New to Neshamah?
You’re in the Right Place.
A Jewish Home in South Florida & Online
No Membership Dues, No Barriers
Whether you’re returning to Jewish life after years away, exploring for the first time,
or looking for a community that finally feels like home – welcome.
This page is for you.
The Neshamah Difference
- You belong exactly as you are — no prerequisites, no “good enough Jew” test
- You’ll never be asked about your finances
- Rabbi Amy personally welcomes every new family
- No attendance requirements — come once or come every week
- Interfaith families are warmly and wholeheartedly welcomed
You don’t need to be a “good enough” Jew to belong here.
You will never be asked about your finances.
Nobody will make you feel like an outsider.
You can come once or come every week.
Who Comes to Neshamah?
Families with young children
Interfaith families
Adults returning to Jewish life
Lifelong Jews seeking something more
The spiritually curious
Empty nesters & retirees
If you see yourself in any of these, you’re welcome here.
Meet Rabbi Amy & Our Families
Rabbi Amy founded The Neshamah Institute in 2010 with a single vision: that Jewish life should be accessible, personal, and genuinely meaningful for every kind of family. Ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary in 1999, she brings over 25 years of experience to every interaction — but what families consistently say is that she makes them feel like the only family in the room.
“I founded Neshamah because I believed Jewish life could be better – more personal, more spiritual, more open. After 15 years, I know it works. Every week I have the privilege of watching families find their way home to Judaism. I look forward to meeting you.”
– Rabbi Amy Rader, Founder & Senior Rabbi
Shabbat
Music, Connection & Calm
Come for the Service. Stay for the People.
Fridays 6:30, Monthly
Shabbat is at the heart of the Neshamah experience and plays a central role in Jewish community life in Boca Raton. Regular Friday‑evening gatherings feature live music, uplifting prayer, and opportunities for people of all ages to slow down at the end of a busy week. Because services are designed to be accessible and welcoming, both long‑time synagogue goers and people attending their very first Shabbat can follow along and feel included.
The Best Friday Night You’ll Have All Month
- Warm and casual — no dress code, no assigned seating, no moment where you'll feel lost
- Live music and lots of singing — you'll pick up the melodies naturally
- Hebrew and English with full transliteration — no fluency required
- Rabbi Amy's sermon connects ancient wisdom to real life
- Community dinner and wine bar before the service — where real friendships form
In addition to indoor services, the community sometimes brings Shabbat and even High Holy Day experiences to the beach, combining the beauty of the South Florida coastline with the depth of Jewish tradition. These outdoor gatherings help participants feel the rhythms of nature as they welcome Shabbat or reflect during sacred days, which can be especially meaningful in a coastal city like Boca Raton. For many families, these experiences become defining memories of what the Jewish community Boca Raton can feel like when prayer, song, and nature come together.
The atmosphere is warm and casual.
The music is uplifting and participatory.
The Hebrew is accessible.
The sermon connects to real life.
Dinner precedes the service.
Services are monthly on Friday evenings at 6:30 PM.
Services Designed for the Whole Family.
Soulful Music That Moves You.
Sermons That Actually Connect.
Accessible Hebrew and Full Transliteration.
Beach Yom Kippur - Only at Neshamah.
High Holy Days FAQ
No. Neshamah has no membership requirement. Our High Holy Days services are open to everyone – first-timer, regular attendee, and everything in between.
Our ticket prices are reasonable including an early bird discount and free tickets for students in our Hebrew School. No one is turned away for financial reasons.
Absolutely. Many of the families who find Neshamah do so specifically because they want to reconnect at the High Holy Days but don’t know where to start. Our services are designed to welcome people at every level of Jewish familiarity. You will feel at home from the moment you walk in.
A Yom Kippur service held at the beach, with the ocean as your backdrop and the setting sun marking the close of the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is deeply moving, completely unique, and one of the experiences Neshamah families treasure most. Check our High Holy Days page for this year’s details.
In the theater at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach. Dates and times are posted on our High Holy Days page each year.
That Your Child Will Actually Love
Education for Every Age, Every Background, Every Family
At most synagogues, Jewish education feels like something to get through – an obligation on the way to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah and not much more. At Neshamah, we built something entirely different. Our programs are joyful, engaging, and designed to connect your child to Judaism in a way that actually lasts – not just for a ceremony, but for a lifetime. Whether your family is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition or just beginning to explore, you will find a home here for your child’s Jewish education. No prior knowledge is required. No family is too interfaith, too unaffiliated, or too “in between” to belong.
Hebrew School in Boca Raton, Florida (K–12)
Where Kids Actually Want to Be
- Kindergarten through 12th grade, every level of knowledge welcome
- Taught by rabbis and master Jewish educators who bring genuine passion
- Available in person AND online — flexible for your family
- No prior knowledge required — we meet every student where they are
- Hands On Holidays program: experiential learning that makes every holiday memorable
Classes are available both in person and online, giving your family flexibility without sacrificing depth or quality.
Neshamah Hebrew School serves children Kindergarten through 12th grade, at every level of Jewish knowledg, including kids who are starting completely from scratch. Classes are taught by rabbis and master Jewish educators who bring warmth, creativity, and genuine passion to every session. We don’t just teach Hebrew letters and holidays. We connect Jewish values, stories, and traditions to the world your child actually lives in. The result is kids who leave class excited about what they learned, not relieved it’s over.
For families with children
If you are a parent, this may be the question in your mind: Will my child feel connected to Judaism, or will this just be one more obligation?
At Neshamah:
Hebrew School is engaging and joyful, with teachers who connect Jewish values to everyday life.
B’nai Mitzvah preparation is highly personalized, so your child feels proud of who they are, not just what they can recite.
Kids with no prior Jewish education are welcomed at the same level of care as those who have been in day school for years.
The goal is simple: your child should walk away feeling that Judaism is theirs – something that can support them for life, not just a ceremony they endure and forget.
B’nai Mitzvah Preparation in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County and Online
A Milestone as Unique as Your Child
A B’nai Mitzvah is one of the most significant moments in a Jewish family’s life. At Neshamah, we treat it that way, not as a production to be managed, but as a deeply personal coming-of-age experience rooted in authentic Jewish tradition. Rabbi Amy works individually with every student and family throughout the preparation process. There are no cookie-cutter programs, no assembly-line timelines, and no one-size-fits-all ceremonies. Your child’s B’nai Mitzvah will be genuinely theirs.
The ceremony honors the full depth of Jewish tradition: Torah reading, d’var Torah, the blessings and rituals that have marked Jewish coming-of-age for generations while being crafted to reflect your child’s unique voice, personality, and Jewish journey. We understand that families come in all shapes: interfaith, newly Jewish, mixed observance, geographically scattered. We work with the reality of your family, not an idealized version of it. No membership is required. Preparation is available both in person and online, and ceremonies can be held at our Temple location in Boca Raton or a location of your choosing.
- Rabbi Amy works individually with every student and family — no cookie-cutter programs
- Rooted in authentic Jewish tradition — Torah reading, d’var Torah, full ceremony
- Flexible and family-centered — works with interfaith families, mixed observance, any background
- No membership required
- In person and online preparation available
- Ceremony can be held at a location of your choosing
“I founded Neshamah because I believed Jewish life could be better — more personal, more spiritual, more open. After 15 years, I know it works. Every week I have the privilege of watching families find their way home to Judaism. I look forward to meeting you.”
- Rabbi Amy Rader, Founder & Senior Rabbi
What Our Families Say
High Holy Days
Your Whole Family Will Look Forward To
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur in Palm Beach County
The Most Spiritually Alive Days of Your Year
- Family-friendly — children welcomed, not tolerated
- The Neshamah Soulmates choir and live musicians create a deeply moving atmosphere
- Full transliteration — you'll never feel lost or left behind
- No membership required — open to everyone, first-timers included
Beach Yom Kippur
Only at Neshamah: Beach Sunset Service & Break Fast
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at Neshamah are unlike anything you will find at a traditional synagogue. Our High Holy Days services are built for the whole family – children are genuinely welcomed, not merely tolerated – and designed to be accessible to everyone, whether you have attended services your entire life or haven’t set foot in a synagogue in years. Full transliteration means you will never feel lost or left behind, and you will never be made to feel out of place for not knowing every word by heart.
The Neshamah Soulmates choir and live musicians create a High Holy Days atmosphere that is beautiful, participatory, and deeply felt. Rabbi Amy’s sermons draw on the depth of Jewish tradition to speak to what is actually happening in your life right now 0 your relationships, your hopes, your struggles, the world around you. People leave with something to think about and something to carry forward into the new year.
Among Neshamah’s most treasured traditions is our Beach Yom Kippur service. As Yom Kippur draws to a close, our community gathers at the ocean for Ne’ilah, the final prayer of the holiest day of the Jewish year, with the sun setting over the water. It is an experience unlike anything a traditional synagogue can offer. This is Judaism connected to the natural world, to beauty, and to something larger than four walls. For many families, it becomes the moment that makes them say: this is where I belong.
No membership is required to attend. Our ticket prices are reasonable, with an early bird discount and complimentary tickets for Hebrew School students. No one is turned away for financial reasons.
Jewish Education at Neshamah
Learning That Makes Your Child Love Being Jewish.
At most synagogues, Jewish education feels like an obligation — something kids endure on the way to their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. At Neshamah, we've built something different. Our programs are engaging, joyful, and designed to connect your child to Judaism in a way that actually sticks — not just for the ceremony, but for life.
Hebrew School
What makes it different: Our Hebrew School is taught by rabbis and master Jewish educators who bring warmth, creativity, and genuine passion to every class. We don't just teach Hebrew letters and holidays. We connect Jewish values, stories, and traditions to the world your child actually lives in. Kids leave class talking about what they learned — not relieved it's over.
In person and online: Classes are available both in person and online, giving your family flexibility without sacrificing the quality or depth of the experience
No prior knowledge required: Whether your child has been in Jewish education since preschool or is starting fresh, we meet every student exactly where they are.
Hands-on and holiday-centered: Our Hands On Holidays program brings the Jewish calendar to life through interactive, experiential learning that makes every holiday meaningful and memorable.
Common Hebrew School Questions
We offer Jewish education for children Kindergarten through 12th grade, with age-appropriate curriculum at every level.
Absolutely. Many of our students are starting from the beginning and that is completely welcome. We assess each child individually and place them where they’ll thrive.
Class schedules vary by age group and program. Contact us for current scheduling and to find the best fit for your family.
Yes — many of our classes are offered both in person and online. We’ll work with your family to find the right format.
An experiential holiday program that brings the Jewish calendar to life through creative, interactive learning. Kids don’t just read about Passover or Sukkot — they experience it.
B'nai Mitzvah
What makes Neshamah B'nai Mitzvah different:
Personalized from the start. Rabbi Amy works individually with every student and family throughout the preparation process. There are no cookie-cutter programs, no assembly-line timelines, and no one-size-fits-all ceremonies. Your child's B'nai Mitzvah will be genuinely theirs.
Rooted in authentic tradition. The ceremony honors the full depth of Jewish tradition — Torah reading, d'var Torah, the blessings and rituals that have marked Jewish coming-of-age for generations — while being crafted to reflect your child's unique voice, personality, and Jewish journey.
Flexible and family-centered. We understand that families come in all shapes — interfaith, newly Jewish, mixed observance, geographically scattered. We work with the reality of your family, not an idealized version of it.
No membership required. Unlike traditional synagogues, you do not need to be a dues-paying member to celebrate your child's B'nai Mitzvah at Neshamah. Families are welcomed on their own terms.
In person and online preparation. B'nai Mitzvah preparation sessions are available both in person and via video, so scheduling and distance are never barriers to a meaningful preparation experience.
Common B'nai Mitzvah Questions
Ideally 18 to 24 months before the anticipated ceremony date, though we encourage families to reach out as early as possible to discuss timing and what the process looks like.
Some foundation is helpful, but we work with students at many different starting points. Rabbi Amy will assess your child’s background and create a preparation plan that works for where they are.
Yes – Neshamah ceremonies are held at a variety of locations. Rabbi Amy will work with your family to find the right setting for your celebration.
Absolutely. Rabbi Amy has extensive experience working with interfaith families and is deeply committed to creating a ceremony that honors your child’s Jewish identity while welcoming and respecting your whole family.
B’nai Mitzvah preparation is priced individually based on the scope of the program. Contact us to start a conversation — there are no hidden fees and no pressure.
The most significant differences are the level of personal attention, the flexibility in timing and location, and the absence of membership requirements. Rabbi Amy is personally involved in every step of the process — this is not a program handed off to a tutor.
Frequently Asked Questions
We prefer an RSVP for security and food planning, but you are always welcome to come last minute. Just show up.
Whatever makes you comfortable. Some people dress up; many come casual. White is common in our Shabbat congregation, but there is no dress code.
Not at all. Our services are designed to welcome people at every level of Jewish familiarity. Transliteration is available, and you’ll never be put on the spot.
Absolutely and wholeheartedly. Interfaith families are a valued and integral part of the Neshamah community. Rabbi Amy has extensive experience honoring every member of your family.
There are no membership dues and no mandatory fees. Programs like Hebrew School and B’nai Mitzvah preparation have associated costs. We work with families individually and are committed to removing financial barriers.
Yes. Many classes and programs are available both in person and online. Distance is never a barrier to being part of the Neshamah community.
Book a Welcome Meeting with Rabbi Amy — a free, casual, no-obligation conversation. Ask anything. There’s no sales pitch. Just a real conversation.
For interfaith and “in‑between” families
Many families in this Jewish community in Boca Raton are interfaith, newly Jewish, spiritually curious, or somewhere in between labels.
Here, every member of your family is honored:
Non‑Jewish partners are welcomed and included, not sidelined.
Grandparents from different faith traditions are treated with respect at lifecycle events.
Questions-about God, ritual, identity-are not only allowed, they are encouraged.
If you have ever worried, “Will we be too different for this community?” the answer here is no. You are exactly who Neshamah was built for.
Ready to Begin?
Your First Steps — Three Ways to Start
Come to Shabbat
No commitment, no payment needed. Just show up on a Friday evening at 6:30 PM and experience Neshamah for yourself.
Book a Welcome Meeting
A free, casual conversation with Rabbi Amy.
Ask anything. No pressure, no obligation,
no sales pitch.
Explore Our Programs
Browse Hebrew School, B’nai Mitzvah,
Adult Learning and more.
