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Why Join CBH? Our mission is to create and maintain a caring, inclusive, and vibrant Jewish Reconstructionist community that is devoted to learning and to satisfying the spiritual needs of our members. We welcome you to join us for holidays, events, and programs; and we would like you to join us as members and have a role in shaping our congregation. If you are interested in learning more about what we do, contact us or just show up and join in. See what's happening this month by checking out Tikvah Talk! See What Some Of Our Members Said When Beth Hatikvah celebrated its 10th anniversary, Rabbi Amy invited congregants to write essays describing their spiritual journeys that led them to CBH. Here are a few excerpts. Jill: When I started to have children, I promised myself I was going to raise them to be good people with Jewish tradition, but I did not need the help of a synagogue. About five years ago, my oldest child, Thomas, came to me and told me that he wanted a Bar Mitzvah, and after I spent a great deal of soul searching, I began my explore congregations. I talked with rabbi after rabbi expressing my concerns, and many rabbis told me that perhaps their congregation was not for my family and me. I was quickly getting discouraged until one day I called Congregation Beth Hatikvah. After I went on and on about my dilemma, Rabbi Amy invited us to attend a Saturday morning service. Anxiously, I walked through the doors of the Meeting House and sat down and could not help thinking, "What am I doing, who am I fooling? I don't belong here." And then everyone started to walk in; there was an air of kindness and gentleness that I am not sure my words will do justice. During this Torah service, the Rabbi called for a volunteer to carry the Torah. For the first time in my life, I watched a little girl carry the Torah, and it was at that very cathartic moment that I thought, "Wow, I'm home." Mark: What makes Beth Hatikvah home? For me, it was a sense of acceptance right from the start. Never at Beth Hatikvah have I felt judged for where I live, how much I make, how I look, what I wear, what I think or what I feel. We don't just espouse them; our community truly practices the values of tolerance and acceptance. Of all the things I love about Beth Hatikvah as my spiritual and Jewish communal home, it is the warm welcoming and acceptance of its members for who they are that I treasure most. Elisa: I was in transition in my life, finding myself without a spouse or parents to care for. I took some time to ask what I needed on this new path. I belong to several community organizations, and yet I had a sense that a spiritual and expanded familial network was missing. The equation of Judaism to family was a very natural one, given my parents' Jewish values. Discovering CBH on the Internet was a very exciting find. I was looking for a new spiritual home where I could enjoy and share a renewed connection to my Jewish history-an intimate, yet dynamic congregation which would awaken my love for my own history and ritual. It was a perfect match. Sue: As half of an interfaith marriage, I have never felt questioned or judged - only accepted and appreciated for what I and my family could offer. To me, that is the essence of Beth Hatikvah and what makes it so special: it is a warm, casual, all - embracing place where you are free to be yourself. Cheryl: When my first husband died at age 32 and at the urging of a friend whose sister was a member of CBH I went to a Friday night service. I was in sore need of spiritual guidance and community support. I never thought I would be met with such an outpouring of love and support. Alice and Dan: Our membership in the congregation truly feels like we have come home. Alice and I both had limited (and negative) exposure to synagogue growing up. It is truly wonderful that both we and our children sincerely enjoy participating in and learning about the rich religious and cultural traditions that compose Judaism and the Reconstructionist movement. Read all of the journeys. |
Welcome
Congregation Beth Hatikvah is more than just a synagogue, it is a spiritual community of caring individuals. Since my family discovered CBH and joined seven years ago, it has become our Jewish home. We welcome you to join us for services and programs, and get to know our synagogue family. Please contact me if you would like to know more. I'll make sure someone is there to welcome you if you're visiting us for the first time. Susanne Robinson, |
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This page was last updated on July 1, 2010 | ||
