Core Values/Mission Statement

Founded in 1945 by a small group of Berkeley families, many of whom traced their roots to Eastern and Western Europe, Congregation Beth El is a liberal, Reform congregation committed to building and sustaining a caring synagogue community by:

• Welcoming Jews of all backgrounds (ages, abilities, race, ethnicity, sexual and gender orientation, and differences in observance) and their families, and involving them in creating a sacred community, kehillah kedoshah;

• Encouraging innovation to sustain Jewish spiritual life while honoring Jewish traditions and respecting the diversity of Jewish practice, avodah;

• Celebrating the diversity of our members and community with the belief that each person is made in God’s image, b'tzelem Elohim;

• Encouraging the study of Torah as part of lifelong Jewish learning, talmud Torah;

• Pursuing social action and working for social justice, tikkun olam;

• Nurturing children, youth, and families through formal and informal education, v’shinantam l’vanecha;

• Engaging in respectful dialogue about Israel as part of our commitment to the people, land and State of Israel, Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael