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Q: Nashuva: what is it?
Q: What will coming to Nashuva do for me?
Q: Nashuva: who is it?
Q: How did it start?
Q: What if I¹m only half Jewish? Or one-quarter? What if my spouse isn¹t Jewish? What if I¹m not Jewish at all?
Q: Can I bring my kids?
Q: Is Nashuva just a service?
Q: So is Nashuva a synagogue, or what?
Q: If I go, will I be asked for money? For membership?  Are their any dues?
Q: I went to synagogue as a kid and it was boring. Is Nashuva boring?
Q: Is it a singles service?
Q: What does “Nashuva” mean?
Q: Are you affiliated with any movement or denomination?
Q: Why do you meet in a church?
Q: Do you do anything together with the church?
Q: Okay, I¹ll come. But will I feel awkward if I show up alone? Will I know what to do? Will everyone turn and stare at me?
Q: Nashuva¹s 13 Principles: What Are We About?
Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services: What They Are Like?
Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services: How Long Do They Last?
Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services: What is Proper Attire?
Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services: Where Do We Park
Q: Are There Televised Services?
Q: Are the Prayer Books for sale?
 
 
 
 
Q: Nashuva: what is it?

Nashuva is a new soulful Jewish community open to all.
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Q: What will coming to Nashuva do for me?

First, you¹ll enjoy it. Nashuva is our haven from the hectic and sometimes spiritually depleting lives we lead. Nashuva energizes us, it revives our souls, it reminds us that we are here on this earth to manifest God in our words and in our actions.
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Q: Nashuva: who is it?

We are Jews committed to creating a soulful community of prayer AND action. We are diverse, and that diversity reflects a spirit of tolerance and openness. We are young and old. Some of us have extensive Jewish backgrounds, some of us have virtually no Jewish involvements. Some of us are single, some of us are in committed relationships.
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Q: How did it start?

Rabbi Naomi Levy founded Nashuva in June 2004. Rabbi Levy was ordained by the Jewish Theological seminary in New York City. She served as a rabbi at Mishkon Tephilo in Venice, CA for seven years, before leaving to write two best-selling books, To Begin Again (Knopf) and Talking to God (Knopf). Naomi speaks on Jewish spiritual issues to audiences around the country, and has appeared on television on Oprah and The Today Show. Naomi founded Nashuva to create a passionate, engaging Jewish experience for all.
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Q: What if I¹m only half Jewish? Or one-quarter? What if my spouse isn¹t Jewish? What if I¹m not Jewish at all?

Those of us who are interfaith experience Nashuva as a safe and inspiring setting where we can grow and be nourished. You will find a Judaism that is true to its roots, profound and accessible. And everyone is welcome.
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Q: Can I bring my kids?

Yes, please do! 
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Q: Is Nashuva just a service?

No. We also engage in monthly social action projects. We at Nashuva are committed to actively working to heal our world. We seek to engage people of other faiths and hope to move beyond token interfaith programs to true interfaith partnership.
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Q: So is Nashuva a synagogue, or what?

It¹s a community. We don¹t have a building, or a building fund. We don¹t have dues or membership. We meet for community service and for prayer. New people are always joining in, and always welcome.
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Q: If I go, will I be asked for money? For membership? Are there any dues?

Nashuva is supported entirely by contributions, but people can give (or not) of their own free will.  Please understand that Nashuva is a very different kind of community: there are no dues, no membership, no tickets.   Everyone is welcome and we offer our monthly Shabbat services to the entire community, so everyone can enjoy the wisdom and beauty of Judaism.   But, to do so, we rely on -- we need -- your support and encourage donations.
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Q: I went to synagogue as a kid and it was boring. Is Nashuva boring?

No. The service is lively, stimulating and features great music. Afterwards there are delicious refreshments and you can mingle with other interesting people.
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Q: Is it a singles service?

Many singles attend, but people of all ages and relationships are welcome.
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Q: What does “Nashuva” mean?

The Hebrew word “Nashuva” means “We Will Return.” Nashuva is a community dedicated to the art of returning--to life, to self, to dreams, to community, to hope, and to God.
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Q: Are you affiliated with any movement or denomination?

No. We believe the path to returning is rooted in three fundamental
disciplines:
a. Soulful prayer
b. Meaningful learning
c. Social action rooted in the belief that God put us here to heal this world.
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Q: Why do you meet in a church?

Rabbi Levy was looking for a venue in which to hold Nashuva and was driving by the church one day. Naomi always felt the church had a good feel about it, and decided then and there to cold call. When Naomi asked, “May I speak to the Reverend?” and a woman answered, “This is she,” Naomi knew she had found her Christian soulmate Reverend Kirsten Linford-Steinfeld.

Reverend Kirsten Linford-Steinfeld and her congregation have been generous and welcoming, and we value their friendship and support beyond words.

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Q: Do you do anything together with the church?

Nashuva social action is a true interfaith partnership with the church that takes place on the third Sunday of every month. People from both our congregations pitch in to help improve some part of our city.
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Q: Okay, I¹ll come. But will I feel awkward if I show up alone? Will I know what to do? Will everyone turn and stare at me?

No. Many, many people who come to Nashuva are coming for the first time. The service is easy to follow, the music is great, and Naomi makes sure everyone greets their neighbor.
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Q: Nashuva¹s 13 Principles: What Are We About?

1. We are diverse and intergenerational.

2. We are welcoming and accepting.

3. We believe in questioning and in critical thinking.

4. We believe in deep, soulful prayer and in a God who is near and hears prayer.

5. We believe in a Judaism that is meaningful, vital and joyous.

6. We believe that true prayer leads to action.

7. We are passionately committed to social justice and social action.

8. We believe that each human being has a role to play in actively healing our world.

9. We are committed to thoughtful Jewish learning.

10. We believe in taking care of one another and in the power of community.

11. We believe in transformation, in the God-given power to remake our lives and our world.

12. We choose dialogue over dogma, we choose joy over fear.

13 We believe that opportunities for true interfaith partnership can heal the intolerance and fear that threatens to destroy our world.

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Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services: What They Are Like?

Walk into Nashuva on the first Friday of the month and you will find a room full of people of all ages and backgrounds dressed in white singing and praying with all their souls. The prayers are led by the Nashuva Band--an amazingly soulful multi-racial and interfaith band that truly knows how to “pray music.” Open our prayer book and you will find new translations of ancient prayers that speak to your soul and connect you to God. Pray with us and you will soon feel enveloped by a sense of oneness and community. Meditate with us and you will face the stillness you may have been hiding from and emerge transformed. Listen to Rabbi Naomi Levy¹s teachings and you will receive wisdom and inspiration to illuminate your life.

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Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services:  How Long Do They Last?

Approximately 1 1/2 hours.  Services start promptly at 6:45 pm and last until roughly 8:15pm.  And afterwards, we invite you to join us for food and drink at our Oneg, immediately following the service.

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Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services:  What is Proper Attire?

Attire is very casual but we encourage everyone to wear white in honor of the simple holiness of Shabbat.

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Q: Nashuva Shabbat Services:  Where Do We Park?

Unfortunately, Nashuva does not have its own parking lot and we are NOT permitted to use the Church's parking lot.  There is metered street parking along San Vicente Boulevard and additional street parking north of San Vicente and on Bundy.  We do encourage people to try to arrive early to allow time to find parking (which can be difficult at times) and for traffic.  There are also "pay to park" lots located on San Vicente.

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Q: Are There Televised Services?

Currently, Friday night services are not regularly broadcasted.  As budget allows, we hope to be able to provide this service in the future.  In the meantime, our Kol Nidre services are broadcasted on-line.  To view our most recent Kol Nidre service, please click here.
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Q: Are The Prayer Books for Sale?

Currently, the prayer books are not for sale but we have received many requests and hope to have them available in the future.

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