A teaching of Reconstructionism is that we live in two civilizations, and that the values of each inform and enrich the other. Without doubt, the American values of democracy, gender equality, and inclusion have informed our Jewish practice. Shabbat falls on the 4th of July this year, so in order to celebrate both Shabbat and the 4th, we will begin services at 9:30 and end at 11 a.m., just when the parade is set to begin a block north of the synagogue.