About Our Congregation

In 1986, a small group of families had the vision to start a new Conservative synagogue in Richmond.  Through their dedicated efforts, our egalitarian, participatory Congregation was created and continues to thrive.

The hallmark of our Congregation is our sense of community:

• Children are involved in all aspects of synagogue life 

• Interfaith families, and those of all lifestyles, are welcomed and included. 

• Congregants of all ages enjoy spending time together praying, learning, relaxing, socializing, and contributing to the greater community. 

Congregation Or Atid fosters Jewish identity, values, and spirituality, and promotes the observance of Jewish traditions within a comfortable and caring environment.

Our mission is to serve and support each member in a caring, respectful and collaborative manner.  Congregation Or Atid is a vibrant, multi-generational congregation that is warm and friendly, and devoted to enriching our members’ lives.  We enable each member to achieve his or her own Jewish identity through innovative and traditional worship experiences, lifelong learning, and community involvement.

Our name in Hebrew means “light of the future.”  The interplay between natural light and spirituality was the inspiration for nationally renowned architect, Jay Brown of Levin-Brown, as he designed our new facility in 2011.  Anchored by our handcrafted Ark with its distinctive lead glass doors, our sanctuary opens to an airy patio via a unique folding glass wall. These features help create an inspiring spiritual home.

Our state of the art, WiFi-enabled modern facility houses our contemporary sanctuary, administrative offices, a full meat and dairy kitchen, and our innovative Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School complete with an outdoor playground.