Who We Are

Or Zarua is a warm, welcoming, caring and spiritual community that strives to create traditional, authentic, and joyous multi-generational Jewish life, eager to extend its love of Judaism and Jewish learning through study, prayer, varied programming, support of the State of Israel, and the pursuit of acts of kindness within and beyond our community.

Now in its 30th year, Congregation Or Zarua has distinguished itself as a vibrant, traditional, egalitarian, and fully participatory urban synagogue. Our congregation, led by Rabbi Scott Bolton, is centered on three fundamentals of Judaism: Torah (study and practice), Avodah (religious worship), and Gemilut Hasadim (doing good deeds). While traditional and authentic in our prayer, Torah study and religious observance, we are an egalitarian Conservative synagogue, offering men and women equality in all aspects of religious worship, participation and leadership.

Founded in 1989 by Rabbi Harlan J. Wechsler and a group of visionary lay leaders, Or Zarua is a welcoming, intimate, caring and spiritual community that strives to create traditional, joyous and authentic Jewish life in a multi-generational setting, eager to extend its love of Judaism and Jewish learning through study, prayer, varied programming, support of the State of Israel, and the pursuit of acts of kindness within and beyond our community.

Click here to learn more about Or Zarua’s Core Ideas