About Beth Shalom
Pride in our growth Jewish Education Long-Range Planning Join us!
At Beth Shalom we are proud that when people ask "Are you a Reform, Conservative or Orthodox congregation," the answer is not a simple one. We welcome all Jews: observant and non-observant, from all backgrounds; interfaith couples, singles and Jews by choice. We take pride in creating a Jewish environment where all can feel at home. We are a congregation in which men and women participate as equals in prayer, ritual celebration and congregational policy making.
We have a strong commitment both to tradition and to the search for contemporary meaning. Our Friday night services are informal and warm, with exuberant singing, where adults and children participate and feel welcome. Our regular Saturday morning minyan is more traditional, featuring full Torah and Haftorah readings. Jewish Renewal services meet monthly on Shabbat morning.
Three decades after its birth, Beth Shalom provides an intellectual and spiritual home for many who are searching for a meaningful Jewish life.
Pride in our growth
In May, 1995, a major addition to the Beth Shalom building was dedicated, providing new classrooms for the religious school, a greatly expanded social hall, a new library, and additional office space. Our building addition was necessitated by continued growth, a long way from the handful of families who met in the late 1950's to form a religious school. The synagogue was incorporated in 1965, and by 1971 Beth Shalom had enough members to erect our first building on the present site. A sanctuary was added in 1983. Today we have more than 150 households as members, with some 95 children enrolled in our religious school and youth programs.
Rabbi Mira Wasserman has served as rabbi of Beth Shalom since August 1998. An ordinee of the Hebrew Union College, she also pursued Jewish studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary and at the Hebrew University. Rabbi Wasserman's teaching of torah and Judaism is stimulating in the sanctuary, in the classroom, and with congregants of all ages. As spiritual leader, she is a warm presence at Shabbat and holiday services, where she offers messages that are meaningful and engaging. Rabbi Wasserman counsels congregants at every stage of life, and at every juncture in their Jewish journeys. In partnership with our lay leadership, our rabbi nourishes Beth Shalom's growth as a caring community, and as a center for worship, learning, and social action.
Jewish Education
Beth Shalom is a community where knowledge is shared, and a desire to learn is nurtured. Students find their place in history, within their families and within themselves. The rhythm of Jewish life is taught through the holidays and the structure of services and prayer. Students become comfortable and identify strongly with Hebrew as our own special language. The concepts of justice and social responsibility are reinforced through hands-on activities that promote ethical behavior in our children. At Beth Shalom we provide a strong sense of Jewish identity beginning in preschool and never ending.
Preschool through 2nd Grade: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Grades 3 through 7: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. & Wednesday 4-5:45 p.m.
Grade 8: Sunday for 2 hours
A Confirmation/high school class also meets once per week at the discretion of the teacher, by arrangement with the class. Students continue study beyond confirmation, which is celebrated at the end of 10th grade.
Jewish education continues at Beth Shalom through our Adult Education Programs. Adults of all ages and levels of understanding gather and share the wealth of an intellectually rich community. From discussion groups, to Hebrew classes, from Torah study to movie watching and Jewish arts, there are many ways to continue, or to begin, your Jewish education comfortably.
We have formed Gan Shalom, the Beth Shalom Preschool, in order to provide a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment for preschool children in our community. In this atmosphere, we will seek to enhance children's sense of wonder and empathy, develop communication and learning skills, promote positive self-image and engender trust in peers and caregivers. Following the rhythms of the Jewish calendar the program will immerse children in Jewish culture, songs and language, and foster their connection with Jewish traditions and values.
Join us!
We invite all Jews in south central Indiana to become members of Beth Shalom. Membership means you are part of our family. Beth Shalom has a membership pledge structure which is flexible and accommodating, including a reduced pledge for full-time students. No one is denied membership because of financial circumstance.
For more information about our congregation or membership, please contact the Beth Shalom office.
Long-Range planning
You can read the report of the Long-Range Planning Committee here.