Sponsored by: Community You Can Believe In
Food Pantry
Food Pantry
Beth El has a long history of involvement with and support for the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services. You’ll find a bin for food donations at the front entry door and a list of desired items at the end of this page. Hunger is, sadly, ever-present in our communities, including West Hartford and Farmington Valley; the extra can or box of food you buy when you shop will find a welcome home.
Special Food Drive Initiatives
There are many different ways you can help.
A special food drive is held each year during the High Holiday season. Beth El members are encouraged to bring bags of food to the synagogue prior to Yom Kippur. As we fast, we think of those in our community for whom hunger is a part of everyday life.
Every year the religious educational program sponsors a cereal drive. Learners bring one or more boxes of cereal when they come to temple. Congregants are invited to participate as well. Watch Temple Topics and the Shabbat Leaflet for an announcement of this drive and bring your cereal boxes to the educational program.
The Beth El Women's Network created a program for Bat/Bar Mitzvah families to further support the pantry. For $150, Women's Network will decorate food baskets in place of traditional flower arrangements. This is a wonderful mitzvah, for you are feeding the hungry, decorating the Bimah, and sending a powerful message all at the same time! Many families also create food baskets as their table centerpieces at their Simchas and then donate the baskets to the food pantry.
Children are so mindful of hunger in our communities that many request cans of food in lieu of gifts for their birthday parties. As part of the birthday celebration, the children can go to the Pantry or come to Beth El and deliver the food. It’s so heartwarming, and lessons are learned which last a lifetime!
All these Beth El mitzvot are truly helping our neighbors. Let’s try to end hunger right in our own backyard! Now that you know what Beth El is doing for the Food Pantry, you should know why we are doing it.
The Kosher Food Pantry was founded in 2002 when it became apparent there was a need in the community for people who keep kosher to have a place to get food assistance. Over the years, the Food Pantry has extended its reach and now serves people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
The Kosher Food Pantry distributes thousands of dollars of food each month. Supermarket gift cards, cash and checks in all denominations are gratefully accepted. 100% of your donations are used directly for the pantry items purchased.
Below is a list of foods, cleaning & household products & toiletries that are needed. All food has to be unopened & KOSHER. A large box is located at the entrance of Beth El for the collection of these items. About ¾ of all prepackaged food products are kosher. Look for the hechsher symbol. Some of the popular ones are shown below:

Wed, March 22 2023
29 Adar 5783
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2023Beth El Music & Arts: Season Concert #2 - History of Israel in Song
Sunday, Mar 26th 7:00p to 9:00p
Enjoy an evening of beautiful music with Cantor Joseph Ness and Beth El Music & Arts! Israel carries a great tradition of poets and songwriters, spanning the Ashkenazic and Sephardic cultures. Cantorial soloist Talya Smilowitz, Israeli singer Gilad Paz, pianist Alex Nakhimovsky, Cantor Joseph Ness and the Beth El Orchestra will perform poignant and joyful songs by Jewish composers such as Sasha Argov and Moshe Wilensky, as well as the great Dvořák cello concerto in B minor, Op. 104, performed by Michael Katz. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 31 , 2023Spring Into Shabbat Community Dinner
Friday, Mar 31st 7:00p to 9:00p
Spring may officially start on March 20th, but we are excited to celebrate the changing of seasons with you in a pre-Passover, "Spring Into Shabbat" community dinner! Click in to register! -
Wednesday ,
AprApril 5 , 2023Fast of the Firstborn Service and Study Session
Wednesday, Apr 5th 7:00a to 8:00p
Join us in the chapel or on Zoom! Sponsored by Bob & Susan Gold in memory of Leo Gold. -
Thursday ,
AprApril 6 , 2023Passover Festival Morning Service
Thursday, Apr 6th 9:30a to 12:00p
To watch our livestream, click here -
Friday ,
AprApril 7 , 2023Passover Festival Morning Service
Friday, Apr 7th 9:30a to 12:00p
To watch our livestream, click here