Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue (Cambridge) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue
The synagogue in 2018
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue
Status	Active
Location
Location	Auckland Road, Cambridge, England CB5 8DW
Location in Cambridge
Architecture
Date established	1981 (as a congregation)
Completed	2015

Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue is a special place for Jewish people in Cambridge, England. It's a synagogue, which is like a church or temple for Jewish communities. This synagogue follows Reform Judaism, a way of practicing Judaism that often blends old traditions with modern life. Most of the work and services at Beth Shalom are done by volunteers from the community. Even the religious services are led by members, except when a visiting rabbi (a Jewish spiritual leader) comes.

History of Beth Shalom

The idea for this community started in October 1976. It was first known as the Cambridge Reform Jewish Community. The Beth Shalom congregation officially began in 1981.

For many years, the community held its services in rented places. Then, in 2015, they opened their very own synagogue building. This new building on Auckland Road was the first Reform synagogue in Cambridge. It has a large prayer hall that can hold at least 200 people. The building was officially opened on September 6, 2015, with a special service.

Jewish Services and Festivals

Beth Shalom holds services every week on Shabbat morning. Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, from Friday evening to Saturday evening. They also have services for important Jewish holidays, known as High Holy Days and other festivals.

• Shabbat Services: Shabbat morning services are often followed by a 'bring and share' Kiddush. This is a light meal or snack where people share food and chat. Sometimes, a member sponsors the Kiddush to celebrate a special event.
• Cheder Services: Sometimes, there's a special 'Cheder Service'. This gives the Cheder (religion school) children and their families a chance to take part in the service and singing.
• High Holy Days: For the High Holy Days, like Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), there are morning services. On Yom Kippur, services last all day. They end with havdalah (a ceremony marking the end of Shabbat or a holiday) and a shared meal to break the fast.
• Other Festivals: Beth Shalom celebrates all the other major Jewish festivals. These include Sukkot (Feast of Booths) and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing with the Torah). For Sukkot, they even have a communal Sukkah, which is a temporary hut. They also have a party for Hanukkah, a tree-planting ceremony for Tu Bishvat, and a reading of the Megillah for Purim. A special service is held for Yom Ha'Shoah, which remembers the Holocaust. For Pesach (Passover), they have a communal second-night Seder (a special meal) and a service on the seventh day.

Community Life

Beth Shalom is a lively community with over 400 adult and child members. This includes about 200 families.

• Who Can Join: If you live in or around Cambridge and are Jewish, you can join. This includes people who are Jewish through their mother's side or who have converted to Judaism. Children under 18 whose parents are members automatically become members too.
• Welcoming Everyone: Many members have partners who are not Jewish. These partners are always welcome to attend services and join in community activities. Even though they can't be official members, they are a valued part of the community.

Learning and Education

Beth Shalom believes in learning for all ages.

• Cheder: They have a large cheder, which is a religion school for children.
• Adult Learning: Adults can take Hebrew classes on Sunday mornings. There are also talks throughout the year about Jewish culture and history.
• Social Events: The community also organizes fun social events. These include an Oneg Shabbat (a gathering after Shabbat services), quizzes, talks, and cultural trips.

Young People's Activities

Beth Shalom encourages young people to get involved and learn more about their Jewish heritage.

• Summer Camps: The synagogue helps fund members of its B'nei Mitzvah class to attend Shemesh. These are summer camps organized by RSY-Netzer, a youth movement for Reform Judaism.
• Jewish Holiday Programs: Young people can also join Jewish holiday camps and tours in Europe. They can also take part in gap year programs in Israel.
• Local Youth Groups: There are opportunities to join local youth activities with groups like Maccabi and JLGB, as well as RSY-Netzer.
• Youth Group: Beth Shalom has its own Youth Group for young people aged 12 and up. This group works with RSY-Netzer.
• Bar and Bat Mitzvah: After getting a good Jewish education, children of Beth Shalom members can become Bar or Bat Mitzvah when they are thirteen. This is a special ceremony during the Shabbat morning service. Most young people learn to chant a part of the Torah (Jewish holy text) directly from the Torah scroll for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Helping the Wider Community

Beth Shalom is also involved in helping people outside their own community. They take part in social action projects. For example, they have raised money for Haiti. They also participate in Mitzvah Day and Human Rights Shabbat programs. Mitzvah Day is a day when Jewish people volunteer to help others.