Shalom,
Thank you for expressing interest in joining our wonderful congregation. Beth Israel Congregation has been the center of Jewish life in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina for over 100 years. We are a warm, friendly, and haimish community. We have a mix of families who have lived in the area for three or more generations, and others who have recently moved here. Some live in Florence while many others live in the surrounding towns. Some of us grew up in Reform Temples; others come from more traditional backgrounds; while others are new to Judaism. Interfaith couples are welcomed and actively participate in the life of the congregation.
Shabbat services are held every Friday evening, more often led by one of our two rabbis and sometimes led by a lay leader and wonderful choir. Our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are inspirational and conclude with a community break-the-fast in the social hall. We have a large community Seder and monthly pot luck Shabbat dinners.
We have an active Religious School in which our rabbis take an active role. The school is intimate enough that a rabbi can take the children outside to watch a mother cardinal feed her babies while imparting important lessons from the Torah and our Jewish traditions.
Beth Israel Congregation becomes an extended family for its members. We celebrate simchas, life cycle events, and the holidays together and lean on one another when we share in our grief.
We hope that you decide to join our warm and friendly Jewish community.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Leah Doberne-Schor
Rabbi Aaron Sherman
Julia J., Beth Israel Congregation President
The following is a pdf version of our membership application. Please fill it out and send it or bring it to the synagogue.