More About Congregation Sha'aray Shalom

Our Mission

Reaffirming the vision of our founders, Congregation Sha'aray Shalom is committed to the provision of SANCTUARY (Beit T'Fillah), STUDY (Beit Midrash), and ASSEMBLY (Beit Knesset), for the celebration and preservation of our Jewish heritage.

We will encourage and facilitate, in both traditional and innovative forms, opportunities for communal and personally meaningful worship that draws us spiritually closer to God, Torah, and to each other, Am Yisrael (the Jewish People).

We will develop abundant and varied opportunities for Jewish study to stimulate and establish a tradition of lifelong learning and spiritual enrichment for ourselves and our families.

We recognize our diversity as a strength. While remaining true to the tenets of Judaism, we will strive to be open, inclusive and compassionate to every congregant, and to extend ourselves with care and respect to newcomers and strangers.

We resolve to be responsive to the varied needs of our own Jewish community, to K'lal Yisrael (the world-wide Jewish community), to Eretz Yisrael (the State of Israel), as well as to our non-Jewish friends and neighbors, by involving ourselves in Tikkun Olam (the repairing of our world) through the fulfillment of Mitzvot (commandments) and Gemilut Chasadim (deeds of lovingkindness).

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History of Congregation Sha'aray Shalom
Our history goes back over 40 years to the mid-1950's, when a group of Jewish families on the South Shore formed Temple Beth Am, meeting at the Hingham Shipyard. While this temple was disbanded in the mid-60's, a core group from these original members continued to conduct religious services and provide educational programs for their families. Space for these activities was rented from Hingham's Lutheran Church.

In the spring of 1969, this group incorporated as the Jewish Community Center of the South Shore. At that time, Hingham's Old Ship Church provided space in its Meeting House and Parish House for services, classes and social functions.

In 1978, the congregation renamed itself Sha'aray Shalom (Gates of Peace). In 1980, the temple constructed its current structure at 1112 Main Street in Hingham.

Our congregation has been steadily growing ever since. In 1994, we completed an addition to better address the expanding needs of our growing congregation which is currently at approximately 230 families.

Rabbi Shira Joseph has recently joined Congregation Sha'aray Shalom in July of 2003. Rabbi Joseph follows Rabbi Stephen Karol who was the temple's leader since 1979. Rabbi Karol has joined a temple in Stony Brook, New York.

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