Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism

Shabbat Services – ADL to Speak

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Please join us this Friday night as we welcome Martin Cominsky to the pulpit for a special presentation in honor of the MLK holiday weekend. 

Martin Cominsky is the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League.  He is an inspiring speaker and a dear friend to HCRJ.  In the spirit of the MLK weekend, Martin Cominsky will address ways we can continue to partner in our ongoing efforts in building a communities of respect.

All are welcome to join us at 7:15 Friday nights for Shabbat Services. You do not need to be a member to join us in prayer as we welcome the Sabbath bride. Immediately following services, we gather together at the oneg (joy) for cookies and conversation.

HCRJ retains its Classical Reform philosophy through the use of a modernized edition of the Union Prayer Book. It contains extensive transliteration of most of the Hebrew prayers, thereby enabling those who do not read Hebrew to participate in the liturgy. We encourage you to discover within its pages a fresh approach and a return to the ideals of Reform Judaism.

Yom Kippur

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Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance. Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with God, our fellow human beings, and ourselves. We are commanded to turn to those whom we have wronged first, acknowledging our sins and the pain we might have caused.  At the same time, we must be willing to forgive and to let go of certain offenses and the feelings of resentment they provoked in us.

High Holy Day Packets have been sent out in the mail.  If you are not a member and are interested in purchasing High Holy Day tickets, please contact our office at 713-782-4162.

No tickets are needed for our Youth Services.

View our High Holy Day Schedule.

Kol Nidre

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Yom Kippur starts tonight at sundown.

Kol Nidre, the name derived from the first major piece of the Yom Kippur prayers, dramatically chanted at the evening service.  All the Torahs are taken out, the entire congregation stands, and the cantor chants this formula three times.  While most people think that Kol Nidre is a prayer, it is actually a legal formula, as described in this article, reprinted with permission from TheJewish Religion: A Companion, published by Oxford University Press.

High Holy Day Packets have been sent out in the mail.  If you are not a member and are interested in purchasing High Holy Day tickets, please contact our office at 713-782-4162.

View our High Holy Day Schedule.

Rosh Hashanah

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Rosh Hashanah

Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance.

High Holy Day Packets have been sent out in the mail.  If you are not a member and are interested in purchasing High Holy Day tickets, please contact our office at 713-782-4162.

No tickets are needed for our Youth Services.

View our High Holy Day Schedule.

Erev Rosh Hashanah

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Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown tonight.

Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance.

High Holy Day Packets have been sent out in the mail.  If you are not a member and are interested in purchasing High Holy Day tickets, please contact our office at 713-782-4162.

View our High Holy Day Schedule.