What We Do: Activities

We offer a range of programs to accommodate the needs and interests of our diverse community. We encourage members to become involved in ways that are comfortable and stimulating for them.

• Social Events
• Family Education
• Adult Education
• Beth Israel Music Appreciation Society (BIMAS)
• Klezmateens
• Rosh Chodesh Group
• No'ar Hadash-Beth Israel Youth Group
• Homeless Feeding Project -Next Service-May 29, 2006-NEW
• More Social Action Projects
• Torah Learning
• Har Jehuda Cemetary & Mausoleum

Social Events

Throughout the year, there are a range of social events to bring members of the community together in an informal, fun setting. Check the events page often, or contact Deborah Dymond Markman for more information.

Family Education

To encourage understanding of Jewish practice, promote observance of Shabbat and build community, we have developed a comprehensive program for parents and children. The curriculum incorporates parallel and joint study and hands-on activities. Contact Principal Helene Cohen for more information.

Adult Education

Many course offerings and special programs for 2005/2006 (5765). Contact Marilyn Verbits or our secretary, Arlene Benz for more information.

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Beth Israel Music Appreciation Society (BIMAS)

Open to every congregant post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah age with a musical interest, this performing group sings and plays instruments ranging from cellos to guitars to African drums. The group performs religious and Klezmer music at religious services, special synagogue events and by request at Bar/Bat Mitzvah services. Contact Selene Platt for more information on joining BIMAS or having BIMAS play at your simcha.

Klezamateens

This teen Klezmer group welcomes all BI teens and pre-teens in grades 6-12 who have played an instrument for at least two years.  It focuses on Klezmer music, performing at special synagogue events. Contact Louis Friedler for more information.

Rosh Chodesh Group

Meetings, which commemorate the new Hebrew months, are held in members' homes and are open to all women of the congregation. Discussions involve the significance of the month, holidays, themes of the season, customs and traditions.  Contact Katie Sibley for more information. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 12:30 PM at Taylor Arboretum. Please RSVP to Joyce Romoff if you intend to attend. Bring an entree, side dish or dessert you'd like to share.

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No'ar Hadash-Beth Israel Youth Group

Open to all BI youth in grades 6-8, this group involves itself in service projects, social activities, Jewish learning, and most importantly, having fun being with other Jewish kids! Contact Randy Tiffany for more information!

Homeless Feeding Project

Organized by our Social Action Committee, our congregation provides and serves meals several times a year to folks at the Upper Darby Life Shelter. Volunteers are welcome to prepare and serve food.  Contact Susan Klein and Stuart Pittel for more information.

On Monday, May 29, 2006 . Beth Israel will once again be serving dinner at the Upper Darby Life Center. Everyone in the congregation is invited and encouraged to join in. As a reminder, here's the way it works.

Congregants prepare either a salad, an entrée (often a chicken or pasta dish), a vegetable or a dessert. The item should be delivered to the synagogue parking lot between 5:45 PM and 6:10 PM in a 9 x 13 inch aluminum pan. Tin tops are helpful as they prevent leakage. Those items that are to be served warm should be brought to the synagogue recently heated, since there are very limited facilities to warm things at the Shelter. We then transport the foods, etc, to the Shelter and serve the meals (usually between 150 and 250). We like to have roughly 10-12 servers, typically including both adults and post Bar or Bat Mitzvah teens.

If you or someone from your family would like to help with the serving, please contact us either by e-mail, stususan@comcast.net, or by telephone, (610)891-6844.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon and seeing you on the 30th.

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More Social Action Events:

On May 16th from 4:30-6:30 pm, Beth Israel will host 40-45 children and their families from the Family Management Center in Chester. We plan to visit Linvilla Orchards. The Jewish Federation of Philadelphia is underwriting this event. We could use volunteers- especially teenagers- to help supervise the children. Anyone interested should please contact me by email.

Beth Israel continues to work with members of Ohev Shalom to read with the children of the Family Management Center daycare. We leave from the Ohev parking lot at 3:45 and return before 5:30. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact me or Fran Stier at Ohev. The next dates are: 5/4, 5/9, 5/23, 6/1, 6/6.

Torah Learning

Every adult congregant is invited to learn to read and chant Torah through small group instruction and/or individual tutoring. Our Shabbat services are enhanced by the many different voices that vocalize our Torah.

Har Jehuda Cemetary & Mausoleum

Meeting the needs of congregants' entire life cycle, Beth Israel makes it easier for members to  plan today for tomorrow's piece of mind. To find out about a final resting place in the Beth Israel section of Har Jehuda in Drexel Hill, contact Administrator Suzanne Davis for more information.

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