (at 10:15), monthly Family Shabbat services (at 7:00 p.m.) and adult evening services. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are conducted during Saturday morning services. Check the calendar to see which type of service is being held on a particular Shabbat and the times.

Oneg Shabbats are hosted by our temple families. Each temple family, after their first year membership, is required to host one to two onegs each year.

Social activities are numerous at Congregation Shalom. We have an active Youth Group, Brotherhood, and Sisterhood. Additionally, there is a multitude of clubs, as well as a Social Committee, that plan various programs during the year.

We have many Committees, including Caring (helping those in need within our congregation), Social Action (helping those in need in our community), and Adult Education (providing interesting programs), at Congregation Shalom. Being active on a committee is a great way to be involved in our congregation and make new friends.

Our School includes preschool (ages 3 & 4) through high school seniors. Participation in the preschool, which meets twice per month, does not require membership. Temple membership is required for grades kindergarten on up. Weekly religious school starts in kindergarten; Hebrew class is added in 3rd grade. We require 5 years in the Hebrew school to complete bar/bat mitzvah.

For More Information: Email our Membership Chairperson or call the temple office at (978) 251-8091 and leave a message for our Membership Chairperson who will get back to you.

Membership Documents

New Member Application Form (PDF)

Fact Sheet (PDF)

Please fill out the membership application, print it, and mail to our office, attention membership chair.