Sponsored by: Community You Can Believe In
Welcoming Interfaith Families and Celebrating Diversity
Welcoming Interfaith Families and Celebrating Diversity
Singles, couples and families with diverse backgrounds find a home at Beth El. Our goal is to help everyone feel comfortable in our synagogue, whether attending a worship service, supporting children in their religious education, socializing or playing on our softball team.
Our rabbis recognize that people are not “one size fits all” and work to help all our members on their personal journeys. We welcome interfaith and gay and lesbian singles, 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.
Grandparents Circle: How Jewish Will My Grandkids Be?
This program is designed to help Jewish grandparents of intermarried children pass their heritage on to the next generation. The series of five educational and support sessions is led by Laura Kinyon, MSW LCSW. Laura has led the highly successful Mother’s Circle program for non-Jewish women who are raising Jewish children. Grandparents Circle is presented by Beth El in conjunction with Big Tent Judaism.
Beth El Temple is a member of Big Tent Judaism (formerly known as Jewish Outreach Institute). It is a great resource, and has a wonderful website for grandparents of interfaith couples (click here).
Rabbi Rosen is very much interested in helping you feel at home in our congregation. Please call him to make an appointment: (860) 233-9696.
Mon, March 1 2021
17 Adar 5781
Upcoming Events
All Events
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Wednesday ,
MarMarch 3 , 2021America's Jewish Women: An Evening with Pamela Nadell
Wednesday, Mar 3rd 8:00p to 9:00p
Professor Pamela Nadell will celebrate Women’s History Month with us and share insights from her recent book, "America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today," which won the 2019 National Jewish Book Award—Everett Family Foundation Jewish Book of the Year. Weaving together stories from the colonial era to the present, Nadell shows two threads binding the nation's Jewish women: a strong sense of self and a resolute commitment to making the world a better place. Nadell holds the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women's and Gender History at American University where she directs the Jewish Studies Program and received the university's highest award, Scholar/Teacher of the Year. Click here to register! -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021Pre-Passover Wine Event
Sunday, Mar 7th 1:00p to 2:00p
Beth El Temple of West Hartford, alongside BSBI of Manchester, CT, and Temple Emeth of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, invite you to enjoy a beautiful tour of Tulip Winery, live from Israel at sunset! Three wines are included in the tasting, guided by Tulip's winemaker! Plus, order additional wines at SkyviewWine.com and use promo code BethEl for free shipping! Pick up your personal wine order at Beth El when you pick up your tasting wines! Plus, Skyview Wine will donate 5% of sales to Beth El Temple. Wines must be ordered by Wednesday, February 24 at 12pm. We cannot accept orders after the deadline, but you may register for the wine tour until Sunday, March 7 at 12pm. -
Monday ,
MarMarch 8 , 2021Musical Chat with Cantor Joseph Ness
Monday, Mar 8th 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). -
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 10 , 2021An Hour of Captivating Music with David Stoltz
Wednesday, Mar 10th 12:00p to 1:00p
Internationally-acclaimed bass and acoustic guitarist David Stoltz will enchant you with his eclectic mix of jazz, blues, classic rock, Broadway, Israeli music and more. His solos and duets with LeeAnn Lovelace will delight you, and to make the concert even more special, he will play a few Israeli songs with Beth El’s Cantor Joseph Ness. This event has something for everyone!
Mon, March 1 2021 17 Adar 5781