Congregation Beth Shalom: Who We Are

Congregation Beth Shalom is a place where members -- adults and children alike -- come together to learn about the spiritual offerings of our Jewish tradition in order to enhance their own spiritual experience in a Jewish community. We come together to pray in a meaningful and joyous way and to celebrate the history and traditions of Judaism. Ours is a kind and nurturing community where members genuinely care about one another, which is reflected at multiple levels, especially around simchas and tragedies. We promote and cultivate a lifelong connection to Judaism through our congregational programs, and those available through the Reform and Renewal movements, including camps and Israel experiences.

A Community Open to All Jews & Their Families,
and those seeking a Jewish Spiritual Path

Beth Shalom is a community committed to egalitarianism, including equal participation and status for men and women, those of all sexual orientations and others who have been marginalized in Jewish life in the past. There is a place and programming for those at all ages and stages of life. And while Beth Shalom is affiliated with the Reform movement, we welcome all Jews and interfaith families.

Committed to Interpreting Judaism through the Lens of Progressive Judaism

At Beth Shalom, we strive to eliminate any conflict between Judaism and modernity. We fully accept and embrace science as consistent with our understanding of G!d and Jewish tradition. We are open to many interpretations of our texts and acknowledge that not all sacred texts are necessarily literal history. We embrace the idea that Hebrew is our people's sacred language and we offer the opportunity to learn it. We teach the Hebrew of Israel and progressive Judaism that is used in nearly all Jewish congregations around the world.

Reaching Out Beyond Our Temple Walls

Beth Shalom is a community involved in g’millut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness) and t’kun olam (repairing the world), engaging in social justice work throughout local and global communities. We are deeply committed to interfaith dialogue in which we understand that Judaism is not superior to any other religion, and that all religions offer access to G-d and spiritual growth through their respective traditions. And we embrace a global vision of the role of human beings and their individual spiritual paths in the transformation of our precious planet.