After moving here for my husband’s medical residency over twenty years ago,
With no real intentions of making this our permanent home, but little did we know…
That we would fall in love with a community named Ponte Vedra Beach
With a tropical climate and the Atlantic Ocean within our reach.
With so much to offer, including the best schools in the state,
Staying here indefinitely seemed like fate!
Then we found our beloved temple nestled between the intracoastal waterway and the coast
We can honestly say it is the place in the area that we love the most.
From the minute you enter the parking lot and walk through the door
The love exudes from our staff and members and warms you to the core!
Our members come from near and far, a true melting pot
One thing is for sure it is hard to find a better spot
Our Beth El family may be small in size, but we are large in heart
But this is iust one of the many things that clearly sets us apart!
We are very pleased about your interest in joining Beth El The Beaches Synagogue. We hope that you will make us your Jewish communal and spiritual home. Our congregation has a rich history, and there are a number of exciting programs and educational opportunities to help nurture Jewish meaning, connection and continuity.
All of us at Beth El look forward to getting to know you. Please feel free to come to services or any congregational events. If you know in advance that you’re coming, please let us know. We would be happy to meet you, arrange for someone to sit with you at services, introduce you to other members, and show you around.
Also, contact us if you would like to meet with the clergy, learn more about our religious school or preschool, or just be added to our email or mailing list.
What is my membership commitment?
At Beth El we ask you to pay an annual pledge along with a new member building fund that can be planned over a 5-year period. No one will be denied membership due to financial circumstances. Individuals and families who have questions about our Beth El program please e-mail Elissa Feldman at elissa@bethelbeaches.org.
How do I become a member of Beth El? What is the process?
We’d love to have you join us. Just email our Office manager, Elissa Feldman at elissa@bethelbeaches.org or call 904-273-9100 for more information and a membership packet. You can also download our membership Application, fill it out and mail it to us.
Who will feel comfortable at Beth El?
Our members reflect the diversity of the area, coming from all walks of life and many different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. We welcome Jewish singles and single parents, interfaith families, Jews of color, and Jewish families in all their diversity, including LGBT couples with or without children. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse spiritual, religious, educational, and social needs of our members.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways to become involved at Beth El and to become acquainted with other congregants. During your membership process, we hope to get to know you personally so that we can connect you with programs, groups, and classes that complement your interests. We offer a warm and inviting atmosphere in which you can expand and explore your Jewish life.
Why should I join Beth El?
Beth El is a community, a family. At Beth El, we support one another with a caring community and a culture of inclusiveness. We have weekly worship opportunities, adult education, religious school for children, youth group, multiple social justice activities, and great opportunities to meet and connect with other people.
Why should I join now? My child is only two years old.
It is never too soon to be a part of the Jewish community. While we often think that synagogues are around to “teach Judaism” to our children, the synagogue’s greatest purpose is to support and to enrich each of us so that our own confidence as Jews can become the example from which our children will learn. Synagogues provide ongoing opportunities to study, experience, and enjoy being connected to a Jewish community.
We offer special programs for families with young children including Toit Shabbats and an interactive “Grown Up and Me” program.
My kids are grown. What do I need a synagogue for?
While we offer many family-oriented programs that does not mean that we are only open to families with younger children. In fact, so many of our programs are for adults, as we seek to nurture a mature development of spirituality and Jewish connection for people at every age of their lives. We focus on community building, with Sisterhood, Brotherhood, adult education, social action activities, and, of course, our regular worship experiences. The congregation endeavors to enhance your connection with other Jews and your personal search for connection and meaning.
Do you have other interfaith families at Beth El?
Yes. Beth El has many interfaith couples/families. Our goal is to welcome and include all members regardless of their religious upbringing.