Welcoming Interfaith Families
Welcoming Interfaith Families
We welcome interfaith couples and families into our community and encourage their active participation in all facets of synagogue life.
Some interfaith families choose to engage in a course of study towards conversion, while others are interested in learning more about Jewish practice in order to support their family’s experience. A non-Jewish parent or partner can participate in most aspects of Jewish ritual. During a baby naming or bar or bat mitzvah, the non-Jewish parent traditionally joins their spouse and child on the bimah and is honored by the congregation. The non-Jewish parent may also deliver an English reading as part of the bar or bat mitzvah service. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in Beth El committee life and social action projects.
Raising Jewish Children
Beth El is a partner in the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Mother’s Circle program, which provides resources, support and education recognizing and assisting mothers of interfaith backgrounds who are raising Jewish children.
Beth El's clergy, staff and community are very much interested in helping you feel at home in our congregation. Please contact our office to make an appointment for a visit! Our team can be reached at: (860) 233-9696.
Sun, June 15 2025
19 Sivan 5785
Upcoming Events
All Events
-
Tuesday ,
JunJune 17 , 2025Beer Night at the Thomas Hooker Brewery
Tuesday, Jun 17th 7:00p to 10:00p
Join Beth El Temple’s Men Club in an evening at Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield. Enjoy beer and wine, learn about the brewing process from a great local brewery, and connect with fellow members of the community. Each ticket includes a drink of your choice as well as pizza. You do not have to be a Men’s Club member to attend! Tickets are limited, so click in to sign up ASAP. All guests must be 21+. -
Wednesday ,
JunJune 18 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Jun 18th 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. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jul 12th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Jul 25th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register!
Sun, June 15 2025 19 Sivan 5785
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
All Events
-
Tuesday ,
JunJune 17 , 2025Beer Night at the Thomas Hooker Brewery
Tuesday, Jun 17th 7:00p to 10:00p
Join Beth El Temple’s Men Club in an evening at Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield. Enjoy beer and wine, learn about the brewing process from a great local brewery, and connect with fellow members of the community. Each ticket includes a drink of your choice as well as pizza. You do not have to be a Men’s Club member to attend! Tickets are limited, so click in to sign up ASAP. All guests must be 21+. -
Wednesday ,
JunJune 18 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Jun 18th 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. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jul 12th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Jul 25th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register!
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