Early Sonoma had a tiny but influential Jewish presence. City pioneers remembered in the local landscape include Schocken (Hill) and Nathanson (Creek). But it wasn't until 1995 that the area's congregational seed was planted, after a Sonoma resident wrote a letter to the local newspaper asking, in effect, "Am I the only Jew around here?" Sixty-three people answered her invitation to meet at the town's community center, and on August 30th of that year, officially formed what was then called the Sonoma Valley Jewish Community.
In 1996, First Congregational Church generously offered to share their home on West Spain Street. We are grateful and still sharing the same spiritual space for worship, gatherings, education, cultural, and social events. That same year we were blessed with our first rabbi, as the community officially allied itself with the Reform movement. Seventy-eight households became founding members; presently our membership tilts just over one hundred households.
The choice of the name Congregation Shir Shalom "Song of Peace" was to acknowledge our love of music, which brings a heightened level of spirituality to our worship. After five years of using other Jewish organizations' borrowed Torah Scrolls, we celebrated Simchat Torah 5761 (2000) by welcoming our very own Torah Scroll with singing, dancing, and feasting.
As a congregation our goal is to be engaged with our Jewish roots, challenged in our spiritual growth and to be a source of comfort for every member. We encourage members of all ages to participate, not as guests in a stranger's house, but as a family in Shir Shalom’s happy, familiar, and loving community. Together we grow, learn, celebrate, and play. We are an inclusive, interfaith community that, from the beginning, has welcomed singles and families (both traditional and non-traditional). Your membership in Congregation Shir Shalom supports more than your own participation; it supports and enriches a Jewish presence in the Valley.
We are blessed to have the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Steve Finley whose wisdom, humor, and musical talent enhance Shir Shalom, our community, and our song of peace.
Like a myriad of Jewish communities everywhere, Congregation Shir Shalom is busily weaving its own notes into the multi-layered melody that is our Judaism. We are not affiliated with any movement, and proudly call ourselves--Just Jewish! Our unique Shir Shalom song becomes stronger and more beautiful with each passing Shabbat.
In 1996, First Congregational Church generously offered to share their home on West Spain Street. We are grateful and still sharing the same spiritual space for worship, gatherings, education, cultural, and social events. That same year we were blessed with our first rabbi, as the community officially allied itself with the Reform movement. Seventy-eight households became founding members; presently our membership tilts just over one hundred households.
The choice of the name Congregation Shir Shalom "Song of Peace" was to acknowledge our love of music, which brings a heightened level of spirituality to our worship. After five years of using other Jewish organizations' borrowed Torah Scrolls, we celebrated Simchat Torah 5761 (2000) by welcoming our very own Torah Scroll with singing, dancing, and feasting.
As a congregation our goal is to be engaged with our Jewish roots, challenged in our spiritual growth and to be a source of comfort for every member. We encourage members of all ages to participate, not as guests in a stranger's house, but as a family in Shir Shalom’s happy, familiar, and loving community. Together we grow, learn, celebrate, and play. We are an inclusive, interfaith community that, from the beginning, has welcomed singles and families (both traditional and non-traditional). Your membership in Congregation Shir Shalom supports more than your own participation; it supports and enriches a Jewish presence in the Valley.
We are blessed to have the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Steve Finley whose wisdom, humor, and musical talent enhance Shir Shalom, our community, and our song of peace.
Like a myriad of Jewish communities everywhere, Congregation Shir Shalom is busily weaving its own notes into the multi-layered melody that is our Judaism. We are not affiliated with any movement, and proudly call ourselves--Just Jewish! Our unique Shir Shalom song becomes stronger and more beautiful with each passing Shabbat.
