The communal life of Avodat Yisrael is motivated by a passion to live out a divine calling through:

1. Worship (avodah) - a celebration of divine worship through Sabbath and holiday services, and devotion to prayer (eyon tefilah).

2. Spiritual education (talmud torah) - personal and communal study of Scripture, commentary, custom, and spiritual life through weekly Shabbat school for all ages.

3. Deeds of kindness (gemilut chasidim) - expressions of love for all Israel (ahavat Yisrael) and a commitment to help repair the world (tiqqun olam). Compassion is displayed in a variety of ways including hospitality to guests (hachnasatorchim), visiting the sick (bikor cholim), and interpersonal reconciliation (shalom ben adam lachavero).

The congregation's name, Avodat Yisrael, means 'the service of Israel' and conveys the importance of community service as a way of life. Avodat is also related to the Hebrew word for servant (eved) which is used for the Messianic title, My Servant. Congregation Avodat Yisrael seeks to reflect closely the life of the Messiah who "came not to be served, but to serve."