Kesher Israel Congregation in DC

[Anonymous]

I’m in NOVA and looking into Modern Orthodox Judaism( I’m not Jewish but just looking into things at the moment)

Is Kesher Israel Congregation the only Modern Orthodox synagogue in the area? Also, do most members there drive to Shabat services?

[Anonymous]

Kesher Israel is in DC, but it is the closest Orthodox option to Northern Virginia. Orthodox Judaism requires people to be shomer Shabbat, which means they can't drive or use electricity or spend money on Shabbat, so the community is expected to live walking distance and walk on Shabbat. There may be some people who drive, but often they will park a couple blocks away and walk, either to hide the fact that they drove, or to be respectful of the community.

Ohev Shalom up on 16th Street near Silver Spring is another Modern Orthodox option, but it's further from Northern Virginia.

There are lots of Chabad houses throughout Northern Virginia, which are Orthodox.

Have you looked into the non-Orthodox synagogues in Northern Virginia? There are lots of Conservative (in the denominational sense, not political) options and Reform, even a Reconstructionist and one unaffiliated.