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| About The JCHC |
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The JCHC was created from the need to bring a congregation to the
Jewish population of the Hill Country.
The purpose of the Jewish Community of the Hill Country is to help provide an enriching Jewish community experience for the membership by offering and supporting the various religious and secular activities that are in harmony with the theology, philosophy, principles, and traditions of Judaism. We, as a community offer:
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Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Celebration — December 2021 |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
| How long has the JCHC been in Kerrville? |
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The very first Oneg Shabbat was held in September 1982. It was held at the
chapel at the VA Hospital; it was a magical night, with about 20 in attendance.
From there we grew to about 50 members by the early 90’s.
The JCHC was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation on December 17, 1985. Click the "History" tab on this site for more information. |
| How do you define yourselves — Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist? |
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We are not affiliated with nor do we consider our congregation to be part of any
specific sect, stream, or movement of Judaism. We encourage each of our members
to embrace Judaism and interpret Scripture in their own way, free from denominational
strictures. Belief is a personal matter. We have believers, atheists, and everyone
in between. We also have non-Jews as members. We welcome anyone who wishes to be part
of a Jewish community.
Not having a central doctrine works well for us because most religious contention centers on variance from doctrine. Acceptance of and respect toward each other’s beliefs is our primary tenet. |
| What are your services like? |
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We do not have a rabbi, and we like it that way. As a small congregation, facilitating
an authentic Jewish experience that meets the needs of our members, creates a sense of
community, and allows for full participation in worship services is our highest priority.
Two members of our congregation donate their time to structure and conduct services.
We hold services on the second and fourth Friday of each month as well as for Jewish holidays. We use the Reform Movement’s "Mishkan T’Filah" (2007 edition) for our Shabbat and other services. We chose the siddur because of its beautiful language and uplifting, joyous tone. Our services are egalitarian and structured according to our members’ wishes. Each person present contributes to the service by lighting candles, reading prayers, chanting blessings, or giving the D’var Torah (sermon). We also invite visitors to participate should they wish to do so. Some portions of the liturgy remain the same from service to service while other parts change. Hebrew prayers and their associated melodies tend to remain the same from service to service. The reason is simple. Hebrew can be a challenging language, so we want to be welcoming to both those who can read it and those who cannot. If the Hebrew prayers and melodies constantly change, the service may cause confusion or discomfort rather than serve as a source of joy and inspiration. We learn best by repetition, so the more we repeat something, the greater our comfort level with it becomes. The English readings and prayers may change more often from service to service. This allows us to emphasize different themes and create variety in a more comfortable way. We believe we have achieved a nice balance between Hebrew and English. |
| What is it like to be a member of JCHC? |
| If asked to describe the JCHC in a single word, we would choose "Family."
We sincerely love, respect, and encourage each other personally and spiritually. That includes how
we view Judaism and interpret Scripture. We support one another’s right to hold diverse, differing
opinions. Like Jews everywhere, we debate with each other, but that does not include attempts to
convert others to our way of thinking or belittle them. Truth be told, we value our differences,
and we revel in them. We maintain a sense of closeness and warmth among our members and strive to
make everyone feel included.
The congregation runs on a minimal budget since we do not pay a rabbi, cantor, administrative staff, or religious school director. Our activities consist of holding worship services and gathering afterwards for a short, simple Oneg Shabbat, attending special events such as a menorah lighting ceremony in downtown Kerrville, socializing through meaningful adventures such as trips to museums and restaurants or community service events and potluck dinners on special occasions. |
| What are your Torah study sessions like? |
| If you expect a group of aged Jews pouring over scrolls and books, mumbling incoherently, you’ll be disappointed. We all come to the table with our own way of approaching and interpreting Scripture, and we aren’t shy about sharing them. Suffice it to say we laugh a lot! We hold Torah study sessions on the first and third Saturdays of each month. |
| You have a repaired Torah scroll that was saved from the Nazis. Why do you choose to use this scroll for services? |
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Our Torah was loved and respected by the members of the unknown synagogue from which it came. It was
written to be used, to be read from during services. Although not technically kosher, the scroll is
beloved to our congregation because of its history and great meaning. Its blemishes represent its history
and the suffering of our people, making it even more cherished in our eyes.
Our Torah is as vibrant and alive to us as the day the sofer’s quill was lifted from the parchment for the last time. It links us in an unbroken line to all who came before us and all who will come after. It is the common thread that binds the members of the JCHC together. |
| What are your feelings towards other religions and "mixed" marriages? |
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We think those of other religions — or none — with the same respect as we accord other Jews.
We do not view any religion as being greater or lesser than the others. We fully realize
that some members of other religions have hated us, reviled us, tried to exterminate us
over the millennia, even to the present day. Does that mean that we should automatically
have ill will towards all of them for the actions of a few? If we were all cut from the
same cloth, so to speak, how can we think less of them than of ourselves? As a people,
we have existed for over 5,000 years, not because of hate but because of love.
We welcome all who are interested in Jewish life. Non-Jewish partners are as much a part of our congregation as the Jews they have chosen to love. The Torah instructs us 36 times to welcome and care for non-Jewish people, a mitzvah repeated more often than any other law. Discrimination has caused untold pain to untold millions. We therefore accept all. How can we not? A portion of a prayer recited during High Holy Days that pretty much says it all: "For our members: diverse in age, interest, and background; Jews by birth, Jews by choice, and those of other faiths who join with us." Yes, we pray for — and accept — them all! |
| What does the future hold for the JCHC? |
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We would like to see the Community grow but with a caveat. If you attended a service and asked
any one of us to name the people in the room, we could do so and even tell you a little about
each of them as well. Were we not able to do so because of numbers, most of us would probably
feel a bit uncomfortable. Many congregations are obsessed with growth—it gives them
"bragging rights," as we say in the South. Not us — we see the beauty of what
we have, this tiny gem called the Jewish Community of the Hill County. We hope to have some
growth while remaining a small, vibrant, participatory congregational family.
If you have more questions, we would love to answer them — please contact us! |
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Site Last Updated: Copyright © 2015–2024— |
May 31, 2024
by The Jewish Community of the Hill Country |