Note

The following information on Congregation Beth El is taken directly from the community's website at uahc.org/congs/me/me002.

History

"Congregation Beth El was established in 1982, as a Reform synagogue serving the Jews of central and 'Downeast' Maine. [They] have grown steadily since that time, with a current membership of over 140 households. While many of [their] members reside in the adjacent communities of Bangor, Brewer, Orono and Hampden, [their] geographic radius is quite large, with members to the east in Bar Harbor, the Blue Hill peninsula, and Deer Isle, south in Belfast and the mid-coast region, west in Dover-Foxcroft and Monson, and as far north as Patten.

"Beth El was founded to provide a religiously liberal alternative to the existing synagogues in Bangor (one Conservative and one Orthodox). The Bangor Jewish community has a long and venerable history, dating back to the 1850s, and both synagogues have existed for almost 100 years. By the 1980s, however, an increasing number of Jews drawn to Reform Judaism, including many intermarried families, sought to establish a different kind of synagogue. After a dozen years of worship and religious school in various locations, Beth El moved into its own building in March 1996, and currently enjoys recognition as one of Bangor's most vibrant religious institutions."

Description

"From its inception, Beth El has sought to distinguish itself by its commitment to certain values:

"Inclusiveness in Membership: [Their] members come from many different backgrounds and all walks of life. [They] are a welcoming spiritual home for those raised in the Reform tradition, as well as those with more or less traditional backgrounds. Many of [their] members are adults who are reconnecting to their spiritual heritage. A significant proportion of [their] members are intermarried couples, and individuals who have chosen to become Jewish as adults. Non-traditional families and singles are fully embraced as part of [their]congregational community. [Their] sanctuary is handicapped accessible.

"An Egalitarian Environment: Women and men are religiously equal in all respects at Beth El. All of [their] worship is gender-sensitive. In keeping with the principles of Reform Judaism, [they] recognize the Jewishness of children of either a Jewish father or mother, who are raised as Jews.

"Creativity in Worship: [Their] worship involves congregational participation. [They] do lots of singing, often with guitar, always with enthusiasm. [Their] services are characterized by warmth, and a strong sense of community. Through [their] sermons and discussions, [one] will encounter an intelligent and spiritually honest approach to Jewish tradition. [Their] prayerbook is user-friendly, including Hebrew, English, and transliteration.

"Educational Excellence: [Their] religious school program extends from Kindergarten to Confirmation in 10th Grade. [They] are proud to boast an outstanding faculty, all drawn from members of [their] congregation, most of whom are trained educators. If you visit [their] school, you'll see a flurry of activity, colorful classrooms, music and art, and high standards of Hebrew and Judaic knowledge.

"Community Involvement: Commitment to the Jewish and general community are central to [their] identity as a congregation. [Their] ongoing social action projects, such as [their] monthly work at a local soup kitchen, [their] High Holy Days food drive, and [their] annual blood drive, are unifying activities in the lives of [their] congregants. [They] have joined [their] name to causes that speak to [their] ethical heritage as Jews, and built friendships across denominational lines because of [their] shared values."

Activities and Schedule

Evening Shabbat services are held on the first, second, and third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Morning Shabbat services are held on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m.

Website

The congregation’s website offers sermons; a monthly newsletter; a scrapbook of community events; resources for Reform Judaism; and information on the congregation's child and adult education classes as well as community programs, including the soup kitchen, choir, and youth group.