The Experience of a Lifetime — Jewish summer camp is an important part of our Jewish lives. Research indicates that attending a Jewish summer camp is a key factor in the creation of a Jewish identity.
We are fortunate to be located near several outstanding Jewish camps. We hope you will consider sending your child(ren) to one of these camps.
Community
Community
Community
Congregation Beth Am's warm and welcoming community offers something for everyone! Whether you want to engage with others in learning, worship, or social justice activities, a benefit of our large congregation is our ability to offer myriad small-group activities to help you grow and connect.
Read moreFinding points of connection strengthens our community experience on Shabbat, on the High Holy Days, and whenever our congregation comes together to celebrate, to comfort, or to contemplate our past, present and future.
Please browse the links to our various community groups. Our staff is happy to make introductions, to help make connections or to help start a new group if your interest is not yet represented. Making the effort will ensure that Beth Am becomes your home away from home -- the place where there's always a friend to sit with, the place where everybody knows your name. Welcome!
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Hamantashen, groggers and costumes, oh my! — It's that time of year again time! Time to put on your costumes and dig out your groggers. Get ready for a week of festivity and laughter as we celebrate Purim the Beth Am way!
Supporting our Sister Congregation in Ukraine — In Ukraine, it's not easy being Jewish, and it's not easy being a Reform Jew. Discrimination is rampant, and funds are almost non-existent. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated leader Cherie Half and many Beth Am members, our sister community in Poltava is nourishing its members who are seeking to rediscover their Judaism. We welcome your donations to this fund that helps us carry out our vision of tikkun olam.
Agam Sculpture Donated to Beth Am — You may have noticed that something shiny and beautiful has appeared in the greenery off our social hall patio recently! It's called "Double Life Menorah" and it is a unique stainless steel sculpture by renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam.
Special Thank You to Our Legacy Donors — As a special thank you to all our legacy donors, the Be'eri Moalem String Trio performed a concert of classical and Jewish pieces, including the world premiere of a new composition by violist Be'eri Moalem.
Next Oneg Israel is in March — The Israel Awareness Committee welcomes you to our next "armchair trip" to Israel. Come with your family to the Social Hall after the service, help yourself to a delicious Israeli-style supper, and enjoy a wonderful cultural program.
This month’s Oneg Israel will feature two episodes from the Israeli TV series Srugim, an Israeli television true-to-life, nuanced portrayal of young adults in the Modern-Orthodox community. RSVP no later than February 27 to Judith Rabbie.
Visit the Homeland — Get ready for the summer of your life! Spend an amazing month in Israel with Reform Jewish teens from all over the United States.
Sail on the Sea of Galilee. Hike the hills of the Golan Heights. Hang out on the beach in Tel Aviv. Enjoy the most beautiful Shabbat you can imagine in the holy city of Jerusalem. This trip is open to all teenagers entering their junior or senior year of high school in Fall 2012.
It was standing room only in the Beth Am sanctuary for the Annual Campaign "thank you" celebration "Yiddishkayt: Jewish Composers from the Lower East Side to Broadway." Our community came together to celebrate a successful Annual Campaign that raised $167,000, while helping to launch cantorial soloist Heather Klein's new Yiddish CD. With Cantor Lauren, Heather took the audience on a musical Jewish journey from tears to laughter. Thank you to our wonderful community for making Beth Am such a special place!
Various Dates and Locations in February
Émigré events in February include Torah Study in Russian (2/4 & 2/18); Jewish History on Russian (2/16); My Jewish Discovery (2/18); Raising Jewish Children (2/18 and 2/25); Gan Haggim (2/19); and Biblical Characters in World Art (2/25).
June 8 to 10, Big Basin State Park, Santa Cruz Mountains
This year, Beth Am campers will be going to Big Basin State Park in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. Community in nature - it doesn't get better than that. For more information, please email Greg Marcus.
Thursday, February 23, 7:30 pm, Conference Room
Rosh Chodesh with Rabbi Sarah Wolf — The Book of Esther, one of only two biblical books named for women, reveals two compelling female figures, Esther and Vashti. During this pre-Purim Rosh Chodesh celebration, participants will explore what the book has to say about being a woman and a Jew, and determine what lasting lessons the story has for Jewish women today.
February 24, 6:00 p.m.; March 2, 7:30 p.m.; April 21, 7:30 p.m.; May 5, 9:30 a.m.; June 8, 6:15 p.m., Various Locations
Celebrate Shabbat with Young Jews from Around the Bay Area — Looking for a fun and meaningful way to share Shabbat with other young adults from the South Bay and Peninsula? Join us for "Shabbat Hop," a collaborative effort of local synagogues and Jewish communal organizations, with a monthly Shabbat experience "hopping" from one synagogue to another.
Friday, February 24, 6:15 pm, Sanctuary
Join 6th-8th grade students for an evening of fun and dinner — All 6th - 8th graders are invited to spend Shabbat together at Beth Am. We'll attend the Shabbat service together, then head over to Rooms 5 and 6 to enjoy a delicious meal, followed by fun and games. It's going to be a MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA NIGHT! RSVP to Erin by Wednesday, February 22. You don't want to miss this!
Sunday, February 26, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Beit Kehillah
Chai Lights, the 60+ Senior Group: Providing Entertaining, Informative and Fun Events for Seniors — David Green is President/CEO of Contra Costa Federal Credit Union, a $590 million credit union headquartered in Martinez, California and now serves as the Audit committee Chair of the California Credit Union League, where he was a featured expert in the 2011 documentary, "Heist: Who Stole the American Dream." Includes noshing and shmoozing, of course! Admission: $5 at the door. Please pay with cash or check made payable to "Congregation Beth Am."
Tuesday, February 28, 8:00 am to 9:30 am, Hobee's, 4224 El Camino Real, near Arastradero Rd
Start your morning with breakfast and a lively discussion with your fellow Beth Am men in the Hobee's meeting room. Rabbi Prosnit will lead our discussion. Contact Jay Hirsh for more information. RSVP online.
Tuesday, February 28, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, BATY Room
Fun for middle school students before class — Beth Am Junior Youth (BAJY) hosts a monthly hangout session before Tuesday Night Program (TNP) on the last Tuesday of each month. Relax and enjoy snacks, drinks and games before class starts. The event is free and there is no need to RSVP, so there is no excuse to miss out on the fun!
Wednesday, February 29, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, BATY Room
Take a Break with BATY — If you feel as if you have no downtime during the week, schedule in a BATY Hang-Out sesh. Food, friends and a break from the week await. No need to RSVP and it's FREE. Upcoming BATY Hang Out Dates:
March 28
April 25
May 23
Remember that ALL participants of the Avodah! program are invited to ALL BATY and BAJY events. For more information about events for 9th to 12th graders, please check out the BATY website and the BATY Shul-in!
Friday, March 2, 5:00 pm, Rooms 5 and 6
Celebrate with Family and Fun — Join together for an informal Shabbat celebration. Rabbi Rosenwasser will lead singing for families with children ages 0-5 years to celebrate Shabbat together, including a delicious dinner! RSVP to the Education Office, (650) 493-4665 by Thursday, March 1, so we know how much food to order.
Friday, March 2, following the Tizmoret Service, Social Hall
Beth Am's Israel Awareness Committee invites you to enjoy Oneg Israel, featuring an Israeli-style supper and two episodes of the Israeli television drama Srugim. RSVP by February 27 to Judith Rabbie. Your contribution to the dinner is very much appreciated, and allows Beth Am to continue offering these cultural programs. Please send your donation to Congregation Beth Am with a note “for Oneg Israel.”
Thursday, March 8; Sunday, March 11, Social Hall and Patio
for Beth Am Purim Shpiel and Carnival — BAM will once again be tending bar at the adult Purim event on March 8 and cooking hot dogs on the morning of the Purim carnival on March 11. Volunteering is an easy and a fun way to meet other Beth Am members. If you are willing to help organize or participate, please contact Jay Hirsh.
Thursday, March 8, 7:00 pm, Social Hall
Woohoo! — Come shake your groggers! It's time to celebrate Purim the Beth Am way (for adults ages 21 and over only). Come in costume and be ready for a raucous time
Saturday, March 10, 4 p.m., Beit Kehillah
with Dr. Alon Tal, speaking on "Israel's Environmental and Social Crisis: Promise and Prospects for Green Politics in Israel" — Beth Am's Israel Awareness Committee invites you to the grand opening of Café Israel with guest speaker Dr. Alon Tal.
Sunday, March 11, 11:00 am, Sanctuary
Celebrate Esther and Mordechai! — Share in the magic of Purim as we celebrate with an entertaining shpiel and carnival for kids of all ages.
Friday, March 16
For Students from the Bay Area - Even if You Attend College Elsewhere — Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) is proud to announce that the Kohn Summer Institute Program is recruiting for its 27th cohort! This program is an exciting internship opportunity for students interested in working in and exploring the Jewish community.
Sunday, March 25, 2012, 9 -11:15 a.m., Beit Kehillah
Sponsored by the Interfaith Outreach Committee — The Interfaith Outreach Committee is excited to present a morning of learning and sharing about topics related to interfaith families. Beth Am clergy Rabbis Wolf and Marder will be joined by Dawn Kepler, Director of Building Jewish Bridges: Embracing Interfaith Families. The conference is free of charge, but please RSVP to Rabbi Sarah by Thursday, March 22.
Sunday, March 25, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Dana Center, Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Beth Am Women hosts the first-ever Creative Salon for Women, located just 15 minutes away in Los Altos Hills. Choose from over a dozen hands-on workshops designed to inspire women of all ages, interests and abilities. Creative projects will range from poetry, art and drama to fashion, jewelry making, nature's inspiration and outside-the-box thinking games. Express yourself, learn something new, follow your imagination as you make new friends, discover hidden talents and relax among the trees at nearby Hidden Villa.
Saturday, April 21, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary
Annual Gala Concert and Silent Auction — It's the biggest community event of the year, Bella Notte! This annual gala concert of cantors and members showcases our talented congregants while raising funds to support our programs and scholarships. T
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Congregation Beth Am • 26790 Arastradero Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 • (650) 493-4661 • Contact Us 