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.

Each year, an intrepid group of staff and Temple members come together in the spirit of Purim to prepare a night of silliness, celebration and fun for our congregation. Yes, it's the "Purim Shpiel"--the musical play in which we retell (more or less) the Purim story!  Come and enjoy the revelry on Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30 PM.   This year, we'll take on "The Man of LaMancha" (with apologies to Cervantes) in a production we're calling: "Mensch of All Persia."  At 9 AM services the following morning, Thursday March 21st, you can hear and participate in a reading of "the whole megillah."  The fun continues on Sunday morning, March 24th with the Purim Celebration and Carnival.  Open to all, with a special area for little revelers.  See details under Upcoming Events.  And, don't forget to sign up for Purim Baskets!

Join us on Saturday, April 27th for this year's Paula Lerner Visiting Artist Program when we welcome performance artist & activist Peterson Toscano.  In the evening, Peterson will present an original one-person comedy that explores gender, sexuality, faith, and climate change followed by Q&A and refreshments. Preceding this performance, Peterson will facilitate an engaging and interactive workshop which will help participants explore practical and effective methods to develop stories that inspire people to be curious about climate change. Please register for these free events.

In October 2018, the online Belmont Citizen-Herald featured the work of Beth El Temple Center's Open Hearts, Open Doors: Refugee Response Effort with RIAC, the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center.  As described in the article, our assistance includes donating household items and furniture, helping immigrant families become familiar with the Boston area and practice their English, and assisting them in finding jobs and housing.  In the process, on-going friendships are built.  Read the full article here.