Shir Tikvah (Song of Hope) can trace its beginnings to a meeting of six people at a St. Paul restaurant in February, 1988.
...things moved quickly ...and by August Rabbi Stacy Offner had been hired
to lead the 40 household congregation.
This small group shared a common vision: a new synagogue in the spirit of liberal Judaism that would welcome and encourage
the participation of individuals and families of varying Jewish lifestyles.
They envisioned a synagogue that was personal, welcoming and active in Torah study and social action. They wondered whether
others in the community would be interested.
The answer became clear a few weeks later, when over 200 people attended the first informational meeting.
From there, things moved quickly. In May, the new congregation held its first Shabbat service, and by August Rabbi Stacy Offner had been hired
to lead the 40 household congregation.
By the end of the year, the congregation had a name, Shir Tikvah, and a membership of 80 households. At the end of
the second year Shir Tikvah was a congregation of 120 households. Shir Tikvah moved into its current building in 1994, and now
has a membership of over 350
vibrant households.
