Congregation Shirat Shalom Boca Raton

Congregation Shirat Shalom Boca Raton Rabbi David Degani and Cantor Lee Degani We focus on nurturing
our children in the development of their Jewish identities in a warm
and intimate community.

Shirat Shalom.which means 'Song of Peace' is a family centered, affordable
congregation , which promotes Jewish and spiritual growth. Shirat Shalom was established in 1998 as an alternative to the traditional synagogue model. As a congregation without walls we are able to keep membership minimal and focus on our mission to bring our children and families back to the mystical and spiritual roots o

f Judaism. We offer Judaica and Hebrew classes from Kindergarten to Confirmation as well as
a Bat and Bar Mitzvah tutoring program. We emulate and teach “Judaism of the Heart” for we know that these children entrusted to us are here on earth to make a difference in our world. Our Torah study group and Meditation Healing Circle both meet monthly and are
open to all. Our children help us lead Friday Evening Services, which are held at Olympic Heights Community High School in West Boca Raton. These services are filled with song and prayer and are followed by an
Oneg Shabbat. Shabbat Morning services are hosted by members in their homes. In addition, our members participate in services to honor
the High Holy Days and other festivals. Our “Congregation without Walls” is egalitarian and our services and ceremonies follow a Reform format while incorporating traditional, modern and
innovative Jewish influence. All our services including High Holidays are open to the community and our Rabbi and Cantor are available to perform all life cycle events. It is through our children that “Shirat Shalom” a Song of Peace is being sung throughout the world.

Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Matthew who had a beautiful ceremony with Rabbi David! With so and Joy in the room, even the he...
05/07/2026

Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Matthew who had a beautiful ceremony with Rabbi David! With so and Joy in the room, even the heavenly beings joined in with with smiles and laughter!

Mazel Tov to this princess bride, Jade and prince groom, Jordan who had a beautiful ceremony on the beach! With Jade bei...
04/29/2026

Mazel Tov to this princess bride, Jade and prince groom, Jordan who had a beautiful ceremony on the beach! With Jade being Rabbi David and Cantor Lee’s Bat Mitzvah student from 17 years ago, the Joy radiating from all was off the charts! Even the maintenance trucks decided to add their congratulations!

The encounter between Moses and Pharaoh, retold each Passover, is more than a story of liberation. It is a study in how ...
03/31/2026

The encounter between Moses and Pharaoh, retold each Passover, is more than a story of liberation. It is a study in how freedom is born.

Moses, eighty, and Aaron, eighty-three, arrive from the desert, dusty, unannounced, yet they pass the guards and stand before Pharaoh. How?

The Torah says, “Bo el Paroh”-come into Pharaoh. The commentators in the Gemara teach that the Divine Presence was already there. Moses and Aaron did not enter alone; they were carried by a strength beyond themselves. Power recognizes power.

Yet, Moses does not demand full freedom. He asks only that the people go into the desert to serve G-d. Is this a ruse? The sages say no as freedom comes in stages. A slave must first taste inner freedom, spiritually and mentally before he can bring it into his physical life. The journey into the desert was not an escape, it was preparation.

This is not merely a political struggle. It is a confrontation between worlds: Pharaoh, the embodiment of human power posing as divine, and the G-d of Israel, unseen yet absolute. Each plague chips away not only at Egypt, but at Pharaoh’s self-image.

The plagues have unsettled Pharoah so he negotiates. First the men can go, then, when Moses flatly refuses to compromise, the families can join, but not with everything they own. Pharoah understands the risk. If he fully releases the slaves that means he is admitting there is a higher authority. Even accompanying them with his mighty army would concede too much.

Why does he not yield completely? Why not believe in this new Divine Authority? Because true faith would limit him. To serve a true G-d is to surrender the illusion of being one. It is too much for his ego.

So Pharaoh resists, not only Moses, but the truth that is right in front of him. He eventually loses his army and his prestige in the Sea of Reeds yet he clings to the final illusion of control.

The Exodus story teaches us that liberation begins within. Only those willing to release their inner Pharaoh can walk into freedom.

Something to think about…

May we all be released into freedom this Passover!

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi David

Mazel Tov to Nora and Abigail who had a beautiful wedding ceremony with Rabbi David and Cantor Lee! With so much Joy rad...
03/24/2026

Mazel Tov to Nora and Abigail who had a beautiful wedding ceremony with Rabbi David and Cantor Lee! With so much Joy radiating from these two soul mates even the flowers couldn't help but dance and smile!!

Mazel Tov to Jaime and Brandon who had a beautiful ceremony with Rabbi David! Even the sun and birds decided to visit wi...
03/17/2026

Mazel Tov to Jaime and Brandon who had a beautiful ceremony with Rabbi David! Even the sun and birds decided to visit with so much Love in the air!

Mazel Tov to Cynthia and Joshua who had a beautiful wedding ceremony with Cantor Lee! Even Mother Nature celebrated wit...
03/17/2026

Mazel Tov to Cynthia and Joshua who had a beautiful wedding ceremony with Cantor Lee! Even Mother Nature celebrated with a beautiful gift of waiting with the rain and keeping it cool for these two love birds!

Mazel Tov To Ashlynn and Aleks who had a beautiful wedding ceremony with Rabbi David! Even the cold couldn’t mar the Joy...
02/03/2026

Mazel Tov To Ashlynn and Aleks who had a beautiful wedding ceremony with Rabbi David! Even the cold couldn’t mar the Joy and Love radiating from this beautiful couple. It even kept everone warm!

Mazel Tov to Adam who became a Bar Mitzvah with Cong. Shirat Shalom! With so many friends attending including camp frien...
01/22/2026

Mazel Tov to Adam who became a Bar Mitzvah with Cong. Shirat Shalom! With so many friends attending including camp friends, Adam led the prayers and chanted his Torah portion with poise and confidence! Sharing his day with Adam Kauf, a child who perished in the Holocaust, Adam brought an important message from his Torah portion that we can all draw on the power of G-d that lives inside of us. Adam will continue to bring much Confidence, Humor, Dilligence, Inner Power, Compassion, Kindness, Light and Love into our world as a Bar Mitzvah!

Mazel Tov to Parker who became a Bar Mitzvah with Cong. Shirat Shalom! Sharing his day with Manes Rubin, a child who per...
01/09/2026

Mazel Tov to Parker who became a Bar Mitzvah with Cong. Shirat Shalom! Sharing his day with Manes Rubin, a child who perished in the Holocaust, Parker certainly touched all hearts as he chanted the prayers and his Torah portion so beautifully! He brought an important message from his Torah portion, Vayechi, of the importance of forgiveness and trust. Parker will certainly continue to bring much Peace, Compassion, Kindness, Joy, Love and Light into our world as a Bar Mitzvah!

In addition to Yom Kippur, there are other days during the year set aside for reflection and fasting. This month we obs...
12/30/2025

In addition to Yom Kippur, there are other days during the year set aside for reflection and fasting. This month we observed the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, which this year occurred on December 30th. It comes just before our secular New Year, a time many people also use for reflection.

From an historical perspective, the tenth day of Tevet marks the first day the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem in 588 BCE. That siege ultimately led to the destruction of the majestic Temple of Solomon, our First Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. Out of this great loss emerged a profound spiritual shift. Prayer and connection to the Divine were no longer centered on a physical building or animal sacrifice, but on inner spirituality and direct communication. This marked the beginning of a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Light unto the Nations.

Every Hebrew month also has a Hebrew letter associated with it. The letter Ayin is assigned to Tevet. Ayin means eye and represents our inner divine vision.This inner vision became especially important after the destruction of the Temple, when spiritual connection could no longer rely on a physical place. Instead, the focus shifted to the inner sanctuary—the heart and the soul where the inner vision resides.

The prophets have foretold there will be another great shift which will include deep darkness which we believe we are experiencing right now. But out of that darkness there will arise a new Light bringing a new way of being not only for the Jewish people but the rest of humanity.

We believe that in some small way the teachings we have brought to our Shirat Shalom children throughout the years are a part of this great shift and also includes our Infinite Light Vision program which helps the children connect more deeply to their Inner Divine Light. We have even adapted this program for the secular world which we first began in our Hebrew School over eight years ago and have worked with children and families all over the world!

Here is our original letter to the congregation about this back in 2017! https://www.shiratshalom.org/Rabbi-and-Cantors-Messages/5004496

As we enter the New Year, we are excited to offer a new program for children and parents (and playful adults) for all faiths and traditions beginning Jan. 17 to connect more deeply to our Divine Light! If you feel called to this, wonderful! Come join us! Find out More Here: https://connectohealing.kartra.com/page/ILV-Workshop-Children

Shalom, Rabbi David and Cantor Lee

Mazel Tov to Benjamin who became a Bar Mitzvah with Cong. Shirat Shalom! Leading the prayers and chanting his Torah port...
12/30/2025

Mazel Tov to Benjamin who became a Bar Mitzvah with Cong. Shirat Shalom! Leading the prayers and chanting his Torah portion so beautifully, Benjamin lit up everyone's hearts! He brought an important message from his Torah portion, Vayigash, about the power of forgiveness even though it isn't always easy to forgive others. Benjamin will continue to bring Compassion, Humor, Playfulness, Joy, Love and Light into our world as a Bar Mitzvah!

Address

12123 Rockwell Way
Boca Raton, FL
33428

Telephone

+15614888079

Website

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