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.
Rabbi Linda's Blog: Welcoming Joy
August 2023
“Happy Yom Kippur” is not a phrase that rolls off the tongue. We wish each other an easy fast or a meaningful day, and these are appropriate salutations. Yet contrary to popular belief, Yom Kippur has been understood as one of the most joyful days on our Jewish calendar. The Talmud teaches that it is deeply joyful as it contains the elements of pardon and forgiveness. It is a day where we can feel the joy that accompanies cleansing our souls, repairing and letting go of mistakes, and renewing our good intentions and commitments. It turns out that joy, simcha in Hebrew, is a deep Jewish value.
Sukkot, following on the heels of Yom Kippur, is referred to as the season of our rejoicing. The simcha of Sukkot comes through connecting with others (hospitality), embracing nature and simplicity, and through practicing gratitude and generosity. Ironically, we are led to simcha by embracing the challenging existential truths of impermanence and vulnerability through our days in the sukkah...
Tot Shabbat is Going Strong
Since last fall we’ve met on the 2nd Friday of every month, coming together to sing, color, play, eat, tell stories and celebrate Shabbat together as a community.
Over the past 6 months we’ve had 30 families participate, with about 5‐7 families per month.
Many thanks to our adult and teen volunteers, who make it all possible: Gabrielle Rosenthal, Randi Raskin‐Nash, Lynn Cashell, Elaine Feldman, Dina Jacobs and Emma Wilson, Alisa Herman‐Liu, Kathy Trow, Alan Ross. And of course Rabbi Nathan and Rabbi Linda. Special thanks to Aya Baron who led blessings and a story at our March Tot Shabbat.
If you’d like to attend or help out at a future Tot Shabbat please reach out to Jackie Gelman.
Upcoming dates: 9/8, 10/13.
Rabbi Nathan's Blog: A Seder for the New Year?
August 2023
There is an interesting energy around the observance of Rosh Hashanah. One the one hand this is clearly a moment of solemnity, of “Yom Ha-Din,” the Day of Judgment, where we find ourselves at the beginning of the aseret yemei teshuva, the ten days of repentance, when we recommit to the work of healing rifts in our relationships and becoming our better selves.
Relatedly, Rosh Hashanah, is also historically understood as a divine coronation ceremony — shofar “trumpets” and all —when at one of our most sacred calendrical moments of the 1st day of the 7th month (7 being a sacred number in Judaism), God assumes sovereignty and begins “ruling” for another cycle of the year. (The ancient Babylonians had a similar coronation festival at the same time!).
But there is also another aspect of Rosh Hashanah that is more celebratory. It is the holiday of “hayom harat olam,” today the world is born...
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