| Every week, the progress of our new building seems to unfold exponentially. First there were flat open spaces of packed earth. Then, a foundation was poured. Now, there is a structure, and by the end of this month, we will be able to fully imagine what things will look like when the job is complete. Yet, as we move forward in our expansion and growth, we do so with a great sense of reverence and love of the rich heritage and universal philosophies which remain central to our identity as a congregation and a community. The founders of Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism identified themselves as Classical Reform Jews. With values strongly grounded in the idea that Judaism is to be understood as a universal religious faith, rather than an ethnic or cultural identity, the founders of HCRJ were drawn to a style of Jewish practice and worship that complimented their American life styles. Today, we find these values most strongly represented in our prayer book and in some of the more dramatic liturgical music we use, especially during the Holy Days. On Friday night May 11, HCRJ will host a performance of one of the greatest works of Jewish liturgical music ever composed. The Sacred Service (Avotath HaKodesh) by Ernest Bloch is a monumental work for chorus and soloists. It was commissioned by Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco, premiered in 1934 and represents the style of liturgical musical expression which is associated with the height of Classical Reform Judaism. Today, Avotath HaKodesh remains one of the 20th century’s great compositions of musical devotion. A 60 member choir of singers representing over thirty nationalities will fill our bima and add to the magic of our Sabbath worship experience. This international choir embraces the spirit of HCRJ’s boundless commitment to interfaith and cross-cultural programming. |
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism (HCRJ) has celebrated over
50 years of worship as a Classical Reform Jewish temple in Houston,
Texas. Located in the heart of Houston’s Galleria area, HCRJ offers an
intimate, vibrant, and inclusive Jewish synagogue with a feeling of
warmth and welcoming where Jewish fellowship may flourish.
Rabbi Steven Gross has nurtured profound spiritual connections and an
engaged community since he began serving our congregation in 2005.
Our innovative religious school is based on a curriculum designed to
engage students in dynamic, interactive learning experiences that teach
Jewish history and principles through nature, art, cooking and other fun,
exciting activities. Classes are held on Sunday mornings.
We welcome you at any of our 7:15 p.m. Friday services.
50 years of worship as a Classical Reform Jewish temple in Houston,
Texas. Located in the heart of Houston’s Galleria area, HCRJ offers an
intimate, vibrant, and inclusive Jewish synagogue with a feeling of
warmth and welcoming where Jewish fellowship may flourish.
Rabbi Steven Gross has nurtured profound spiritual connections and an
engaged community since he began serving our congregation in 2005.
Our innovative religious school is based on a curriculum designed to
engage students in dynamic, interactive learning experiences that teach
Jewish history and principles through nature, art, cooking and other fun,
exciting activities. Classes are held on Sunday mornings.
We welcome you at any of our 7:15 p.m. Friday services.
| Bless all who enter this house. May the worship offered within its walls be worthy of Your greatness and Your love; that all who seek Your presence may find it here. For the joy of community, the gift of human diversity, and the vision of universal harmony, we offer our grateful thanks. -Union Prayer Book Sinai Edition |
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| Welcome to HCRJ Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism |
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| 801 Bering Drive Houston, Texas 77057 Tel: 713/782-4162 Fax: 713/782-4167 hcrj@hcrj.org |
We are currently in the
process of planning a
family trip to Israel.
June 9-20, 2012.
Click Here to access the
online registration form,
trip itinerary, pricing, and
terms/conditions.
process of planning a
family trip to Israel.
June 9-20, 2012.
Click Here to access the
online registration form,
trip itinerary, pricing, and
terms/conditions.
| 2012 Family Israel Trip |
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| Follow Us On |
| Follow Rabbi Gross on the HCRJ BLG. |
| Click Here for information on the improvements and expension we are making to our building. The HCRJ Pillars Campaign to fund the expansion of our new building is now in full swing. We hope to attain the financial participation of every member of our congregation in this much needed project to expand our facility. Every gift, no matter the size, constitutes a valuable contribution. Pledges may be paid over three years. Please pledge now. |
| Follow Rabbi Gross on the HCRJ BLOG. |
| Materniy Leave at HCRJ Both Melisa Wolfson, Temple Administrator, and Hilary Kamin, Religious School Director have welcomed new babies into the HCRJ Family. Melissa is back from maternity leave. Hilary will be on maternity leave through the end of May. During her absence, our religious school will be managed by Emily Feinstein. Emily's hours will be limited to Monday, Tuesday and Friday, so please be patient while Hilary is away. |
Sometimes things get a
little hectic in the office, and
we need extra hands to
help out with mailings.
If you can spare an hour or
so, and would like to be on
our list of people to call,
please either email the
office at hcrj@hcrj.org or call
the office at 713-782-4162
and we will keep your name
on file. We would really
appreciate your help.
little hectic in the office, and
we need extra hands to
help out with mailings.
If you can spare an hour or
so, and would like to be on
our list of people to call,
please either email the
office at hcrj@hcrj.org or call
the office at 713-782-4162
and we will keep your name
on file. We would really
appreciate your help.
| Volunteers Needed |
| Website Issues: Contact - admin@hcrj.org |
| INTERESTED IN SUMMER CAMP? CLICK HERE |
| A Truly Sacred Service at a Truly Sacred Time May 2012 |
| Please become a fan of our Facebook page. You can find information on upcoming events, programs, weekly reflections and much more on both our wesite and Facebook. Click to like us: Click here to follow us: |