Jewish values
Appreciation
Expressing appreciation to others and to God helps us feel greater empathy and cultivates positive feelings and healthy relationships.
Avoiding Waste
We are tenants on God’s earth with responsibilities to and for the environment, and partners with God in the creation of the world and in its maintenance.
Celebrate Jerusalem
Jerusalem - the capital of the Jewish nation and our spiritual pole - permeates our tefillot, beliefs, thoughts, and practices.
Chain of Tradition
Our beliefs and practices link us in a chain of tradition with previous generations, while our creativity adds new links to that chain.
Cherishing the Elderly
We must recognize the "beauty" of older people's past and current contributions to their community and family. The elderly deserve to be treated with respect, understanding, and special sensitivity.
Dignity
Each person possesses infinite value and is entitled to infinite respect and concern.
Family Harmony
Positive family relations must be purposely built, and each individual must contribute to that effort.
Festivals of Joy
The Jewish holidays during the month of Tishrei give us the opportunity to enhance our spiritual happiness.
Finding Beauty
There is beauty created by God, beauty created by people, beauty found inside of us, and beauty we perceive in others.
Friendship
True and enduring friendship can only be built on a foundation of giving.
Guarding Your Health
We are created in the image of God; therefore, our bodies should be treated with care and respect.
Hospitality
We perform this mitzvah by welcoming guests to our homes, synagogues, schools, and neighborhoods. Even nations have an obligation to welcome strangers.
In God's Image
When we recognize that all people are created in God’s image, we connect to that part of God in them and treat them with love and respect.
Ingathering of Exiles to Israel
The longing of Jews to return to Israel has helped us retain a Jewish identity throughout the centuries. The aliyah of Jews from all over the world has transformed Israel.
Judge Favorably
We must search for good qualities in other people before jumping to conclusions.
Knowledge of the Land of Israel
The Jewish people have ancient ties to the land of Israel. The more familiar we are with the land of our ancestors, the more connected to it we will be.
Leadership
Jewish leaders provide a vision based on Jewish values; they stand up for what is important, and anticipate the needs of the community. Everyone is a leader in some capacity.
Learning Torah
Learning Torah is an affirmation of our spiritual vitality and the means of cementing our bond with God. Insights gained through the continuous learning of Torah give meaning to life and provide communal uplift.
Love of the Land of Israel
The Jewish people have always felt a deep connection with and love for the Land of Israel.
Love of Zion
In every generation there has been a call for Jews to return to Zion. There has always been a deep connection between the People of Israel and the Land of Israel. The State of Israel represents an opportunity for Jews to express our national identity in all areas of life including the government, the army, and the court system.
Making Choices
To make good decisions, we must recognize and think through our choices.
Miracles and Wonders
Not all miracles are supernatural. There are also miracles in the regular course of nature and in our everyday lives. Our lives are enriched when we look at the world around us with a sense of awe and intense curiosity. Miracles demonstrate the greatness of God in this world.
Mutual Responsibility
Arevut inspires response-ability: learning to be aware of, sensitive to, and responsive to the needs of the Jewish community.
New Beginnings
New beginnings can produce positive growth on many levels: individual, group, and national.
Perseverance
Perseverance is anchored in hope and having a purpose (vision) in life.
Personal Satisfaction
True happiness emerges when we can appreciate what we have and look back at our accomplishments with satisfaction.
Protecting the Environment
God not only gave humans dominion over the environment, but also commanded us to protect and care for it.
Redemption
Redemption is an ongoing process in Jewish history that includes physical redemptions of the Jewish people as well as psychological redemption from attitudes that enslave us.
Remembrance
Memory is about what we consider important to pass on. Remembering something means keeping it constantly in our consciousness and learning from events of the past.
Respect for Animals
We show sensitivity to animals in the way that we treat them, not in the way that we feel about them. Human beings have permission to use animals for our benefit, not to exploit them.
Returning
Teshuvah is returning to one's better self and fulfilling the mission that God intended for each of us. We have the power to choose the right path, but this choice can often be difficult.
Righteous Giving
No act of tzedakah is too small to make a difference. Jews have an obligation to give a percentage of their possessions and money to the needy. When the community works together, the impact from tzedakah is greater.
Social Action
Jews are obligated to work toward creating a more just and righteous society.
Taking Initiative
We should look for occasions to contribute to society and be alert for those opportunities. However, there is a difference between passion and over-zealousness.
The Power of Rescue
Jews must get involved in helping people who are in trouble. Standing idly by is not an option.
The Power of Speech
Concentration and focused action ensure that language is used in a positive way.