P'nai Or is a unique congregation which grew in response to our search for innovative approaches to Jewish prayer, learning and celebration.  Philadelphia P'nai Or was founded in the early 80's by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi along with students and colleagues who envisioned a new form of intentional Jewish community.  Here Jewish teachers and learners would co-create contemporary forms of Jewish statement in a dynamic relationship to Torah, Hasidic prayer and teaching, the Jewish mystical tradition, meditation and current approaches in psychology and personal growth.

P'nai Or Membership

  • If you are Jewish but don't know what that means, you are welcome.
  • If you have become disconnected from your Jewish roots, no matter how far back they may go, you are welcome.
  • Whether or not you believe in God, or if you struggle with your beliefs, or even if you're not sure what to believe, you are welcome.
  • If you are not Jewish but something in you loves something about Judaism, you are welcome.
  • If you have traversed other spiritual paths and are still seeking spiritual nourishment and community, you are welcome.
  • If you have been thinking about starting to celebrate Shabbat and Holidays but don't know where to begin, you are welcome.
  • If you have recently experienced a special milestone in your life, and long for a kindred community to celebrate with, you are welcome.
  • If you have recently experienced a loss in your life, and would be comforted by having the support of a caring and compassionate community along with its Jewish spiritual resources, you are welcome.

P'nai Or is an egalitarian, liberal Jewish community made up of people joyfully choosing a Jewish spiritual and ethical path.

We welcome members and guests with or without synagogue affiliation, religious training, or experience in Judaism, and all who are seeking a deep, personally meaningful approach to Judaism.

Our community enriches Jewish life and understanding in creative, inclusive, and accessible ways, imaginatively combining tradition with innovation and renewal.

We respect, encourage and honor diversity of Jewish expression in our membership and our activities.

Welcome!

Become a member: P'nai Or Philadelphia is supported entirely by members' annual dues and volunteer efforts. We ask every person who values our community to support us to the maximum extent possible. Members and friends of P'nai Or Philadelphia are also invited to join an array of councils through which we plan activities and give our community direction, and our own e-mail group where we discuss matters of need and interest, circulate announcements for the community, and just keep close. To join please download and print the P'nai Or Membership Form

Annual dues (ranges):

  • Individual, $286-$786*
  • Family, $386-$1,036*
  • Student/low income, $60-$118*
  • Associate member, $100-$400
  • No one is turned away for financial reasons.

*Includes $36 per household for annual membership dues to Aleph, our parent organization ($10-18 per household for student/low income.)

Questions?

P'nai Or Philadelphia
6757 Greene Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119
Steering Council Chairperson, Elyse Joseph 610-793-0511
Mailing Address: 6445 Greene St #A-401