What is OneShul?

What is OneShul’s mission?

OneShul’s mission is to create a community of engaged, believing, supporting, practicing Jews that are excited about being Jews in the 21st century. We aim to create a Judaism without borders, an approachable and welcoming community that accepts and even encourages honest questions and questioning.

OneShul is the world’s first online, community run synagogue. Our community has live, online streaming prayer services, adult and youth education, bnai mitzvah classes, tzedakah and tikkun olam programs, partnered Torah study and everything else that a brick-and-mortar synagogue has…and more!

When was OneShul founded?

The seed for OneShul was planted by PunkTorah, a Jewish non-profit dedicated to independent Jewish spirituality, culture and learning. The organization began having afternoon prayer services streaming live online, and quickly seeing the need for an online synagogue, volunteers banned together to start the OneShul community.

Where is OneShul located? Do you have a building?

OneShul is everywhere! We stream our classes and prayer services from our members’ homes, offices, classrooms, or wherever they need to be. Our community interacts through our prayer service chatroom and on Facebook. Many of our members around the country host other members in each others homes.

Our administrative offices are located in Atlanta, GA.

Why an online community? Aren’t you missing something?

Our community is not missing anything. In fact, we would miss each other if we were forced to be in one city, in one building, without the ability to interact and share our lives with each other. We don’t consider OneShul to be synagogue “instead of” somewhere else. This is our community and we love having you as a part of it.

 

Is OneShul affiliated with a Jewish movement or organization?

OneShul is an independent, post-denominational community. We’re open to Jews (and non-Jews) of all backgrounds and associations. We are egalitarian, inclusive, diverse and excited about the future of the Jewish tradition. All of our services are lay led so there is no formal rabbi.

 

 

OneShul seems a lot like (Modern Orthodoxy, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist)…

The great thing about being independent and having a diverse community is that we get to experience the best parts of all the Jewish movements, while remaining true to our own individual beliefs. Most people involved in OneShul do not fit well into the categories that movements have created. That’s why we’re doing something new.

Through Orthodoxy, we learn the values of tradition, history, and scholarship

Through the Conservative Movement, we share the joy of conserving the past while moving forward

Through Reform, we gain the strength to challenge the institutions that no longer speak to us

Through the Reconstructionist Movement, we embrace our community as an evolving religious civilization

Through Humanistic Judaism, we value each other as a unique people

Who is your rabbi?

As a peer led community, we are interested in working together to create the Judaism of the future. While many of us take on leadership positions teaching, providing spiritual support and leading prayer services, we believe in a spiritual democracy where we as a community make decisions and teach each other. Please note that since we are a lay led organization, we do not do weddings, conversions to Judaism or other “in person” Jewish rituals.

How can I become a part of the community?

Welcome! You already are. Register to create your unique username so we can get to know you. Join our Facebook group. Come to services or a class. Better yet, offer to lead a service/class or volunteer. We’re glad you’re here.

What if I’m not very tech-savvy? Can I still participate?

Don’t worry, everything on our site is easy to use (and fun!) Having trouble using any part of the site? Just send us an email. We would be glad to assist you. And don’t worry–we’re not tech savvy either.

Do I have to pay dues to belong to OneShul?

Every community member contributes to make OneShul happen, whether it’s helping on the website, teaching a class…we even have a friend who made baskets for us to sell as a fundraiser! Spend some time with us. And if you like this community, we have a great, non-traditional Tzedakah Program that helps you give back to OneShul.