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, April 30 2025
2 Iyyar 5785
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
MayMay 1 , 2025Introduction to Mussar: a Mini-Course with Rabbi Jim Rosen
Thursday, May 1st 2:00p to 3:00p
The Mussar movement is a little-known gem that emphasizes the ethical aspects of Judaism. This Jewish experience was largely destroyed by the Nazis, but today it is enjoying a renaissance as many have discovered that its ideas and techniques provide meaningful pathways in life. Please join Rabbi Rosen to learn more about this spiritual practice and dive into the Jewish world of character building, personal ethics, and communal responsibility. Click in to register! -
Friday ,
MayMay 2 , 2025
Friday, May 2nd 7:15p to 9:00p
Join us for a community Shabbat dinner in celebration of Israel and Yom Ha'atzmaut! Click in to register! -
Saturday ,
MayMay 3 , 2025Bat Mitzvah of Michalina Federman
Shabbat, May 3rd 4:30p to 5:30p
-
Wednesday ,
MayMay 7 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, May 7th 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 ,
MayMay 8 , 2025Conversation About Sisterhood and Mental Health with Betsy Lerner, Author of Shred Sisters
Thursday, May 8th 6:00p to 8:00p
In recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Women's Network has invited author Betsy Lerner to discuss her debut novel, Shred Sisters. This intimate and bittersweet story explores the fierce complexities of a suburban Connecticut Jewish family, mental health, and a hard-won path between two sisters. Published in October of 2024, it has been nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award and has garnered many other accolades, including New York Times Notable Book of the Year, New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and Best Book of the Year So Far, and Good Housekeeping October Book Club Pick. Ms. Lerner was already well-known for her earlier memoirs, Food and Loathing and The Bridge Ladies. We will also hear from the CEO of Jewish Family Services for further insights about their mental health services. A light supper will be served. This event is co-sponsored by Women's Network and The Emanuel Synagogue's Membership and Engagement Committee. We hope that you can join us for this great community-wide conversation and great company!
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 ,
MayMay 1 , 2025Introduction to Mussar: a Mini-Course with Rabbi Jim Rosen
Thursday, May 1st 2:00p to 3:00p
The Mussar movement is a little-known gem that emphasizes the ethical aspects of Judaism. This Jewish experience was largely destroyed by the Nazis, but today it is enjoying a renaissance as many have discovered that its ideas and techniques provide meaningful pathways in life. Please join Rabbi Rosen to learn more about this spiritual practice and dive into the Jewish world of character building, personal ethics, and communal responsibility. Click in to register! -
Friday ,
MayMay 2 , 2025
Friday, May 2nd 7:15p to 9:00p
Join us for a community Shabbat dinner in celebration of Israel and Yom Ha'atzmaut! Click in to register! -
Saturday ,
MayMay 3 , 2025Bat Mitzvah of Michalina Federman
Shabbat, May 3rd 4:30p to 5:30p
-
Wednesday ,
MayMay 7 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, May 7th 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.
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