Mission
Congregation Shaarey Zedek is a caring and involved community where our members are nurtured in the heritage of Judaism. We provide for the spiritual needs of Jewish families and individuals by conducting services in both the Conservative and Reform traditions. We strive to provide a center in the Greater Lansing area where we can learn, pray, celebrate Simchas and comfort each other in times of need. Congregation Shaarey Zedek offers a rich and varied program of education, cultural and social events while reaching out to the Greater Lansing community on a perpetual basis to strengthen interfaith ties.
History
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, as we know it today, was formed in 1918. In the 1930’s a merger between the traditional Shaarey Zedek and a fledgling reform congregation called Temple Beth El took place. What resulted from the merger was a rather unique blend of the traditional and the liberal forms of Jewish worship under one roof.
We affiliate with the Union for Reform Judaism; however we conduct services with both Siddur Hadash (Traditional) and the Mishkan T’filah (Reform). Our present facility, completed in 1969 sits on a ten acre parcel of land in East Lansing.
Lifecycle
Congregation Shaarey Zedek offers a full range of lifecycle ceremonies, including b’rit milah (covenant of circumcision) for baby boys, simchat bat (joy of the daughter) naming ceremonies for girls, Consecration services welcoming our newest religious school students, Bar / Bat Mitzvah (son / daughter of the commandments) celebrations for our thirteen-year-old religious school students, Confirmation for our tenth-graders, wedding ceremonies, funerals, and conversion ceremonies. For further information, please contact Rabbi Bigman at rabbibigman@shaareyzedek.com or at (517) 351-3570.
Interfaith Activities
Our Sisterhood is very active in the planning of an annual Interfaith Day, which is held on the fourth Tuesday of February each year. Guest speakers from various religions speak about each year’s theme; Shaarey Zedek, along with other congregations in our area, take turns hosting this annual event.
Our congregation welcomes visitors from other faiths. Church, university, and day school groups often visit our congregation, attend worship services, etc. To arrange for a visit, please contact Rabbi Bigman at rabbibigman@shaareyzedek.com or at (517) 351-3570.
Each year an interfaith Thanksgiving celebration is hosted by one of the congregations in the East Lansing area. Our congregation periodically hosts this annual event and our clergy participate in the worship service each year.
Contact Information
1924 Coolidge Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
email: executive@shaareyzedek.com
phone: 517-351-3570
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