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, February 12 2025
14 Shevat 5785
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 13th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 19 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Feb 19th 6:00p to 7:15p
Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Women's Network as we explore both timely and timeless topics through the lens of "Dirshuni: Contemporary Women's Midrash," a book which weaves together ancient Jewish texts and contemporary women's voices. All are welcome, whether it is your first time or you are a regular. All you need is an interest in learning! Snacks will be provided. Note: Evening minyan begins at 5:30 pm (and please join us if you can!). Class will begin at approximately 6:00pm. -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 20 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 20th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 21 , 2025Shababa
Friday, Feb 21st 5:30p to 7:00p
Shababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children ~8 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers and children's dinner. RSVP today! Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring a Shababa. To sponsor a dinner, please contact Dr. Eliyahu Krigel (ekrigel@bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696). -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 27 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 27th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register!
Contact Us
Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
Office Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday: 8:30am - 2:30pm
SULAM Beth El Educational Program:
Upcoming Events
-
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 13th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 19 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Feb 19th 6:00p to 7:15p
Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Women's Network as we explore both timely and timeless topics through the lens of "Dirshuni: Contemporary Women's Midrash," a book which weaves together ancient Jewish texts and contemporary women's voices. All are welcome, whether it is your first time or you are a regular. All you need is an interest in learning! Snacks will be provided. Note: Evening minyan begins at 5:30 pm (and please join us if you can!). Class will begin at approximately 6:00pm. -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 20 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 20th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 21 , 2025Shababa
Friday, Feb 21st 5:30p to 7:00p
Shababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children ~8 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers and children's dinner. RSVP today! Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring a Shababa. To sponsor a dinner, please contact Dr. Eliyahu Krigel (ekrigel@bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696).
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