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Welcome to Congregation Beth Israel of Media - ברוכים הבאים

We are a Reconstructionist congregation in Media, Pennsylvania. We strive to inspire and educate our members, providing them with a warm and nurturing community. We engage in Jewish learning, share in tikkun olam (repairing the world), and enjoy memorable social events.

To ensure the health and safety of our congregation and guests during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some of our activities are online, and we also meet in person regularly and safely:

  • Shabbat and weekday services:  Join us for a brief morning service Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 AM (about a half-hour on zoom), and for Shabbat evening and morning services (in person and on zoom, schedule depending). This is a time for reflection, spiritual practice, and community. Schedules and meeting links will be sent to Beth Israel members, or click here to request the link.
  • Daily Jewish learning: We are offering a variety of on-line learning opportunities during the pandemic which we are noting on our daily and weekly emails. For more information about learning opportunities, please contact our Office Manager Mikayla Losanowych here.
  • Above all, stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch (virtually) with your friends and loved ones.
  • High Holy Days 2022 at Beth Israel: please find more information here.

Virtual Shabbat Box

Virtual Shabbat Box

This Virtual Shabbat Box from the Reconstructionist Movement holds wonderful resources to help you celebrate.

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Adult Education

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!

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Join Us In Prayer

We offer a participatory, inclusive, and vibrant community exploring Jewish life with dedication, warmth and enthusiasm.

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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.

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A Strong Jewish Education

We encourage each student to deepen and expand their Jewish knowledge in ways that are meaningful to them.

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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.

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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 Closing in on Success

The Social Action Committee is meeting its goals for the 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.  

 In 2022 we were able to double our first year's donations to create 73 bags, which provided supplies for about half the newborns and their mothers who came to the clinic. In February 2023 we delivered over 90 bags in our first wave, and we hope to get to 150 bags or more by the time we're done, so every mother over the course of the year can get one.  We are accomplishing this with the help of Congregation Ohev Shalom in Wallingford and Congregation Beth El-Ner Tamid in Broomall. 

 

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...

Hebrew School News

START A LIFETIME OF JEWISH LEARNING AT OUR HEBREW SCHOOL!

Looking for a vibrant Hebrew School?  Check out what our school has to offer.

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Adult Education

 

Judaism is a religion and also a civilization encompassing history, literature, and culture. Join us to explore our shared past and our communal experience of worship, study and celebration.

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Join SAC and Anti-Racism Coordinating Committee for "Just Mercy" on March 25, 2023

 

 

 

The Social Action Committee is partnering with the ARCC to screen and discuss "Just Mercy" at BI on Saturday, March 25th. Please join us!

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Sun, March 26 2023 4 Nisan 5783