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Shirat HaNefesh — Your Jewish home in southern Montgomery County

Shirat HaNefesh (Song of the Soul) is an eclectic Jewish congregation rooted in community, music, learning, and social justice. We welcome everyone from young families to vibrant elders, from interfaith and LBGTQ couples to singles of all ages. 

We value religious diversity, as our members range from Shabbat observant to secular. We seek through our practice, our prayer, our voices, and our questions to  foster joyous Jewish living and build a more just world. 

Upcoming Events

All Events
  • Saturday ,
    OctOctober  23 , 2021
    Visiting Rabbi: Julie Gordon
    Shabbat, Oct 23rd 10:00a to 12:00p
    Rabbi Julie Gordon defines herself as a post-denominational rabbi, influenced by many liberal Jewish thinkers and communities. Rabbi Julie was ordained in 1984 from HUC-JIR, NYC. She served progressive Conservative synagogues in Brooklyn, NY, and St. Paul, MN for 17 years. She worked as the Spiritual Life Director in the Heilicher Minneapolis Day School and directed religious school in St. Paul, MN, and Bethesda, MD. She retired from serving as Rabbi Educator at Hill Havurah in May. Rabbi Julie is continuing to serve God and our people through teaching Torah to adults and students, leading services, and guiding people to create meaningful life cycle celebrations. Rabbi Julie enjoys reading, making fudge, hiking, biking, and spending time with family and friends. She is grateful for the vaccine and returning to travel. Rabbi Julie and Jeremy Epstein live in Alexandria, VA. She feels blessed that her adult children, Shoshana and Tim, and Ari live in DC. In July we began a series of monthly visiting Rabbis. We have reached out to the Rabbinic community and received a terrific response of Rabbis interested in coming to visit and lead services. We plan to have one Shabbat a month led by a visiting Rabbi.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    OctOctober  30 , 2021
    Teen and Member Led Shabbat
    Shabbat, Oct 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
    On Shabbat Chayei Sarah (Oct. 30) we have a special "Camp Shabbat" led by many of our teenagers. They will give us a flavor of what it is like to celebrate Shabbat at camp and we promise -- no prior camp experience required.

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  • Friday ,
    NovNovember  5 , 2021
    Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom
    Friday, Nov 5th 6:00p to 7:00p
    Please join us on Zoom, contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org for the link.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    NovNovember  6 , 2021
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón
    Shabbat, Nov 6th 10:00a to 12:00p
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón. Please join us on Zoom, contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org for the link.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    NovNovember  13 , 2021
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón
    Shabbat, Nov 13th 10:00a to 12:00p
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón. Please join us on Zoom, contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org for the link.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    NovNovember  20 , 2021
    Visiting Rabbi: Rabbah Arlene Berger
    Shabbat, Nov 20th 10:00a to 12:00p
    Please join our monthly series of visiting rabbis. Rabbah Arlene Berger graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She has served as a congregational leader, chaplain, Jewish educator and community rabbi. Prior to becoming a rabbi she spent many years as a social worker and gerontologist. Rabbah Arlene’s rabbinate is built upon the premise that there are many paths to being Jewish. Her deepest conviction is that it is the responsibility of each human being to leave the world a better place than the world they were born into and that Judaism contains the blueprint for how to do this. Her vision for the future includes nurturing each person’s inner spark so that he or she finds a true home within Klal Israel, the Jewish People.

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  • Saturday ,
    DecDecember  4 , 2021
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón
    Shabbat, Dec 4th 10:00a to 12:00p
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón. Please join us on Zoom, contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org for the link.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    DecDecember  11 , 2021
    Member-Led Shabbat
    Shabbat, Dec 11th 10:00a to 12:00p
    It’s not too late to contribute your unique talents and perspective to this service, or any future ones! Please contact US to discuss your ideas and participation. * The organizers of the member-led services would prefer that attendees have prayer books on hand so they won't have to rely on screen sharing. Please contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org if you would like to borrow or purchase a prayer book. *

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  • Friday ,
    DecDecember  17 , 2021
    Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom
    Friday, Dec 17th 6:00p to 7:00p
    Please join us on Zoom, contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org for the link.

    MORE INFO

  • Saturday ,
    DecDecember  18 , 2021
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón
    Shabbat, Dec 18th 10:00a to 12:00p
    Shabbat Morning Service with Hazzan Ramón. Please join us on Zoom, contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org for the link.

    MORE INFO

 

Shirat HaNefesh is an eclectic Jewish congregation...

...rooted in community, music, learning, and social justice. We welcome everyone from young families to vibrant elders, from interfaith and LBGTQ couples to singles of all ages.  We seek through our practice, our prayer, our voices, and our questions to foster joyous Jewish living and build a more just world. 

 

  NEED HELP?  

For more information, technical help, or clergy assistance, please contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org. 

Shirat Hanefesh In Action


 

Shabbat Morning Services 

Shirat HaNefesh holds Shabbat morning services every week, led either by Hazzan Ramón Tasat, guest clergy, or lay members of the congregation.  Often, we expand the Torah service into a one-hour study session.


Kolot HaLev

Several times a year we are enriched with the singing of Kolot HaLev, our resident choir under the direction of Hazzan Ramón Tasat. From holidays to Havdalah, Kolot HaLev lifts the heart and voice of our community.


Book Discussion 

If you love to read and talk about books, you’re in good company. Our Book Discussions take place about every two months on a Sunday morning at a member’s home or on Zoom. Click the link above for the 2021-2022 schedule.


 

Cemetery 

Shirat HaNefesh has a cemetery section at Garden of Remembrance available for members’ needs.  Our clergy and our Chesed and Bereave-ment Committee can help with planning and shiva.  Please consult our guidance document, When Someone Dies , and contact us for help and comfort, at info@shirathanefesh.org 


Wise Aging

Several groups of members have been meeting to explore the aging process and how to grow old with wisdom, joy, and patience. Please contact us at info@shirathanefesh.org if you are interested in starting a new group.

 


Lots More...

There’s lots going on at Shirat HaNefesh!  Shabbat, our annual Chanukah party, Purim Shpiel, Passover Mimouna, Shavuot Tikkun, and musical and meaningful High Holiday services.  Explore our website, get on our mailing list, and talk to our clergy about how Shirat HaNefesh can enrich your life.

 

 

Contact Form

Don't be shy – say Hello!

We’d love to get to know you. Please contact us using the form below or by emailing info@shirathanefesh.org. It is in our prayers to return to our pre-COVID location soon: North Chevy Chase Christian Church, 8814 Kensington Parkway, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

 

Mon, October 18 2021 12 Cheshvan 5782