About CAS

In August, 1997, a group of dedicated individuals lead by Rabbi Chava Bahle came together to form a new Jewish congregation in the Grand Traverse area with the hope that it might be a community that is spiritual, active, vibrant, and very welcoming. The first meetings took place in Rabbi Chava’s living room where the vision and mission of what was to become Congregation Ahavat Shalom took shape.

The name “Congregation Ahavat Shalom” was chosen as a reflection of our emphasis on people and community, and as a reflection of the two highest guiding ideals of our congregation: love, which includes connection, family, friendship, fellowship and compassion, and peace, which includes community action, social justice, inclusiveness and wholeness. Our Hebrew name also reflects our abiding connection to our Jewish heritage.

Since those humble beginnings our congregation continues to thrive with dynamic rabbinic leadership, Shabbat services, holidays, children’s education, adult programming, a warm social network, and a reputation for championing social justice in our community.
Rabbi Chava’s vision, coupled with those who crafted our vision with such insight, provided those who have since followed with a spiritual path filled with chassed and Tikkun Olam.  Over these many years those who have joined Congregation Ahavat Shalom have strived to broaden the spiritual path given us and to nurture it with love and peace for the generations to come.  The values our congregation holds are best expressed by our mission statement:
“We are an independent Jewish congregation open to all people of any cultural origin.  Our purpose is to meet celebrational, spiritual, education and philosophical needs through exploration together; and to interact with the larger community by actively sponsoring and supporting diversity and inclusivity with harmony and peace-based programs.

Today Congregation Ahavat Shalom is lead spiritually and otherwise by Reb Seth Castleman.

Whatever the faiths you have known, or the flags of your heritage – you are welcome here.  Whoever you are, whatever the circumstances of your life, and whomever you love – you are welcome here.  And, whether you ran in here on little feet today, or walked in briskly, or ambled, or rolled in, you are welcome here.  Whether you agree or disagree, have doubts or certainties, lean left or right or like the middle, you are welcome here.”