Virtual Shabbat Box
This Virtual Shabbat Box from the Reconstructionist Movement holds wonderful resources to help you celebrate.
Adult Education
We believe that Jewish learning is a lifelong journey. Join us for classes on Torah, Hebrew, finding your way in our ever-changing world, and much more!
Join Us In Prayer
We offer a participatory, inclusive, and vibrant community exploring Jewish life with dedication, warmth and enthusiasm.
Social Action
We believe in living our values. Join us in Social Action activities to Heal the World (Tikkun Olam). Scroll down or click here for Social Action news and events.
A Strong Jewish Education
We encourage each student to deepen and expand their Jewish knowledge in ways that are meaningful to them.
Rent Space at Beth Israel
Beth Israel now offers space for rent. We have spaces to accommodate groups large and small. Call us at 610-566-4645 or click on the button below.
High Holy Days 2022 at Beth Israel
Beginning on Rosh Chodesh Elul (August 28) the blasts of the shofar will herald the new year and call us to the task of looking inward as we prepare to do teshuvah – to repent, to return, to make positive change. Our services during these Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im) gather the entire community together to engage with this important spiritual work.
A Better Start for Babies is Launching
The Social Action Committee is launching its third annual ABSB ("A Better Start for Babies") project to benefit newborn babies cared for at ChesPenn, a federally qualified healthcare center in Chester. Many of the mothers have no money, no insurance, and no support. Some are immigrants.
The committee requests necessary items, as determined by the pediatricians, to be given to the mothers. Requested items include diapers and wipes, bottles, diaper cream, clothing and healthcare items. Last year, colorful bags containing these items were presented to 73 mothers of newborn babies. We hope to put together double that number of bags this year, in order that they will be available for the full year.
Rabbi Linda's Blog: Where Study Leads: BI's Spring/Summer Antiracism Offerings
May/June 2022
Between the festivals of Passover & Shavuot the Jewish people study a text filled with practical wisdom for life called “Pirkei Avot”, known in English as Ethics (or Chapters) of the Ancestors. One offering from this text (3:12) translates Anyone whose good deeds exceed their wisdom, their wisdom will endure. And anyone whose wisdom exceeds their good deeds, their wisdom will not endure. To paraphrase, deeds are more important than wisdom
Elsewhere in rabbinic texts we find a different perspective: In the Talmud (Kiddushin 40b) we read of a debate that took place 1,500 years ago about which is greater, the study of Torah or its practice. R. Tarfon said practice was greater. R. Akiva said study is greater because it leads to practice. The majority went with R. Akiva. Why might they have come to that conclusion and how does that inform our antiracism work?
Since our antiracism summit in January several subgroups have been working at BI on areas of practice and areas of learning. Beginning this month, the Adult Education Committee will be sending out a learning module every 3 weeks...
From the Rosh Chodesh Group
May/June 2022
Rosh Chodesh, the monthly holiday marking the new moon, has traditionally been identified with women through midrash and folk belief. Stories circulated about the special right of Jewish women to observe this holiday in recognition of their noble behavior when the Golden Calf was erected and worshipped. (Excerpt from Miriam's Well by Penina V. Adelman)
Psalm 137 says, "As a reward (for the women's refusal to participate in the making of the Golden Calf), God gave the new moons as holidays to women, and in the future world too they will be rewarded for their firm faith in God, in that, like the new moons, they, too, may monthly be rejuvenated."
At Beth Israel, we mark Rosh Chodesh with special prayers and blessings, and a group of women gather for food and conversation. For the past 25 years, our group traditionally met in each other's homes, bringing a potluck lunch, and sharing teachings based on the Torah, current holiday, or something of interest to women in our time. Due to the pandemic, we met on Zoom, and in the nice weather, gathered outside at Beth Israel...
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