Jill
My family and I joined Beth El in the spring of 2007. We were initially drawn to Beth El because of my children's fantastic experience in the preschool program. We ended up deciding to join because we loved the community of people and the spirit of the shul. Beth El embraces everyone, regardless of where each person may find themselves on their own spiritual journey. We have also been energized by the leadership of our incredible Rabbi. My children are now enrolled in the JLC which is a vibrant and thriving program. I look forward to talking to anyone interested in learning about this special community.

Rena
My husband, Matt, and I love being a part of the Beth El family! We had moved to South Orange in 2013, but hadn't been ready to commit to joining a synagogue. A couple of months after our son was born in 2014, we decided to join Beth El. We were welcomed with such open arms that we wondered why we didn't join as soon as we came to town! While my husband and I have different levels of Jewish knowledge, we both feel at home at Beth El. My husband loves participating in Men's Club events and has recently joined some adult education opportunities. I love being a part of the Membership Committee, leading services/reading Torah, and participating in Mini-Minyan with my son (who also loves come to the preschool each week for Toddler Time.) We feel privileged and honored to be a part of such an enriching, loving, open-minded and FUN multi-generational community!
 

Alba
My family joined Beth El in 2012, right before the birth or our first child. As a queer woman, I needed a community that would not merely tolerate my family but would welcome and support us in earnest. As a Jew-by-choice, I also searched for a spiritual home that would offer instruction and encouragement. Congregation Beth El is all this and more. Whether through formal classes or the patient guidance of fellow congregants, my comfort level with ritual and observance has drastically improved. I also feel very blessed to see Beth El actively involved in LGBTQ issues, as well as other important social issues. I am proud to raise my children here, and feel honored to be able to contribute to this special community. As Sisterhood president, I invite you to attend one of our events or to reach out with any questions you have.

Claire
Our family joined Congregation Beth El over 45 years ago when our twin daughters were just toddlers, and we have been active members ever since. We are fond of saying that Beth El is the family we chose. Our closest friendships are still with those we met as young members, and our lives are continually being enriched by the wonderful new relationships we are still forming today. Beth El welcomes and thrives because of the active involvement of our members, and over the years, I served on many committees and held a variety of leadership roles. My husband and I have the distinction of being the only couple who served (at different times) as the congregation's presidents, and today I continue to be involved in many aspects of life at Beth El. I serve on the board of our multi generational Sisterhood, am part of the Membership Committee, participate as a service leader on Shabbat, and helped inaugurate a Boomers and Beyond Group for the over 50's crowd.

Rachel
My husband Seth and I joined Beth El in 2013, just a few weeks before our first child was born. We were moving from Washington, DC and looking for a vibrant, diverse community where members played a central role in services, programming, and education. Seth was raised in a very observant Conservative home, and I definitely was not! It was important to us to find a place where we were accepted as we were, but encouraged to continue our Jewish journey. Beth El is definitely that place. We bring 2.5 year-old Theodore and baby Vera to Mini-Minyan regularly and are involved in reading Torah, leading services, the Membership Committee, the Board of Trustees, Kitchen Cabinet, and just hanging out with our Beth El friends in and out of the building.

Steve

Two months after we moved to Maplewood, a neighbor heard that we were looking for a synagogue and told us about Beth Wl, where she was a member.  We decided to give it a try and were immediately welcomed by the rabbi and many longtime members.  I had grown up in a Reform synagogue, but from the start Beth El felt like home.  We’ve been members for ten years; our sons have gone through the preschool and Jewish Learning Center. This spring we are delighted to bring our older son to the Bima as a Bar Mitzvah.