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. Volunteers, including learners from our religious educational program and Solomon Schechter Day School, help sort and transport the food on the Sunday morning after Yom Kippur. Please come and join our sorting team.
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:

Sun, April 18 2021
6 Iyyar 5781
Upcoming Events
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Monday ,
AprApril 19 , 2021Musical Chat with Cantor Joseph Ness
Monday, Apr 19th 1:00p to 2:00p
Cantor Ness is back with this very popular class, but instead of weekly, we'll meet twice a month. Cantor leads a discussion on various aspects of Jewish music, both culturally and liturgically; a link to the music will be provided before class. For access details, please contact Lydia Lutt (marketing@bethelwh.org). -
Monday ,
AprApril 19 , 2021Hartford Theater During the Time of COVID
Monday, Apr 19th 8:00p to 9:00p
Please join the leaders of our three Hartford theaters for a panel discussion on challenges each has faced in producing shows over the past year (selecting plays, casting actors, producing and charging for "virtual” theater), their very tentative plans for reopening and how this past year may change how theater works going forward. Panelists will include: -Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director, Hartford Stage -Tracy Flater, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Playhouse on Park -taneisha duggan, Artistic Producer, TheaterWorks Hartford The moderator will be Chuck Coursey, Principal and President at Coursey & Company. Chuck, former Deputy Mayor of Town of West Hartford, is a founding Vice President of West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park and involved in many civic and cultural initiatives. -
Tuesday ,
AprApril 27 , 2021So You Want to Talk About Race
Tuesday, Apr 27th 8:00p to 9:00p
Joy Wright, Principal of King Philip Middle School, will facilitate a discussion of the NY Times bestseller, "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo. This is a continuation of BET's conversation about antiracism and unconscious bias. "In this breakout book, Ijeoma Oluo explores the complex reality of today's racial landscape--from white privilege and police brutality to systemic discrimination and the Black Lives Matter movement--offering straightforward clarity that readers need to contribute to the dismantling of the racial divide. [T]his book is much-needed and timely. It is more than a primer on racism. It is a comprehensive conversation guide." - National Review of Books Click here for more information and to register. -
Saturday ,
MayMay 8 , 2021Mazel Tots
Shabbat, May 8th 11:00a to 12:00p
Mazel Tots is the spot for kiddos on Shabbat mornings! Enjoy songs, prayers and stories. This program is geared for children from birth through kindergarten with their parents, but all are welcome. Click here to register! -
Wednesday ,
MayMay 12 , 2021Men's Club Presents: Program on Security & Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 12th 8:00p to 9:30p
We invite you to join us for a Zoom program with Brian Foley, Exec. Assistant to the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection (DESPP) Commissioner. Previously, he was Chief Investigative Reporter for Fox61. Before that, he served on Hartford's Police Department for more than 23 years, retiring from law enforcement in 2018. As the Chief of Detectives for the department, he oversaw all criminal investigations, from fraud to homicide, in the Investigative Services Bureau. Brian Foley’s presentation will focus on security. All Men’s Club members are requested to attend this presentation and remain on for the Annual Membership Meeting portion of the program starting at 9:00pm, where we’ll have elections for next year’s board members.