Welcome to the Bloomington Jewish Community
Congregation Beth Shalom

We welcome all Jews:
Observant and non-observant;
Jews by choice, by birth, and interfaith households;
Individuals, couples and all kinds of families.

We have a strong commitment both to tradition, and to the search for contemporary meaning.
We take pride in creating a community where all can feel at home.

• celebrate
• Study
• Meditate
• Pray
• Contribute
• Connect
• Comfort
• Enjoy
• Make a difference
• Explore Tradition
• Experience Renewal

Leadership and Staff
3750 E. Third Street
P.O. Box 6835
Bloomington, IN 47407
Phone: 812-334-2440
Email: office@bethshalom-bjc.org
http:/www.bethshalom-bjc.org

Our Story
In the late 1950s a group of Jewish families began to meet at the old Hillel building at Indiana University for Shabbat services, and formed a religious school that met at people’s homes. In 1965, they established the Bloomington Jewish Community, and in 1971, a modest synagogue building was dedicated on our present site. Twelve years later, this first building was destroyed in an arson fire. We re-doubled our efforts to establish a strong and vibrant Jewish center, adding our present sanctuary when we re-built. Continued growth brought the engagement of full-time rabbinic services, a building expansion, and the establishment of a pre-school. Today, Beth Shalom has 200 member households, and over 120 children in our youth programs. We are governed by a lay board, funded through membership dues, and thrive through participation of volunteers.

• Gan Shalom nurtures children ages 1-5 with a play-based Jewish curriculum.
• Our Religious School encourages Jewish learning and identification through the study of Jewish history, values and traditions and of Hebrew language, from pre-school through high school.
• Life-long learning opportunities engage adults of all backgrounds in Jewish study: a weekly seminar in Basic Judaism; adult Hebrew; book group; rotating courses in Jewish literature, culture, and religion; monthly forum; senior programs; and Shabbat Torah study.

• Latke dinners for Hanuka; masquerade balls on Purim; community seder on Passover; we celebrate the cycle of the Jewish year.
• Joyous moments bring the community together: Bris, baby naming, adoption ceremonies; bar/bat mitzvah and confirmation; marriage and commitment ceremonies; conversion celebrations. 
• From play group to youth group to our gathering for seniors, opportunities abound to come together with friends.

Join us as we come together for worship, study and celebration each Shabbat and on holidays throughout the year.

• Friday—warm and informal: Our evening worship includes exuberant singing and a relevant message from the rabbi, followed by oneg Shabbat.
• Saturday—more traditional: Our lay-led Shabbat morning minyan includes full Torah and Haftarah readings.
• Jewish Renewal—intimate Shabbat service combining meditation, chant, study and spirited singing.
• Tot Shabbat—playful shabbat experiences for pre-school children and their families.
• Tefillat Noar—Music and drama add dynamism to this service by and for school-age students.
• After Shabbat morning services, all are invited for a pitch-in lunch and Torah study.
• A Jewish meditation group meets weekly.

• In times of illness and bereavement , Beth Shalom members are there for another, helping with meals and caring visits.
• Our Hevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) provides traditional, loving services to mourning families. We maintain our congregational cemetery in keeping with Jewish tradition.

We take seriously the Jewish injunction of tikkun olam—to mend a broken world.

• Our volunteers participate in programs that feed the hungry, aid the vulnerable, and enhance the life of the young and old.
• Our members are leaders in promoting dialogue and understanding locally and globally.
• We actively pursue our ties with Israel.