Letter From the Rabbi
I wasn’t the obvious choice for Adat Shalom. I wasn’t ordained Reconstructionist — I was trained as a Conservative rabbi — and I carry a simple, deep faith in God, which isn’t always what people expect here. And if you glance at my résumé, you might think I’ve wandered from place to place: Moishe House, Sixth & I, IKAR, Romemu… It might look like a connect-the-dots.
But to me, it’s been a straight line — from one vibrant, sincere, cutting-edge community to another. Every stop has been about Jewish life that is alive, meaningful, and full of heart. That’s why I’m here.
Because if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s boring Judaism. And this is not a boring place.
Adat Shalom is a community of principle. People here truly live their Jewish values — justice, learning, kindness. Faith isn’t taken for granted; it’s wrestled with, explored, and sometimes laughed about over an oneg (that’s our communal Shabbat lunch).
And it’s a community of joy. Music lifts the roof, kids fill the hallways, and Shabbat services feel like family gatherings more than formalities. The joy is real, and contagious. You don’t just attend Adat Shalom — you catch it.
So yes, maybe I’m the unexpected choice. But Adat Shalom has always been an unexpected kind of synagogue. That’s what makes this match feel so right.
I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you — with all the joy, purpose, and a little bit of unpredictability that makes Jewish life worth living.
With warmth,
Rabbi Scott Perlo
Become a Member
Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the Adat Shalom community. We are a vibrant, inclusive Reconstructionist congregation where tradition and innovation come together to support spiritual growth and meaningful Jewish living.
There’s truly something for everyone here. Our community is made up of individuals and families from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and experiences. Whether you’re just beginning your Jewish journey, deeply rooted in tradition, or somewhere in between, you’ll find a warm welcome and a place under our tent.
We invite you to join us for Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, engaging programs, and community gatherings. What makes Adat Shalom special is the spirit our members bring—their curiosity, commitment, and care. We’d be honored to share this journey with you.
Membership includes access to members-only programs; free or reduced admission to most synagogue events; tickets to High Holiday services; pastoral care; and rabbinic support for lifecycle moments such as baby namings, weddings, funerals, and more. We also help track and announce yahrzeits for primary relatives and provide access to our community listserv. Members are encouraged to take part in our participatory culture and are eligible to vote and serve on the Board.
Click here to fill out the form below if you are interested in becoming a member:
Membership Responsibility
Click here to see our dues structure
-
$185
-
$370
-
$1,860
-
$3,550
-
$1,030
-
$2,060
Adat Shalom is committed to ensuring that finances are never a barrier to membership. Please contact our office to confidentially discuss your personal situation at Info@AdatShalom.net
Being a member of Adat Shalom is more than just paying dues and attending services. There are a few other ways we encourage our members to be involved in our community.
Security Assessment
Adat Shalom had our building security reviewed in 2024. We take many security measures to keep our community safe (Including NOT telling you what the security measures are!). We ask for an additional $90-$180/year from each household to help offset these costs.
Hospitality Support
Hospitality at Adat Shalom is a central facet of Adat Shalom communal life, and one that relies on the engagement of all of our members to function smoothly. Each adult member can support hospitality in one of two ways: 1) by providing food and serving in the kitchen/greeting on First Fridays, Shabbat Mornings, and other events where food is being served; or, 2) by contributing an amount of money to enable the synagogue to purchase additional resources for hospitality, $180/person for 2025-26. If elected to provide food and serve/greet, each adult member is expected to participate two times over the course of a year on dates of their choosing.