Read Rabbi Joshua Samuels’s blog entry, “Understanding and Protecting the Sacred Spaces of American Indians,” on the Religious Action Center’s website.
About Us
Rabbi In the News
Read Rabbi Samuels’ prescription for a “spiritual checkup” in the Aug. 26, 2013 edition of the JT News.
Contact Us
For information about Congregation Beth Israel, contact:
Main office number: (360) 733-8890
Rabbi Joshua Samuels, rabbi@bethisraelbellingham.org
Cantorial Soloist Andrea Shupack, andreashupack@gmail.com
Kesher Co-Directors Leah Bordman and Victoria Mayers, kesher@bethisraelbellingham. org
Mary Somerville, Office Administrator, office@bethisraelbellingham.org
Board President Jodi Litt, president@bethisraelbellingham.org
Privacy Policy
Congregation Beth Israel is firmly committed to maintaining the privacy of visitors to our website. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices. By using this site, you consent to the terms and conditions of this privacy policy. Congregation Beth Israel reserves the right to modify its privacy policy at any time.
Information Collection and Use
Congregation Beth Israel believes that personally identifying information, such as your name, postal and email address or telephone number, is private and confidential. You can have general access to our site without providing any personally identifying information. Congregation Beth Israel collects personally identifying information only when you voluntarily submit it, such as when you email comments, request information, place an order, register for a discussion group or an event.
Release of Information to Third Parties
Congregation Beth Israel does not release your personally identifying information to third parties, unless such release is required to comply with the law or to protect the rights or safety of Congregation Beth Israel or our website users. Collected information will not be sold, shared with, or rented to, any outside company or organization. Information that is collected will be used solely for the purpose for which it is given.
Members Only
The members-only section of our site will require unique identifiers (sign-ons and passwords), which will be issued by Congregation Beth Israel.
Links to Other Sites
Our website contains links to other sites. Congregation Beth Israel is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of other any other website.
Public Forums
Congregation Beth Israel may sponsor discussion groups for our members and other interested parties. These discussion groups are a free service to enable members to share comments about a wide variety of topics. Only individuals older than 13 years of age may participate, and by participating you are certifying that you are old enough to participate. We ask that participants refrain from including profanity, obscenities, hateful, and/or defamatory language. Congregation Beth Israel does review items before they are posted and reserves the right to remove any information posted. Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information, and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REMOVE ANYONE FROM THE LIST WHO VIOLATES THESE PROCEDURES.
Photographs
No photograph will be posted on this website without prior permission of identifiable persons. Names will only be used with permission.
Contacting the Webmaster
All information on this website is the property of Congregation Beth Israel, excluding material attributed to or hyperlinked to external sites, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the congregation. To request such permission, contact the webmaster.
Choice/Opt-Out, Correct/Update: To remove information from our database and to be excluded from future communications, to change or modify information previously provided, or for information about this privacy statement or the practices of this site, contact the webmaster.
Email Webmaster@bethisraelbellingham.org, or send mail to Webmaster, Congregation Beth Israel, 751 San Juan Boulevard, Bellingham, WA 98229
Resolutions
Bylaws
The congregation will be asked to approve some changes to the bylaws at the May 22, 2016 annual meeting. These proposed changes were approved by the Board of Directors at their regular April 2016 meeting.
Bylaws updated 10/10/2011 (PDF 37.89 KB)
Resolutions
The positions of the Reform Movement are based primarily in two sources: Resolutions adopted by the Union for Reform Judaism, and resolutions adopted by the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
With regard to the resolutions adopted by the Union for Reform Judaism, ultimately it is the members of Reform congregations who set the policy for the Movement. During the Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial General Assembly, delegates from the over 900 member congregations consider and vote on resolutions that reflect the consensus positions of our membership. This democratic process and the commitment of the Reform Movement to speak out on issues of concern is as old as the Movement itself, and is evidenced by the hundreds of resolutions adopted since its inception.
Both the CCAR and the Union’s database of resolutions may be search by topic, date or keyword.
- Resolutions of the Union for Reform Judaism
- Resolutions of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
In addition, you may wish to consult the Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa and the Reform platforms
What is Reform Judaism?
Throughout history, Jews have remained firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, even as we learned much from our encounters with other cultures. Nevertheless, since its earliest days, Reform Judaism has asserted that a Judaism frozen in time is an heirloom, not a living fountain.
The great contribution of Reform Judaism is that it has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving tradition, to embrace diversity while asserting commonality, to affirm beliefs without rejecting those who doubt, and to bring faith to sacred texts without sacrificing critical scholarship.
Reform Judaism affirms the central tenets of Judaism – God, Torah and Israel – even as it acknowledges the diversity of Reform Jewish beliefs and practices. We believe that all human beings are created in the image of God, and that we are God’s partners in improving the world. Tikkun olam — repairing the world — is a hallmark of Reform Judaism as we strive to bring peace, freedom, and justice to all people.
Reform Jews accept the Torah as the foundation of Jewish life containing God’s ongoing revelation to our people and the record of our people’s ongoing relationship with God. We see the Torah as God inspired, a living document that enables us to confront the timeless and timely challenges of our everyday lives.
In addition to our belief that Judaism must change and adapt to the needs of the day to survive and our firm commitment to Tikkun Olam , the following principles distinguish Reform Jews from other streams of Judaism in North America.
- Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion, not exclusion. Since 1978 the Reform Movement has been reaching out to Jews-by-choice and interfaith families, encouraging them to embrace Judaism. Reform Jews consider children to be Jewish if they are the child of a Jewish father or mother, so long as the child is raised as a Jew.
- Reform Jews are committed to the absolute equality of women in all areas of Jewish life. We were the first movement to ordain women rabbis, invest women cantors, and elect women presidents of our synagogues.
- Reform Jews are also committed to the full participation of gays and lesbians in synagogue life as well as society at large.
Divrei Torah/Sermons
Sermons by Rabbi Joshua Samuels (unless otherwise noted):
2023:
Erev Rosh Hashanah: God Re-visited
Rosh Hashanah Morning: Judaism and Gender
Kol Nidre: Life After Death
Yom Kippur: Holiness
2022:
Erev Rosh Hashanah (Awe Wonder and the Cosmos)
Rosh Hashanah Morning (Reproductive Justice)
Rosh Hashanah Day 2, The Akedah (by David Schlitt)
Kol Nidre (Regret)
Yom Kippur Morning (Loving-Kindness)
2021:
Erev Rosh Hashanah (What Brings Us Here Tonight)
Rosh Hashanah Morning (The Z Word)
Kol Nidre (We Are All Flawed)
Yom Kippur Morning (My Ethical Will)
2020:
2019:
Yom Kippur: Jewish Elderhood
Kol Nidre: Judaism and Guns
Rosh Hashana Day 2: What do Jews Believe? by Stuart Berman
Rosh Hashana morning: Judge Not — The Jewish Perspective on Casting Judgment
Erev Rosh Hashana: Why I am Proud to be a member of CBI
2018:
YK morning Tochecha- Rebuke Lovingly
YK Kol Nidre Love your neighbor as yourself
Shabbat Shuvah, Guest Sermon by Roby Blecker
Rosh Hashana morning: To Be a Super Hero
Erev Rosh Hashana: Why I am Proud to be a Reform Jew
2017:
2017 Yom Kippur Morning: Finding Resilience
2017 Kol Nidre: Scapegoating
2017 Rosh Hashana morning: Mahloket L’shem Shamayim
2017 Erev Rosh Hashana: Why I am Proud to be a Jew
2016:
Yom Kippur Morning 2016: Jewish Response to Black Lives Matter
Kol Nidre 2016: Forgiveness
Erev Rosh Hashana 2016: Happiness, Happiness You Shall Pursue
Rosh Hashana 2016 Day 1 — Carving a New Future
Rosh Hashana 2016 Day 2 — Guest Sermon by Roby Blecker
2015:
Kol Nidre 2015, Holding a Grudge
Yom Kippur Morning 2015, How Do We Want to Be Remembered?
Erev Rosh Hashana 2015, Storytelling
Rosh Hashana 2015 Day 1, Empowered Judaism
Rosh Hashana 2015 Day 2 — Guest Sermon by Roby Blecker
2014:
Chol Chamoed Pesach 2014 — Guest Sermon by Roby Blecker
Va’yetzei Nov. 28, 2014 — Guest Sermon by Roby Blecker
Kol Nidre 2014, Let’s Talk About Israel
Yom Kippur morning 2014, Jewish Bucket List
Rosh Hashana morning, 2014 – Let’s Talk About God
Erev Rosh Hashana 2014 – Be a Blesser
B’har Leaving One’s Home May 2014
2013:
Parashat Vayeshev Nov. 22, 2013
Yom Kippur morning 2013 – Israel
Kol Nidre 2013 – Computer crash
Rosh Hashana morning: Relational Judaism
Rosh Hashana evening: Inspiration from Two Women
Elul Reflections: Preparing for the Yamim Nora’im 2013
Shofetim Aug. 9, 2013
Va’etchanan Honoring our Parents 2013
B’haalot’cha May 24, 2013 (PDF 95.73 KB)
Teacher Appreciation May 31 2013 (PDF 61.12 KB)
Getting Dirty for Pesach March 22, 2013 (PDF 21.14 KB)
MLK 2013 (PDF 64.33 KB)
2012:
Vayigash 2012 (PDF 87.50 KB)
Lech Lecha (PDF 87.61 KB)
Women of the Wall October 2012 (PDF 75.73 KB)
Rosh Hashanah – Abayudaya (PDF 92.65 KB)
Rosh Hashanah – Family Issues (PDF 107.73 KB)
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 – Financial Meltdown (PDF 100.89 KB)
Yom Kippur – Apologizing (PDF 156.70 KB)
Yom Kippur – Rachel Corrie (PDF 125.15 KB)
Ki Teitzay – Aug. 31, 2012 (PDF 83.35 KB)
Elul – Aug. 24, 2012 (PDF 62.91 KB)
Committees
Committee | Chair |
Archives | Tim Baker |
Care | Else Sokol, Sarah Witte |
Cemetery | Janis Ban |
Communications | Melissa Schapiro |
Facilities Maintenance/Management | Kevin Donner, Isaac Blum |
Finance | Karen Sloss |
Financial Sustainability Director | Jodi Litt |
Fundraising | Karen Sloss |
Human Resources | Paul Blum |
Governance | Rena Ziegler, Mitch Press |
Kesher Center for Jewish Learning | Katie Edelstein and Rita Spitzer |
Library | Joan Wayne and Rob Lopresti |
Membership | Ann Suloway and Sue Mahar |
Nominating Committee | Miriam Schwartz |
Oneg | Joan Wayne, Sarah Witte |
Programming | Emily Weiner and Melissa Schapiro |
Ritual Committee | Rabbi Joshua Samuels |
Scholarship | Emil Hecht |
Scrip Program | Joan Wayne |
Safety and Security | Brooke Kassen |
Social Action | Linda Blackwell |
Technology | Isaac Konikoff |
University Liaison | Steven Garfinkle |
Check the membership directory in the members only section for contact information, or Contact a committee chair via the main office.
About Our Committees
Care Committee: Coordinates assistance and support for members experiencing illness, loss, natural disaster or major life change. Else Sokol and Sarah Witte, Co-Chairs.
Cemetery Committee: Oversees maintenance and improvement of the Jewish cemetery and sale of cemetery plots. Assists families in the selection of a plot, funeral arrangements, scheduling the graveside funeral, co-ordinating the Chevra Kadisha and notifying the Care Committee when needed. Contact Janis for questions on cemetery or funeral matters. Chair: Janis Ban (360) 734-5021.
Communications Team: Assists and supports in maintaining current communications and marketing tools and looks at other innovative ways to enhance communications both within the Synagogue community and with the outside community. Oversees content, development and administration of the Synagogue’s website. Melissa Schapiro, Chair.
Events & Rental Review (Subcommittee of Facilities Maintenance/Management): Works with members & non-members who are interested in using the space in the CBI building: provide a comprehensive a set of guidelines & expectations to anyone interested in renting space; be sure that all events are approved and have been adequately planned, and ensure the decorum & sanctity of the synagogue are maintained. Katie Edelstein, chair.
Executive Committee: Board officers meet at least once each month to provide vision and leadership for the board by looking at pertinent current and upcoming issues and determining how and when these issues are addressed.
Facilities Maintenance/Management: Focuses on the maintenance, functional improvement and aesthetic enhancement of the synagogue building and grounds. Kevin Donner and Isaac Blum, co-chairs.
Finance Committee: Collects synagogue dues and monitors the annual budget on a monthly basis. Prepares the Congregation’s annual budget, audits it as needed and determines appropriate investments for the Synagogue’s reserves. Karen Sloss, chair.
Fundraising Committee: Charged with exploring and implementing strategies and events to raise funds for the ongoing functions and projects of Congregation Beth Israel, which would include but not be limited to property improvement projects, supplementing the General Fund, special events or projects as designated by the Board of Directors, and developing an Endowment Fund for future capital expenditures and repairs/maintenance for the building. Karen Sloss, chair.
Governance Committee: Examines the organization structure of the Congregation and works with the Committees, Board, and the Rabbi to help create Job Descriptions, Policy, Mission statements and Procedure to help the Congregation operate in an objective, visible and inclusive manner. Rena Ziegler and Mitch Press, C0-Chairs.
Human Resources Committee: Works to ensure that our employees are treated professionally, fairly and consistently at all phases of employment. Paul Blum, chair.
Kesher Center for Jewish Learning Committee: Works with our Rabbi and the Kesher School Administrator to support the religious school program and coordinate holiday celebrations for the children. Chairs, Katie Edelstein and Rita Spitzer.
Library Committee: Seeks acquisitions and maintains the synagogue library. Collects donations for the library. Joan Wayne and Rob Lopresti, Co-Chairs.
Membership Committee: Welcomes new members and works with prospective members. Expands community awareness of Beth Israel and the benefits of Synagogue membership. Encourages interested families and singles to become members through hospitality and Jewish programming efforts. Ann Suloway and Sue Mahar, Co-Chairs.
Nominating Committee: Identifies current and potential Synagogue leaders to serve as Board members and Board Officers. Miriam Schwartz, Chair.
Oneg Committee: Organizes and oversees Oneg celebrations that follow Shabbat services and other observances during the synagogue calendar year. We maintain a schedule of onegs and assign responsibilities for theses among our members. Tours of the kitchen are available for new members by arrangement. Joan Wayne, Sarah Witte & Miriam Davids, Co-chairs.
Programming Team: Programming committee seeks to develop activities, presentations, and experiences that enhance and enrich the lives of our community – CBI members, other Jews in the area, and the wider community. These activities, which are in addition to CBI’s regular holiday events, may include speakers, musical events, scholar in residence, etc., and will be in keeping with the values of CBI. Emily Weiner and Melissa Schapiro, Co-Chairs.
Religious Practices Leadership Team: Works with the Rabbi to establish Religious policy, practices and procedures used in our Congregation’s practice of Judaism. Rabbi Joshua Samuels, Leader.
Ritual Committee: Rabbi Joshua Samuels, Leader.
Scholarship Committee: Provides financial assistance via the Rabbi Fred Gartner Scholarship fund to qualifying Congregants. Applicants who attend post secondary schooling and would benefit from financial assistance are potential recipients. Applicants should participate in synagogue activities, be Jewish, and strive for academic excellence. Emil Hecht, Chair.
Safety and Security Committee:…………Dan Ohms and Tammy Dixon,
co-chairs.
Social Action Committee: Takes a leadership role in involving our Jewish community and Congregation in community projects that focus on key social needs such as hunger and housing). By working through existing organizations, we maximize our resources and build important alliances with the greater, non-Jewish community. Linda Blackwell, chair.
Technology Committee Oversees and manages the effective and efficient use of Technology at Congregation Beth Israel. Isaac Konikoff, chair.
University Liaison Committee: Maintains a channel of communication between the congregation and WWU students. Works informally with the University Hillel Group as well. Steven Garfinkle, Chair.
Task Forces and Other Positions:
Chevra Kadisha: Provides ritual purification for the dead (tahara), when desired by the family of the deceased. Three volunteers, either all-male or all-female, are in attendance. Debbie Adelstein, Leader
Congregation Archivist: ……..Tim Baker.
Financial Sustainability Director: Serves as a key communicator with new and existing CBI members regarding the financial needs of the congregation and the financial responsibilities of membership. Jodi Litt.
Scrip Program: Supplements Synagogue operating income through using a successful scrip program. Joan Wayne, Coordinator.
Youth Group: BAY (Bellingham Area Youth), for Jewish teens, is a social group that engages in a variety of social and Jewish community activities. Affiliated with NFTY (National Federation of Temple Youth). Adviser: Leah Bordman.
Sisterhood: The Sisterhood of Beth Israel will not be an active auxiliary of CBI as of Fall 2019. Small groups, such as the Lunch Bunch, Book Group and Knitting/Handwork Group will continue. These have been Sisterhood-sanctioned versus official Sisterhood events. Contact Joan Wayne for information.
Committee chair contact numbers are listed in our monthly newsletter, The Shul Shofar