Our Community

Kehilat Pardes – The Rock Creek Synagogue is a modern orthodox Jewish community located in Aspen Hill, MD. We welcome members and guests from all backgrounds, and endlessly strive to create a culture of welcoming, spiritual dynamism, and social responsibility in our close-knit congregation.

Our young community emphasizes a strong youth program, regular adult learning, spirited tefillah, yearly chessed initiatives, a supportive community, inspired women’s programming, and a strong bond with the State of Israel. There is a mikvah attached to the shul, as well as an eruv surrounding the community. We are affiliated with the Orthodox Union.

Visit Us

We are honored to welcome visitors to our community. Feel free to drop in for any of our classes, services, or programs, or spend Shabbat with us if you are visiting family or friends, in town on business, or just looking for a different kind of Shabbat experience! Our congregation is also engaged in a strategic growth initiative, and is actively seeking families looking to join our dynamic, growing community where your presence will help shape the future of the community.

What to expect on Shabbat

There is an hour-long, spiritual, song-filled Kabbalat Shabbat service every Friday night (7pm during summer months, and varied times in the winter based on sunset/candle lighting times). Children are always welcome.

Shabbat morning services are held weekly between 9am – 11:30am. The Torah reading service runs approximately from 10am – 11am, and includes a sermon, regularly delivered by the Rabbi. Children’s groups are led by parent volunteers under the direction of our youth director, and are broken out over four different age groups.

In addition, all children are welcome in synagogue throughout the service, and are encouraged to lead parts of the davening, and are all invited to help conclude the davening each Shabbat, including for our Anim Zemirot Torah Parade!

A communal kiddush follows the service each week, but relies on sponsorships of members and guests!

The Rabbi gives a class every Shabbat afternoon open to the community, which takes place 45 minutes before Mincha. Shabbat concludes each week with Seudah Shlishit, Maariv, and a spirited Havdalah.

We are happy to provide Shabbat hospitality for any visitors. Please contact the office to make arrangements.

Relationship with the Berman Hebrew Academy

We share a unique relationship with the Berman Hebrew Academy. Housed within the school, the ongoing growth of the community is one of our school’s core strategic initiatives. Our rabbi also serves as the Rav HaKehilla of Berman.