We are led by Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, who became our spiritual leader in 2010. A selection of his sermons S(derashot) can be found here.

New Light Congregation defines its communal practice as religious Conservative following traditional practices and historic changes brought by the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism such as mixed seating, egalitarianism in worship, triennial Torah reading, and modification of Shabbat and Holiday customs. We continue the traditions of our Romanian founders with services conducted mostly in Hebrew and the use of traditional nusach in worship.

• We do acknowledge that many in our congregation read and understand Hebrew differently. For this reason, we seek an infusion of English readings and explanations and interpretations of prayers within worship. We also seek to experiment with congregational melodies to increase participation. We seek to cultivate leadership in our services in training baalei tefillah, gabbaim, Torah readers, and those who can give derashot.
• We pride ourselves in that New Light is a place to recapture tradition. We like our rabbi’s derashot to be spiritually uplifting, relevant and as well as to include teachings about Judaism. Longer sermons (derashot) are given on Shabbat and Holidays while shorter d’vrai torah are given at Kabbalat Shabbat services.
• We are intimate (haimish) community who support one another through gathering minyanim at all service times. We are especially sensitive to those who come to say “kaddish” at Sunday schacharit services and minyanim scheduled at the time of shiva and yarzheit. In lieu of declining interest in joining for minyanim, we expect members of the board to attend all services as part of a monthly rotation to be coordinated by the religious committee chair.
• We will also seek to join with other neighborhood Conservative synagogues to strengthen attendance at services that are short on numbers such as Tisha B’av, Second Day of Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Seventh Day of Pesach. In coordination with Tree of Life or Beth Shalom, we will host services at New Light or be guests at their synagogues.
• Finally, we seek to show hospitality to all visitors and guests, whether they are strangers or new to our synagogue. Members will serve as greeters helping persons access prayer books, yarmulkes, tallisim, seats, and being attentive to their honors within the service. Every effort will be made to make new people comfortable with our synagogue service including inviting them for refreshments at oneg or kiddushes. To the extent that we have the resources, we seek to have weekly onegs on Fridays and monthly Kiddush lunches to increase connections within the community.