Mission and History
History: Netivot Shalom began in 1989 and grew out of our founding members' collective commitment to create an egalitarian spiritual home for Conservative Jews in Berkeley, California. We began with meetings in people's homes, around kitchen and dining room tables and monthly Shabbat services. We now have a beautiful sanctuary on University Avenue, where we offer weekly Shabbat, ongoing holiday, and other regularly-scheduled services. Netivot Shalom also provides a host of educational, spiritual and community programs.
Today: Congregation Netivot Shalom is an egalitarian, participatory Sacred Community that encourages and engages in Tefilah (Prayer), Torah (Learning), Tzedeka (Social Justice), and Kehillah (Community) within our congregation and the broader community.
Mission: Our mission is to inspire Jewish practices among individuals and families who are considering Judaism, are intermarried, or Jewish. We share a commitment to Conservative Judaism and furthering individual and communal spiritual growth, while recognizing a range of personal philosophies, practices and needs.