Membership Renewal

June 17, 2026

It has been an energetic and dynamic past membership year at Temple Beth El. Thanks to your generous support, we have so much to celebrate, from highly attended services and events to a deeper connection across all ages. Moreover, this past year offered an exciting preview of the continued growth ahead of us as we enter into our 79th year as a synagogue. Here are some of this past year’s highlights:

In the last year, 27 new households have joined, many of them young families drawn to Kadima Beth El (KBE), our Hebrew school, where enrollment is up 20%. At the May Family Shabbat and Community Dinner, 85 people gathered for Kabbalat Shabbat services led by Rabbi Simmons and our KBE fourth graders and then shared conversation and laughter over a delicious dinner. Even if you don’t have little ones at home, please come to experience these beautiful Friday evenings.

Shabbat and Holiday attendance is growing. After standing-room-only crowds at several High Holiday services this past fall, we are looking into ways to make more room for everyone—a wonderful challenge to solve! Outside of the High Holidays, it is now typical for 20+ to gather on Friday evenings for Shabbat and on chol hamoed, the intermediate days of Festivals like Sukkot and Pesach. We also see strong attendance on Shabbat morning. Beyond the numbers, this trend points to our community prioritizing connection with one another and with our ancient traditions.

In the spirit of Tikkun Olam (healing the world), TBE has supported our wider community in multiple ways. For over a year, TBE’s Shalom Community Park has provided the only public playspace for children in our neighborhood. When critical food programs like SNAP faced cuts, TBE responded generously by raising money for food cards and coming together through our Stock the Freezers initiative to cook single-serving vegetarian kosher meals to those in need.

We celebrate the upcoming one-year anniversary of Rabbi Rachel Simmons. Rabbi Simmons’ engaging teaching and davening, inspiring leadership, and authentic care for members and the wider community have been a gift that builds on the wonderful work of Rabbi Emerita Carolyn Braun and former Interim Rabbi Hannah Estrin. Rabbi Simmons continues to be thrilled to serve TBE and looks forward to another year together!

We are incredibly grateful to our staff and volunteers, who have guided us through the last two years of transition. We want to particularly recognize our staff members, Grace Kellar-Long and Sadie Stewart, as well as our Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and various search committees. TBE is now in a stronger position thanks to their increased time commitment and dedication to our community.

Renewing your TBE membership is more than a financial decision—it is a statement of values and support for this community and its mission. It is renewing your place in our kehilah, our sacred community. Inviting all to belong is precisely why we do not have set membership fees. So the ask is simple: please be as generous as you can. For some, it is a season to step up giving; for others, to sustain or reduce it. Either way, you belong at TBE and your generosity breathes life into all we do b’yachad, together.

With deep appreciation,