Who We Are

The Charry Sanctuary congregation is one of three worship and study communities that meet in our building. Ours is a Conservative and egalitarian service. By Conservative, we mean that our style of service is traditional and that our synagogue is affiliated with the Conservative movement. By egalitarian, we mean that women and men participate equally in all aspects of the service and that congregants are encouraged to take leadership roles in the service.

Most of our service is conducted in Hebrew, the language of Judaism's most sacred texts and of the modern state of Israel.

• We use Siddur Sim Shalom and have a transliteration guide available for those with limited Hebrew skills.
• Our service begins with Shacharit (the Shabbat morning service) and continues with the Torah service and Musaf.
• Our reading from the Torah follows the Triennial cycle (completing the reading of the Torah every three years).
• The D'var Torah (torah learning) based on the week's reading or our place in the Jewish year often invites discussion in the congregation.
• Children are welcome at the service, and our youngest members are encouraged to join us at the bimah at the service's conclusion for kiddush and motzei (the blessings over wine and hallah).

• Shabbat and Holiday Mornings begin with services from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. At the conclusion of services a kiddush allows time for socializing, discussion, and sharing life cycle moments. Our services are usually held in the Charry Sanctuary, named for Elias Charry, rabbi of the congregation from 1942 to 1983. Services are sometimes held in the Magil Chapel or the Marcus Auditorium.
• Child care is available (during the school year) for infants to five-year-olds from 10:15 am to 12:00 noon.
• Children's services for children up to the age of 13 run from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. There are several services for various age groups. These programs meet during the school year only.
• Bar and Bat Mitzvah discussion group meets periodically at 10:00 am and includes attendance at an adult service.
• Joint services with other minyanim take place weekdays on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday mornings in the Magil Chapel, and each Friday night at 6:00 pm in Maslow Auditorium. Occasional joint services on Shabbat and Holidays take place throughout the year as do communal Shabbat luncheons.

• Members of the Charry Sanctuary have organized havurot (fellowship groups). New groups are always encouraged.
• Adult Education classes on Prayer Book Hebrew and Synagogue Skills classes are designed to facilitate active participation in the Charry Service.
• Family Shabbatot, arranged through our Religious School, offer a chance for families to learn and worhip together.

• Leading part of the service, chanting Torah or Haftarah, offering a special reading or teaching.
• Celebrating a life cycle moment with the community by sponsoring a kiddush and taking an aliyah to the Torah.
• Welcoming newcomers by volunteering as an Usher/Greeter.

• Rabbi Leonard Gordon: 215-844-1507 x18
• Rabbi Adam Zeff: 215-844-1507 x16