Welcome to Shoreshim Jewish Community

We have a list of Frequently Asked Questions to introduce you to our community.
Click here for the FAQs

Our Annual Community One-day Retreat was a Great Time

The Shoreshim retreat was held at the Clagget center in Adamstown, MD once again this year, on April 29. Rabbi Ben Shalva led us in morning prayer and surprised us with scandalous 10^th and 11^th century poems on the topic, “Love, Sex, and Death – Hebrew Poetry from the Spanish Golden Age.”  Needless to say, we will be talking about the poem of Moses Ibn Ezra (1055-1135) for years to come!
We shared walks, meals, games, and even a Jewish silent auction! The auction was run by the other Jewish community retreat happening at the Clagett Center that weekend. What a surprise!  Meeting up with old friends truly rounded out a wonderful, sunny day!

There will be many more events in 2023! If you are interested in attending, or would like additional information about Reston Shoreshim, please call us at 703-493-1114 or send an email to info@restonshoreshim.org.

If you have just two minutes, this video from the lovely people at Cornerstones, the faith-based group serving our local community, describes how the organization works to help vulnerable families, with contributions from the Shoreshim congregation. We’re so proud to be a part of their activities!

Shoreshim Community Hanukkah Celebration

We had a wonderful time on Sunday, December 18, when we gathered in person to light our menorahs, sing songs, and enjoy a delicious spread of latkes, chicken, salads, and jelly donuts. The festive spirit of our community was shining bright!

2022 High Holidays

This year’s High Holiday services were open to the public in person and online.
We were happy to meet in person in Reston by following safety protocols, reuniting with old friends, and making new ones.

Videos will be available soon on Reston Shoreshim’s YouTube channel. (2021 services are there now)

Shoreshim means ROOTS

Our deeply rooted Jewish values include:
Chesed – caring, kindness
Kahilla – community
Tzedakkah – social justice
Tikun Olam – a responsibility to help heal the world in which we live

Shoreshim is a “shul without walls,” a vibrant and friendly havurah – a group of Jews who gather to facilitate Shabbat and holiday prayer services, and to share communal experiences. We are a participatory community that crafts creative and spiritual activities led by members or by area Rabbis with whom we work closely. By choice, we do not own a building and, for over 40 years, have met at venues in the Reston area.

Our members live in Northern Virginia and come from a wide range of Jewish traditions – Orthodox, conservative, Reform, Nontheistic, Humanistic. Our membership includes those raised as Jews, Jews by choice, and interfaith families.  We are open to all who want to connect with Judaism, including traditional families, couples, individuals, and people of all gender identifications.

Some say food is love. Well, we love food.
Tasty treats are a basic element of many Shoreshim events and our community has a number of fine cooks willing to share their best recipes.
Check out the Shoreshim Recipe Corner.