About Keddem Congregation

Keddem* Congregation was founded in Palo Alto in March, 1993. We are a spirited community, spiritual and intellectual, enjoying both prayer and study. It's critical at Keddem that we not have to check our intellect at the door when praying, nor have to check our spirituality at the door when studying.

Click here for a brochure about Keddem Congregation.

Keddem's Mission
adopted by the Board of Directors, 8/11/1999, emended 8/6/2000

Keddem Congregation is a community-led, Reconstructionist Jewish congregation, passionately committed to infusing tradition with new meaning. Worship, study, community and governance at Keddem are based on the following principles.

Keddem is:

• Inclusive: Everyone who supports our goals is welcome at Keddem, regardless of background, family, lifestyle, or Jewish education. The congregation is committed to democratic process in making major decisions.
  
  
• Egalitarian: Reflecting the fact that God transcends gender, our liturgy and leadership roles are gender neutral.
  
  
• Participatory: Involvement builds a sense of community. All Keddem members are encouraged to participate in activities ranging from services and tikkun olam (social action) to governance and social programs.
  
  
• Questioning: Keddem promotes Torah based continuous learning through study of the historical evolution of Jewish community, writings, and practice. Members benefit from each other's knowledge and experiences, value diverse opinions and respect differing perspectives.
  
  
• Reconstructionist: Keddem seeks to reconstruct a contemporary form of Judaism by honoring Jewish traditions while adapting them to modern life. Keddem Congregation is affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.

We hold various events and services, typically at the Kehillah Jewish High School, 3900 Fabian Way in Palo Alto. Any person over 13 years of age may apply for membership in Keddem Congregation. For additional information, please contact Keddem's Office.

Keddem's Vision
(What will success look like when we "get there?")

• Keddem Congregation is a warm, welcoming, spiritual and intellectual Jewish community.
• Members of the Keddem community are actively involved in creating our community.
• Our mission is clear to our members and the surrounding Jewish community, of which we are a visible and active part.
• We have a home, "Beit Keddem," a place with our name on the door, a locus for our community where we can study and gather together to create sacred space.
• We are actively and regularly engaged in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.
• Members of the Congregation and the community at large provide sufficient financial resources to support our goals and objectives.
• Keddem is a vibrant contributing member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.

(*) Keddem: the root of the Hebrew Keddem, , contains within itself the concepts of the past and the future-that which came before us, that which is ever before us.

Information about Keddem's Web site