Author Archive
Faithful Shepherd – Revisited
Faithful Shepherd or Shepherd of Faith? There is something truly beautiful about language. The words that make up a language can have multiple meanings both independently and as parts of a sentence, and when translating words there can be various understandings and interpretations. Moshe, the first leader of the Jewish people, was a called a “Raya […]
read moreOn Being Brothers – Parshat Vayechi
At the end of his life, Jacob called together his family for one last meeting. He used the opportunity to personally bless each of his 12 children with their own unique blessing. Each child received a blessing that matched his personality. Many of the symbols that the tribes used as their “branding” came from the […]
read moreAre you a Brother? – Parshat Vayigash
Family feuds are common. People have been disagreeing for years about issues pertaining to anything and everything. We hear stories and wonder how such silly disputes turn into such nasty fights. Siblings end up not talking to each other for years and sometimes they can’t even remember the reasons for their squabble. How are we […]
read moreShabbat Parshat Mikeitz
Join us for Shabbat morning minyan at 9:30am with Kiddush following services. Have you ever wondered why adults seem to get comfortable with the darkness while children remain afraid? Is it maturity that causes this change or is it something else altogether? Perhaps the message of Chanukah can shed light on this question. A man […]
read moreSaturday Night Chanukah Live!!
Live from the Orchard Street Shul…. it’s Saturday Night Chanukkah! Come and join us on December 20th for a special night of live acoustic music, food and fun. Admission is free and all are welcome! Havdallah and Menorah Lighting (with sufganiyot!) starts at 7:00. Check out acoustic music upstairs in our gorgeous sanctuary, and falafel, knishes […]
read moreWith All The Trimmings
We’ve all had Thanksgiving parties with family and friends, and we’ve all enjoyed the day off. However we’ve all been at someone’s house when they have had all the trimmings but the turkey was dry. Basically, the key component is overcooked and overlooked. Well that is sort of what happens to the whole thanksgiving idea. […]
read moreIt’s Not For Sale
When the housing market is slow, they tell you it’s not a time to sell. There are some things that never are supposed to be sold, period. Perhaps the most consequential sale in the history of business occurs during this week’s Torah portion. You would think that there would have been board meetings along with […]
read moreFrom Blessing to Reality
Many people wake up in the morning knowing there will be a difficult task ahead of them during the coming day. For some the challenges come daily and for others it’s more sporadic. We can struggle with making a living, we can struggle with interpersonal relationships and we can even struggle with ourselves. In this […]
read moreParshat Lech Lecha
Finding Yourself Many books have been written to help people find themselves. There are various methods suggested and different exercises offered all with the goal of assisting people with understanding who they are and they are here to accomplish. If you are not the reading type you can try traveling to a distant land in […]
read moreParshat Noach
Come Build an Ark Noach was the man of the hour. G-d was going to bring a flood to destroy the world due to humanities perverse and unjust actions, and He asked Noach and his family to build an ark that would house the family along with at least two of each type of animal. […]
read moreAbout Our Shul
Located in a New Haven Landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and honored by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Orchard Street Shul was reborn in 2010 as a traditional yet “post label” synagogue after many years of disuse. We continue to build a dynamic community made up of Jewish people of all ages, from all backgrounds and levels of affiliation.
We seek to appeal to the Jewish self in us all, so we can join in a community in which every member of our family finds comfort, meaning, and spiritual connection. We celebrate our Jewishness, and yours. We invite you to join and experience our spiritual haven where you will be welcomed as family, find depth, meaning, and a new appreciation for Jewish life.
Orchard Street Shul
Our beautiful Eastern European Ashkenazi style synagogue was built in 1924 with a unique blend of Federal style and Eastern European architecture seen in our façade. The Shul stands proudly as a symbol of a once vibrant Jewish neighborhood, adjacent to Yale University and both campuses of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Today, the Shul is an anchor of New Haven’s emerging medical and biotech corridor. Jews of all backgrounds make our Shul happen, bringing Jewish life back to an historic neighborhood, in the only synagogue remaining of the dozen that once served our area. Now the only Shul servicing the downtown New Haven community, the sounds of Jewish life are once again regularly heard in this restored gem. You are invited to join your prayers with ours.
Read more About Our Shul, Shul History and Shul Restorations, and check out our Photo Gallery.
Connect With Us
We hold services every Shabbos at 9:30 AM, a Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat minyan on the First Friday of the secular month (see posted time depending on season).
We welcome your membership, and contributions, but most importantly we welcome you. There are no tickets to attend our services and, please, you should always feel welcome to be part of our family.