Our Synagogue
Congregation Har Shalom was founded in 1964 as the Seven Locks Jewish Community of Potomac, MD. The few dozen founding families first met in members’ homes and school auditoriums. They used a portable ark and a borrowed Torah, while planning a vibrant egalitarian Jewish life in this growing suburb. The following year, they voted to affiliate with the United Synagogue of America (now the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism).
In 1967, we welcomed our first spiritual leader, Rabbi Morris Gordon z"l, who served as part-time rabbi and advisor for four years. The following year, brought us Cantor Cal Chizever z'"l who began as a part-time cantor and became full-time in the early 1980’s as the congregation expanded greatly.
In 1971, with our name recently changed to Congregation Har Shalom, we dedicated our first permanent home. In 1974, we welcomed Rabbi Leonard Cahan z"l. Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass came to Har Shalom in 1996, a position he still holds. Our Rabbi, Adam J. Raskin assumed our pulpit in July, 2011.
Our building has been enlarged, refurbished and expanded several times, most recently in 2003 with the addition of the magnificent Burke Sanctuary, and this sanctuary-in-the-round has received awards for accessibility as well as for its inspirational design.
Thu, June 4 2020
12 Sivan 5780
Virtual Services
Kabbalat Shabbat
* 6:00 PM, Fridays
* Tune into Facebook Live on the Har Shalom Facebook Page OR
* Join Zoom Meeting Here
* Shabbat is here! Let’s create a virtual community as we sing some Shabbat favorites. Bring your Siddur, use this one online, or just bring your soul and desire to connect virtually. We’ll provide the melodies and the spirit.
Shabbat Morning Services
* 10:00 AM, Saturdays
* Live Stream Here
* Download Siddur Sim Shalom Here, and choose "Siddur Sim Shalom: Shabbat Morning"
Virtual Morning Minyan with Rabbi Raskin
* 8 :00 AM, Monday - Friday
* 9:00 AM, Sunday
* Kaddish will be recited daily (when there is a minyan present on zoom)
* Download Siddur Sim Shalom Here, and choose "Siddur Sim Shalom: Shaharit for Weekdays"
* Click for the Zoom link here:
Meeting ID: 358 616 222 Password: 557195
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,358616222# US
Contemplative Practice Based On The Evening Service with Hazzan Ozur Bass
* 7:30 PM, Monday - Thursday,
Tune into Facebook Live on the Har Shalom Facebook Page OR
* Zoom: Kaddish will be recited (when there is a minyan present on zoom)
* 30 minutes of spiritual engagement based on the evening services. We’ll use chants, nigunim, and the traditional melodies to guide us in prayerful connections.
NEW Traditional Sunday Evening Minyan
Traditional evening Minyan led by David Marcus. Prayers will be shared on the screen. Kaddish will be recited if there are 10 people on Zoom. Starting on April 19, every Sunday at 7:45 PM.
Zoom link here.
We are a connected community. Want to chat with current congregants? Send Carly an email and she will pair you up with someone!
