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Welcome to Congregation Beth Elohim —

— an egalitarian, community synagogue located in Acton, Massachusetts. Independent and non-affiliated, we welcome diversity, including individuals and interfaith families, regardless of age, race, gender, economic or family status, ethnic background, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation. We draw our membership from surrounding towns including Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Stow, and Westford. As an oasis of Jewish life far from areas of high Jewish concentration, we embrace a progressive orientation, combining an appreciation for the sanctity of Jewish traditions with a sensitivity to the needs of a population which is religiously diverse. We commit to building and maintaining an anti-racist Jewish community.  We offer a Jewish-themed preschool, and a K–11th grade religious school. If you'd like to learn more about membership, click here.

Around the Shul

Simchat Torah celebration and services (in person, via ZOOM, some outdoors) ♦ Monday, September 27, 5:30 PM and Tuesday, September 28, 9:30 AM

On Monday evening, erev Simchat Torah celebration, sing and dance the night away with our special guest, Klezmer musician, Barry Shapiro. Bring dinner for a picnic on the CBE lawn prior to the service.  Tuesday morning Sh'mini Azeret service marks the end of our month long holiday season.  More details HERE.

High Holiday Appeal 5782 ♦ Celebrating our CBE Heroes

Nominate a "CBE Hero" from our congregation or staff HERE that you believe reflects Jewish values like Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World)  and Gemilut Hasidim (Acts of Loving Kindness). As we celebrate and honor our heroes, please make a financial contribution in whatever amount you can so that CBE is able to grow and live up to our greatest values. See the list of nominated CBE heroes, posted weekly, HERE.

Come Get Away at the Sisterhood Annual Membership Dinner ♦ Sunday, October 17 ♦ 5:00 PM

Join Sisterhood, outside, under the CBE solar panels for this always fun annual event. In the case of inclement weather,  the event will be held via Zoom and meals will be available for pickup. The fare for this trip is your Sisterhood annual dues. All must pre-register by October 10th to attend.  Register HERE to let us know you are coming and you'll have the option to pay your dues online or by check.

Chevra Kadisha with Hal Miller-Jacobs (in person at CBE and via ZOOM) ♦ Sunday, October 17 ♦ 3:00 PM

This is the rescheduled 4th presentation in our winter 2020 series called Things We Need to Know for Ourselves and Our Parents: A Series of Presentations about "End of Life" issues. Hal, cofounder of the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston, will talk about burial rituals, the loving customs of caring for the departed in preparation for what many believe is the afterlife.  Sign up HERE.

Brotherhood and Sisterhood Movie Night Outdoors at CBE ♦ Saturday, October 16 ♦ 7:00 PM

Come watch the movie, A Serious Man. Free to sisterhood and brotherhood members, with complimentary free admission to spouses. If not already paid, pay your dues at the event by check or online, HERE for Sisterhood and HERE for Brotherhood. We'll provide hot mulled cider. BYO blanket, chair, and movie munchies! Pre-register HERE.

Kabbalah of Genesis: Studies in the Zohar led by Rabbi Mike ♦ Non B'nei Mitzvah Saturdays, October through December ♦ 10:45 to 11:45 AM

The Zohar is the best known text of Kabbalah, a mystical commentary on Torah. Join us following Shabbat morning services (non B'nei Mitzvah) as we introduce some main concepts in Kabbalah and look at select commentaries from the Zohar.  You may sign up HERE.

High Holidays 5782 Highlights

We've collected a few of the highlights from this year's High Holidays observance.  HERE, you will find the Co-President's speech, Kerri Garbis's D'var Torah, Cantor Sarra's moving Hineni interpretation, and Edwin Barker's gift of his rendition of Bruch's Kol Nidrei.

Adult Ed brings us Glimpses of Light and Darkness: Genesis Through a Photographic Lens ♦ 6 Sundays starting October 17 ♦ 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

This is a Hebrew College class, online via ZOOM, taught by Leann Shamash.  This class combines photography and Torah study, looking at six different parshiyot in the book of Genesis. CBE members register HERE and pay a fee of $144, which represents an $18 discount.  

Lunchtime Talmud with Rabbi Mike ♦ Thursdays starting September 23 through June, 2022 ♦ 12:00 to 1:00 PM

Lunchtime Talmud is back by popular demand! Join Rabbi Mike for some noontime learning and discussions for Talmud beginners and up. This may be held both in person and via ZOOM. Sign up and find details about obtaining the version of the Koren Talmud Bavli.

Tue, September 28 2021 22 Tishrei 5782