• Rabbi Dr. Jill Hackell
• Holiday Cantor: Jacob Goodwin

West Clarkstown Jewish Center is a small, egalitarian, Conservative-style, non-affiliated
synagogue. We are proud of the caring and closeness of our community – which is really more
like a family. We are a community that practices gemilut hasadim – acts of love and kindness –
including visiting the sick, comforting mourners, coming to the aid of those in need, and
participating in the community kosher food pantry. We have a deep commitment to the State
of Israel.

Our weekly Shabbat services include a Kabbalat Shabbat each Friday at 6 p.m. During the
pandemic, this service moved to Zoom, and we have decided to remain on Zoom to allow a
service with maximum participation all year round - including snowbirds and those who can no
longer easily physically access the synagogue.

Shabbat morning provides a time to get together in person (with a Zoom option). Services
begin at 9:30 am. The Torah services includes an open discussion of the parashah guided by
the rabbi with active participation from the congregation. In this way we work together to
understand the role of Torah in our lives. We are very participatory. We love to sing, and
harmonize together, and although we use traditional melodies, we like to change-up the tunes
for some of the prayers so we are comfortable with a variety of congregational tunes and
chants.

Our user-friendly prayerbook (Eit Ratzon) contains a modern translation, transliteration of all
the prayers, notes about the prayers as well as meditations, which we sometimes incorporate
into our otherwise traditional Conservative -style service.

Of course, we celebrate the holidays together - kiddush in our Sukkah, a Simchat Torah tour of
the Torah, a family Hanukkah celebration, Purim mishloach manot, and a Purim-shpiel – to give
just some examples.

Our active Sisterhood and Men’s Club offers members an opportunity to serve the congregation
through social and social action programs.

If you are looking for an intimate place where you can be yourself, with a community of people
who celebrate life’s joys and sorrows together, who learn together, and make a joyful noise
together, we may be the place for you.