Join Our Community

Membership at Temple Beth El is about connection, not dues. As an inclusive synagogue, we welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds who seek a vibrant Jewish life rooted in tradition, learning, and community. Whatever your relationship to Judaism and Jewish journey, we’d love to welcome you.

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Looking to join a vibrant,

eclectic Jewish community?

You've come to the right place! We are thrilled that you want to make TBE your spiritual home in Portland and can't wait to get to know you.

Join Now
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What Does Membership Mean?

Membership means having a community, a spiritual home, and a rabbi to call your own. As members we are there for others, and others are there for us as we celebrate, grow, grieve, and pray. We fall out of touch, and we fall back in touch. We learn from each other, we feed each other, and we accept each other.


Members are also eligible for discounts on religious school tuition, cemetery plots, and special events. Any person or family who has a Jewish identity or seeks to develop one is warmly invited to add a square to our patchwork.

Meet Our Members Meet Our Members

What to Expect When You Join

We are pretty proud of our membership process: it's straightforward, efficient, and personal. The intention is to get to know each member upon their joining so we can help connect you with other folks in the community.


Here's how it works:

  1. Head over to our Membership Form, fill it out, and submit. Mazel tov and bruchim ha'baim (welcome)!
  2. Once we receive your membership form, we will be in touch to either set up a meeting or finish collecting information over email (based on your preference indicated on the form). The meeting will be with Rabbi Estrin, and Office and Communications Manager Grace Kellar-Long, with the option of having Kadima Beth El Director Shane Van Vliet join us. The goal of the meeting includes completing any information that we may still need, finding out what you are interested in, and just getting to know you better!
  3. After the conversation, we will reach out to go over dues payment and collect any yahrzeit (memorial) observances you may have.
  4. A TBE member will reach out to welcome you to the community and set up a time to deliver a new member bag.
  5. That's all! We're so excited that you chose TBE to be your spiritual and Jewish home here in Portland, Maine.

Voluntary Annual Contribution

Consistent with our core value of egalitarianism, Temple Beth El was one of the first synagogues in the country to adopt a funding model based on voluntary annual support, as opposed to compulsory dues. Our policy:


Financial limitations should never be a barrier to membership at Temple Beth El. Members are encouraged to make an annual contribution that supports the community to the best of their ability.


In order to operate our 21,000 square foot facility; offer a full range of services, programs, and life cycle events; and provide high quality Jewish education, the actual cost per member household is $3,000 for 2024/25. We understand that some will not be able to contribute at that level, and it is our hope that others will consider contributing beyond that amount. In this way, we can ensure that TBE will continue to be a vibrant home for Jewish life that welcomes all. 


If you have any questions, please reach out to the office at office@tbemaine.org or at (207) 774-2649. We would be happy to talk about this.


Your generosity is deeply appreciated. Todah rabah (thank you)!


Note: Our membership year begins in July with our fiscal year. You can certainly join TBE at any time of the year, but note that if you join between October 31 and June 30th, your dues will be pro-rated based on the amount of time that is left in the current fiscal year, and you will receive a bill for the full amount of your annual dues commitment the following July.

Note: Our membership year begins in July with our fiscal year. You can certainly join Temple Beth El at any time, but note that if you join between October 31 and June 30th, your dues will be prorated based on the amount of time that is left in the current fiscal year,; you will then receive a bill for the full amount of your annual dues commitment the following July.

Ready to join?

Ready to join?

TBE Membership Form TBE Membership Form