Or haGan began in the summer of 2004 when a group of Jewish men and women in Eugene, Oregon, approached Rabbi Jonathan Seidel to begin a new havurah/minyan in Lane County. Rabbi Seidel, (MA JTS and PhD in Judaic Studies at UC Berkeley) at the time had been recently ordained by ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. He agreed to serve as the unpaid part-time spiritual leader and received worship and teaching space at a local Catholic church (St. Jude’s Parish Hall). Their priest agreed to allow the use of a room without religious icons. Weekly Shabbat Shacharit services, and occasional Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat services, which began just before Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days) 5765. A name (Or haGan - echoing the name of the state) for the new minyan was agreed upon in the late summer of 2004.

A new group of about 12 people decided to hold Yom Tov services and took out advertising in the local papers and the Jewish Review of Portland. The minyan decided to observe all Hagim. Rabbi Seidel, along with several lay people, led services throughout the year. A few brief introductory classes were offered through the auspices of the minyan.

A Board of Directors was formed in November 2004 and Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Oregon in December 2004. After many months of work on a prospective three year budget, a non-profit federal status claim was filed in the spring of 2005.

The United Synagogue has provided logistical and networking advice through Jay Weiner and the Northwest Region of United Synagogue. Early discussions of a new United Synagogue Youth (USY) chapter began in the spring. In May of 2005 Rabbi Seidel attended the United Synagogue convention in Bellevue, Washington. The goal was to learn how to build community and improve marketing.

The Board of Directors continued to meet regularly. With input from the Rabbi they decided to build a school for the calendar year 2005-2006. A local donor was approached about jumpstarting the school and helping to offset salary. A substantial private grant was received for this purpose. Other grants were received from the USCJ. Monies are currently being sought to continue the growth of the school and Synagogue.

Or haGan holds worship services at the Koinonia Center near the U of O campus in hopes of reaching out to a wider community and the university students.