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A Caring Community
Beth Shalom highly values congregants caring about and for one another. At Beth Shalom congregants are assigned a month of the year in which they serve on the caring committee. Four times a year, those on the caring committees assigned to the coming three months meet for a social gathering and heavy hors h’deouvres and for a briefing share with the Rabbi on the caring needs of the congregation.Whatever caring needs arise — visiting the sick or elderly, setting up a shiva home, providing meals for shut-ins, providing food for a mezzuzah hanging for a new family or at a bris, etc. — become the responsibility of that month’s caring committee. In this way, we all care for one another, but our responsibility is limited to one month out of the year. The program has been verysuccessful and has made us a much stronger community.
Social Programs
Thanks to Paul and Barbara Rosenthal who head our social programming committee that organizes social events. The next event will be our second annual “Shlep & Shmooze with the Jews Hike & Picnic” on Sunday, August 15. Other events will follow.
Social Action
The Social Action committee has planned two events for the coming year. On International Peace Day, September 21, we will sponsor a film and a discussion about the Israel-Palestinian conflict. On April 23, we will again participate as part of the City Earth Day celebration.
Family Promise
Family Promise of Gallatin Valley is a non-profit network of diverse faith organizations working together to assist homeless families with children develop and implement lasting solutions to their unique situation. As a partner congregation within the Family Promise network, Beth Shalom works with Pilgrim Congregational Church to house and feed families participating in the program. We typically host families about five to six times a year on a rotational basis. Our trained volunteers provide meals while the families are staying at Pilgrim and spend time as evening and overnight hosts during those hosting weeks. Beth Shalom also participates in the fundraising events that Family Promise sponsors and in this way involves more members of our congregation, inclucing the children. Along with the other participating congregations, Beth Shalom is helping to make Family Promise a very successful non-profit which is having a positive impact on one of Gallatin Valley’s growing problems. We always need new volunteers and anyone working directly with the participating families needs to go through a two hour training, which is offered regularly. For more information, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Nikki Fink at 586-4221 or shadylane@q.com.
Montana Association of Jewish Communities (MAJCO)
Beth Shalom is an active member and participant in MAJCO. Beth Shalom former president Josh Burnim serves as President as MAJCO. MAJCO events include an annual shabbaton, where Jews from around the State gather, and an annual menorah lighting in the Capitol building in Helena.
Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association (GVIA)
Rabbi Ed represents our congregation in the Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association(GVIA), an interfaith association that meets monthly. Rabbi Ed currently serves as vice-chair.
Monthly Interfaith Panel
One Thursday a month at noon at the Temple (except during the summer), Father Leo from Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Rev. Jody McDevitt from First Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Ed, and sometimes another clergy, will come together to discuss how each of our faith-traditions understand a particular issue, and address questions from those attending about those issues. This is not only a chance for learning, but also an opportunity to understand one another better. Click here for the calendar to see next meeting date.
Downtown Ministers’ Association
Rabbi Ed is an active member of the Downtown Ministers’ Association.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Beth Shalom is a regular participant in Bozeman’s interfaith Thanksgiving service.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Beth Shalom observes Holocaust Memorial Day together with the interfaith community.
Other Interfaith programs
Rabbi Ed frequently teaches about various aspects of Judaism at various Bozeman churches. Rabbi Ed believes that it is important to be part of the larger Bozeman religious community and that we work together on many issues of mutual concern. Progressive Judaism believes that there are many paths to G!d and that none are inherently superior, but each is designed to help different peoples and help the world become a more whole place.