Beth El Temple of West Hartford

Welcome To Beth El Temple!

Learning

We enjoy and encourage all levels of learning, from our youngest members to our lifelong learners. Discover ways to grow in your faith with us.

Mitzvot

We are cooking, planting, knitting and donating our way to a better world. See how you can join us in making an impact today.

Services

Discover our wide range of worship options, from traditional sanctuary services to Shabbat yoga and outdoor celebrations.

What’s Happening at Beth El Temple

SundaySun, 7 DecDecember, 2025

Breakfast Program with UConn's Ellen Herman-Kimball

Sunday, Dec 7th 9:15a to 11:15aPlease join the Men’s Club and Women’s Network for a delicious breakfast as we co-sponsor a program featuring Ellen Herman-Kimball, the coach of UCONN Women’s Volleyball.

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SaturdaySat, 13 DecDecember, 2025

Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers

Shabbat, Dec 13th 4:00p to 6:30pBack by popular demand, now expanded with a learner's service and Havdallah! Continuing from our successful summer series, we will meet once a month for a seudah shleesheet (third meal of Shabbat), and a chance to learn with our rabbis/educators about the prayers in our Siddur. New this winter, we are expanding this series to include a learner's Mincha service before, and an in-person havdallah service that will engage all the senses at the end! Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Machzor is necessary. This program is part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah Program. All are welcome to attend for part or all of the evening, whether or not you are part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah program. Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person per session or $40 for the entire series. Click in to register!

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SaturdaySat, 13 DecDecember, 2025

Who Wants S'more Havdallah

Motzei Shabbat, Dec 13th 6:00p to 7:00pFamilies with children ages 0-18 are invited to join us for Havdallah, a campfire, s'mores and singing! We hope you will join us as we mark the transition from Shabbat into the rest of the week. Please RSVP by Tuesday, December 9th at noon.

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FridayFri, 19 DecDecember, 2025

Congregational Chanukah Celebration

Friday, Dec 19th 5:30p to 8:30pAll are welcome for our Shabbat Chanukah Celebration! Come for part or all of the evening as we celebrate Shabbat and Chanukah with music, prayer, fun, and Chinese food! Schedule for the evening: 5:30pm Crudites 5:45pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:45pm Chinese Food Dinner, Chanukah Sing-a-long, and Sufganiyot! Click in to register!

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FridayFri, 9 JanJanuary, 2026

Shababa

Friday, Jan 9th 5:30p to 7:00pShababa 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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SaturdaySat, 10 JanJanuary, 2026

Havdallah and a Movie Night

Motzei Shabbat, Jan 10th 6:00p to 8:00pGlow stick havdallah? Pizza bagels and popcorn? Movie with your Beth El friends? What more could you want! Join us as we say goodbye to Shabbat and welcome the new week with a light-filled musical havdallah, dinner, and a movie. This event is geared to families with children ages 13 and under; all are welcome! Details and registration to come.

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SaturdaySat, 17 JanJanuary, 2026

Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers

Shabbat, Jan 17th 4:00p to 6:30pBack by popular demand, now expanded with a learner's service and Havdallah! Continuing from our successful summer series, we will meet once a month for a seudah shleesheet (third meal of Shabbat), and a chance to learn with our rabbis/educators about the prayers in our Siddur. New this winter, we are expanding this series to include a learner's Mincha service before, and an in-person havdallah service that will engage all the senses at the end! Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Machzor is necessary. This program is part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah Program. All are welcome to attend for part or all of the evening, whether or not you are part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah program. Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person per session or $40 for the entire series. Click in to register!

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SaturdaySat, 24 JanJanuary, 2026

Temple Trivia Throwdown

Motzei Shabbat, Jan 24th 8:00p to 11:00pJoin us Saturday, January 24th for TEMPLE TRIVIA THROWDOWN! Featuring Rob Guilmette, professional trivia master and DJ! Beth El members are welcome to invite non-members to join their teams. Tickets are $25 per person and include beer, wine and other drinks, snacks and desserts, and live entertainment. To secure your seat with early-bird pricing of $25/person, register online by January 9th at midnight.

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SundaySun, 8 FebFebruary, 2026

World Wide Wrap & Morning Minyan

Sunday, Feb 8th 9:00a to 11:30aWe invite you to join us for the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin in a special minyan service celebrating the World Wide Wrap with our Men's Club! 3rd – 7th graders will be invited to make their own set of tefillin thanks to Men's Club as part of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs's (FJMC) "Build a Pair" program.

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FridayFri, 20 FebFebruary, 2026

Shababa

Friday, Feb 20th 5:30p to 7:00pShababa 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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Community

Our inclusive family welcomes you to join us as we come together for celebrations and comfort.

EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITY

Am Yisrael Chai

Click here for ways to help, prayers for Israel, resources, and more ways to support Israel.

SULAM Field Trip to Beth El Cemetery(10 Photos)

SULAM Learners Decorating Siddur Covers(10 Photos)

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Sat, November 29 2025 9 Kislev 5786

Contact Us

Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117

(860) 233-9696
(860) 233-9892

Office Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday: 8:30am - 2:30pm

SULAM Beth El Educational Program:
(860) 233-9891

DIRECTIONS

Upcoming Events

All Events

Tuesday ,
DecDecember 2 , 2025

Screening of Technion Documentary
Tuesday, Dec 2nd 7:00p to 9:00p
The Israel Engagement Committee welcomes you to screen the new documentary about the Technion. The film tells the story of a university born from a Zionist dream that transformed into a global scientific powerhouse, narrating the Technion’s pivotal role in shaping the State of Israel, from building the nation’s infrastructure during its infancy, to defending Israel through times of war, to creating the vibrant ecosystem of scientific and technological innovation we know today. It celebrates the desire to build a better future for the Jewish people. Click in to register!
Register Now

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Wednesday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2025

Reading The Women of the Bible with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Dec 3rd 6:00p to 7:15p
Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Women's Network for an engaging class designed to explore the often-overlooked stories of women in the Hebrew Bible. Together, we’ll uncover their voices, examine their choices, and consider what their lives teach us today. Through discussion, learning, and shared reflection, this class offers a chance to connect more deeply with our tradition—and with one another. 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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Friday ,
DecDecember 5 , 2025

Junior Congregation
Friday, Dec 5th 5:30p to 6:30p
All are welcome at this special Shabbat service for pre-b’nei mitzvah learners and their families. Sign up to lead a portion of the service! Junior Congregation focuses on prayer leadership and is an excellent opportunity to put our learners’ hard work and study into practice. All students are invited to lead, with pre-b’nei mitzvah learners leading prayers throughout the service, and post-b’nei mitzvah students chanting Torah or Haftarah.
Register Now

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Sunday ,
DecDecember 7 , 2025

Breakfast Program with UConn's Ellen Herman-Kimball
Sunday, Dec 7th 9:15a to 11:15a
Please join the Men’s Club and Women’s Network for a delicious breakfast as we co-sponsor a program featuring Ellen Herman-Kimball, the coach of UCONN Women’s Volleyball.
Register Now

MORE INFO