Temple members Beatrice and Harold Ponn (both of blessed memory) established The Donald Ponn Scholarship Fund in memory of their son. The fund supports the youth of our congregation by providing scholarships for a variety of activities that help our children develop their identities and bring them into contact with other Jewish children. In the past, the fund has supported activities such as NFTY teen trips to Israel, NFTY youth institutes, Jewish leadership development and education programs, and Jewish summer camps.

Beth El Temple Center is a Reform congregation of over 350 memberships, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Beth El Temple Center is located in Belmont, Massachusetts and serves many surrounding communities, including Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, Lexington, Arlington and Somerville. Beth El has a strong egalitarian tradition and welcomes Jews and their families who want to be a part of our Jewish community. Beth El Temple Center offers a place for learning and living Torah, a place to help repair the world, and a place to nurture your soul.

On Friday, October 25^th as part of Social Action Shabbat services, the fourth annual Jonathan Jacoby Tikkun Olam awards were presented to: Andrea Kramer, Maria Jobin-Leeds and Greg Jobin-Leeds. Although neither Jonathan Jacoby nor any of his local family members could attend the service, Jonathan sent his wholehearted endorsement of the named honorees. By his many actions, long-time Temple member and now resident in California, Jonathan Jacoby has taught us the power each of us has to “repair the world.” He has inspired many of us both to do more and to do better at the work of caring, staying involved, and making a difference in the lives of others. These three honorees follow in his footsteps, and serve as role models to us all.

The Beth El Temple Center Climate Team's latest initative can benefit the environment and BETC at the same time!  Divert your home food scraps from the landfill; turn them into compost with weekly curbside pick-up service by Black Earth Compost.  Read about the program here.