Siddur Sim Shalom

Siddur Sim Shalom may refer to any siddur in a family of siddurim. Jewish prayer books, and related commentaries on these siddurim are published by the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
There are currently three versions of the Siddur Sim Shalom prayer book, and two detailed commentaries that contain the entire text of the siddur. The commentaries are known as Or Hadash (Hebrew: "A New Light").
== Siddur Sim Shalom (Original 1985 edition) ==
The first version of Siddur Sim Shalom was edited by Rabbi Jules Harlow, and published in 1985. This is the first siddur in which the beliefs and theology of Conservative Judaismwere fully made explicit. 
It contains services for weekdays, Shabbat and Jewish festivals. In accord with Conservative Jewish theology, is contains prayers and services for Israel Independence Day and Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). It is egalitarian in usage, e.g. offering prayers for the wearing of tefillin and tallit in both feminine and masculine form.
While very traditional when compared to the prayer books of Reform Judaism, this siddur does contain a number of notable departures from the text used in Orthodox Judaism.
Harlow writes that "Three of the early morning berakhot were modified to praise God for having created each individual in God's image, a free person and a Jew, rather than 
the conventional version which express gratitude for not having been created a woman, a slave or a non-Jew."
Perhaps the most significant difference between Conservative and Orthodox siddurim is found in the Birkot Hashachar section; this part of the morning service traditionally contained many passages describing sacrifices that used to be carried out in the Temple in Jerusalem. Many passages on animal sacrifices are not present in Siddur Sim Shalom.
Harlow writes "The sacrificial ritual in ancient times was construed as means by which a Jew gained atonement for sin. After the destruction of the Temple and the consequential end of sacrifices there, the Jewish people were deprived of this means. To replace the readings on sacrifices, modern Conservative prayer books cite the talmudic teaching that deeds of loving-kindness now atone for sin; they draw upon rabbinic tradition to emphasize teachings about atonement and necessary behavior."
The pocket edition also includes weekday Torah readings.
==Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals==
Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals was edited by Rabbi Lawrence Cahan, and published in 1998. It started as a new edition of Siddur Sim Shalom just for Shabbat and Festivals (it contains no weekday services; this resulting thinner edition is thus nicknamed "Slim Shalom").
Most of the translations are nearly identical to Harlow's 1985 edition, but this siddur uses gender-sensitive translations of the names of God, and presents the option to use the Imahot (matriarchs) in the Amidah (Shemonah Esrah).
It also restores a few traditional Ashkenazic prayers that were not in the 1985 version, including Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha Nachmani 13 principles of biblical interpretation, the B'rah Dodi poems for Pesach, Ana B'kho-ah at the end of Psalm 29 in Kabbalat Shabbat, and Ushpizin for Sukkot, included in a new, egalitarian version. The Y'hi Ratzon meditation following the Musaf Amidah is restored.
It includes new translations of a number of prayers and poems that were not translated at all in the previous edition, including Akdamut and the Hoshanot (only summaries of these prayers had been given previously.) It offers an easier to follow layout and table of contents; many pages have notes explaining the background and meanings of the prayers; guidelines and instructions on the content, choreography and continuity of the service. There is an increased use of transliteration. It contains a comprehensive section of Shabbat and Holiday home rituals.
==Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays==
Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays was edited by Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner, and published in 2003. This siddur is the companion to Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals. In the introduction the editor writes:
:We began with the text of the original Siddur Sim Shalom published in 1985 under the...skillful editorship of Rabbi Jules Harlow whose eloquent and poetic translations inspire this text....Many of the innovations and approaches of the 'Siddur for Shabbat and Festivals' have been adopted here. Whenever possible, pages were reproduced intact, or with minor changes.
This weekday siddur contains Torah reading, inspirational messages, services for the home and includes new materials for special occasions and commemorations. 
:We felt keenly that while the miraculous events of the founding of the State of Israel had found fitting expression {in the other Conservative siddurim} the more difficult experience of the Holocaust had yet to find an appropriate place in our prayers, Therefore, we composed a Nahum prayer for Yom Ha-shoah, inspired by that which appeared in Siddur Va'ani Tefilati of the Masorti Movement in 1998. In an insert into the Amidah, similar to that used traditionally on Tisha B'Av, we seek God's comfort in light of our people's losses in Europe during the Holocaust. We felt the need, beyond that, to acknowledge on a daily basis the enormous effect that the Holocaust has had upon our people. At the end of Tachanun papers, in a prayer which reflects our suffering, we added reference to the anguish we still feel.
==Or Hadash==
Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals was written by Israel Masorti Rabbi Reuven Hammer, and published in 2003. It contains the complete text of the siddur for the Sabbath and festivals, surrounded by a comprehensive commentary. The page layout loosely resembles that of the Talmud.
Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays was also written by Israel Masorti Rabbi Reuven Hammer, and published in 2008. It contains the complete text of the siddur for weekdays, surrounded by a comprehensive commentary.
Both volumes offer information on the historical development of the liturgy, "a phrase-by-phrase commentary, a linguistic, literary and theological explanation of their structure and meaning as well as interpretations meant to make them relevant for the modern worshipper." (from the description on the Rabbinical Assembly website.)
==References==
* David Golinkin "Siddur Sim Shalom - A Halakhic Analysis", Conservative Judaism, Vol.41(1) Fall 1988 p.38-55
* Jules Harlow "Introducing Siddur Sim Shalom" Conservative Judaism Vol.37(4) Summer 1984 p.5-17
* Jeffrey Rubenstein "Siddur Sim Shalom and Developing Conservative Theology" Conservative Judaism Vol. 41(1) Fall 1988 p.21-37
* Jeffrey Rubenstein "Ethics and the Liturgy of the Conservative Movement" Judaism Winter 1991 Vol.40(1) p.95-114
Sim Shalom