Moriah is a special place. What makes it so special is not the fact that the sanctuary is filled to capacity every Shabbat. Or the fact that it offers a diverse array of meaningful learning opportunities for children, teenagers, adults, and families throughout the year. Or the fact that every Shabbat, congregants linger in the social hall long after services have concluded. These are things that describe most thriving synagogue communities. What makes Moriah special are the people.

The people who come together to create the Moriah community reflect the diversity of the larger Jewish community. Some of them are leaders in the community – rabbis, cantors, educators, philanthropists, employees, board members of Jewish organizations, and activists for Jewish causes – while others are just beginning to discover how they might contribute to the future of the Jewish people. Some of them are deeply committed to Jewish observance — keeping kosher, observing Shabbat, praying every day – while others are just beginning to explore the profound power of a life of mitzvot. Some are learned — able to read Torah and Haftarah, lead the community in prayer, and engage in the study of Torah and Talmud – while others are just beginning to discover the beauty of Jewish learning and practice. Some come from families with deep Jewish roots, while others come from families new to Judaism and Jewish life. Some members are single, while others are married. Many families have young children, while just as many have older children and grandchildren. Some have been here since the day Moriah opened, while other have been here for less than a month.

Despite their diversity, Moriah members are united by the importance of Judaism and Jewish identity in their lives, by their desire to learn and to understand, by a profound respect for Jewish tradition and a dedication to the perpetuation of the Jewish people, and by a deep care and concern for one another and a commitment to their synagogue community. This is something that you will not often find, even in otherwise thriving synagogue communities. This is what makes Moriah special.