Four years ago, a small group of fellow synagogue members, friends, and relatives identified a common desire to found a Conservative synagogue in the Northeast Valley that would strengthen their Jewish identity, while attracting multi-generational families and young adults with innovative programs encouraging broad participation. 

This core group of 20 decided that the best solution was a synagogue whose foundations included:

Multi-generational congregants

Participatory, inclusive services;

Innovative programs celebrating Jewish customs, rituals, heritage, and beliefs;

A Northeast Scottsdale location

Initially, monthly services were held in classrooms borrowed from a generous local Lutheran church, using materials developed by younger members with Jewish organization experience. Informal surveys of the Jewish population indicated that a permanent location in Scottsdale, a pleasing rabbi, and modest cost would attract members. Committees were formed to develop a formal plan for this new Conservative congregation that would meet the needs of the growing Jewish population in the Northeast Valley. By 2002, membership grew to 40 families.  Reflecting its new approach and enthusiasm for Jewish life in Phoenix, the congregation selected Or Chadash – New Light – as its name. 

Seminal events have marked the progress of this focused and determined group:

• Solidified the financial status of the fledgling organization with successful fundraising and extended participation to a wider audience;

• Increased membership and awareness of the Congregation throughout the Valley through well-planned and attended High Holiday services, conducted by knowledgeable guest clergy;

• Acquired a permanent location in a convenient area of Northeast Scottsdale;

• Elected a board of directors and officers on January 12, 2004;

• Coordinated a Shabbaton  with a sister congregation from El Paso, Texas;

• Established an ongoing Scholar-In-Residence program to bring renowned speakers to our community;

• Hired Rabbi Robin Damsky, our first rabbi, who will lead us as we continue to grow from our present membership of 105 families.

Congregation Or Chadash is grateful to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for its support and encouragement and for the generosity of sister Conservative synagogues for providing prayer books and a Torah. We are even more grateful to our membership for its commitment to multigenerational participation.  In real terms this means that our Torah is housed in a fine oak cabinet, and the rabbi stands behind an oak lectern made by the loving hands of an 86-year old member of our congregation. Our Torah is clothed in a lovely cover, hand-sewn, fitted, and decorated by three generations of another family who are members of Congregation Or Chadash.  And as we grow, we feel that our fellow congregants are our friends; our friends are our family.

A VISION FOR CONGREGATION OR CHADASH 

We will create a Conservative Jewish community in the Northeast Valley in which every individual is encouraged to participate, contribute to our shared objectives, and thrive in an environment of warmth and fellowship. 

We are committed to sustaining the faith of our ancestors by welcoming all generations to our community, focusing on embracing the unaffiliated and young families, and translating the lessons of the synagogue into values that strengthen the Jewish home and family. 

We endeavor to delight our congregants with creative and innovative services and activities while cherishing our sacred traditions. 

We strive to inspire our members and the Phoenix Jewish community through meaningful social action, educational programming, and spiritual observances that become an example to the community in which we live. 

We embrace the concept of tikkun olam and are dedicated to supporting worthy local causes and The State of Israel in tangible ways.