Origin of Jewish Renewal

Paradigm shifts in Judaism go back as far as the deconstruction of the Second Temple (70 CE) and the transition from the Priestly Judaism of the Temple Cult to today’s Rabbinic tradition.Other major shifts occurred in response to upheavals such as the Expulsion from Spain, the Enlightenment, the founding of the Hasidic movement, the emergence of Reform/post-halachic Judaism, and the trauma of the Holocaust. The current movement of Jewish Renewal traces its roots to the Havurah, feminism, and other late 20th century phenomena, but primarily to the work of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (z’l) and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Both Reb Shlomo and Reb Zalman were trained in the Lubavitch Hasidic movement and later left it founding their own institutions, ordaining students and planting the seeds of Jewish Renewal worldwide.

ALEPH is the outgrowth of B’nai Or Religious Fellowship, founded by Reb Zalman in 1962.

Join us for services! Please consult our calendar for services, times and locations.