Shedding New Light on Jewish Traditions

Synagogues Take Advantage of the Summer by Making Changes

As seen here, in the August 30, 2019 issue of The Exponent:

Or Hadash, A Reconstructionist Congregation

On Aug. 5, the Fort Washington congregation welcomed Rabbi Alanna Sklover as the new senior rabbi. Previously, Sklover worked as director of lifelong learning at the Germantown Jewish Centre. Sklover will replace Joshua Waxman, president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, who served Or Hadash for 15 years.

“I’m excited to be joining the really wonderful community at Or Hadash,” Sklover said. “I’ve been struck by how warm and welcoming this community is and how every member, whether they’ve been a part of Or Hadash for 35, 36 years since its founding or just a couple of years, seems to reflect that what keeps them there is a sense of feeling at home, and that’s something my family and I have experienced since we joined the community.”

Sklover attended the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where she received her rabbinic ordination with a specialization in the congregational rabbinate. Her educational background includes a bachelor of arts in theater and religion from Goucher College, as well as study at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Conservative Yeshiva.

The synagogue also introduced new assisted listening devices to make services more accessible.