Membership
Temple Beth-El offers countless ways to connect, celebrate, and grow.
We hope you’ll consider joining us as a member too.
At Temple Beth-El, membership is more than joining a synagogue—it’s becoming part of a vibrant, inclusive community where tradition and innovation meet. Whether you are seeking meaningful worship, lifelong learning, spiritual growth, social justice opportunities, or simply a place to connect and belong, Temple Beth-El is here for you.
​
As a member, you’ll find opportunities to celebrate Jewish life, engage in inspiring programs, and build lasting relationships across generations. Together, we honor our history, embrace diversity, and create a Jewish future filled with meaning and purpose.​ We invite you to bring your whole self—and your whole family—into our community.
There’s a place for you here.
Benefits of Membership
When you become a member of Temple Beth-El, you become part of a warm, inclusive Reform congregation. Each person or family arrived to Temple with their own unique reasons for joining-but they all share something powerful: they made the choice to be here. Temple Beth-El offers countless ways to connect, celebrate, and grow. We hope you’ll consider joining us as a member too.
Membership opens the door to meaningful opportunities and benefits, including:
Worship & Spiritual Life
-
Shabbat & Holidays – Weekly Shabbat services, festival services, and inclusive family gatherings such as Family Friendly Shabbats.
-
High Holy Days – Admittance to all High Holy Day services for those in your member household.
-
Childcare Services – Babysitting offered during service times provided at no cost to you.
Lifecycle Moments
-
Clergy Support – Guidance and officiation for baby namings, b’nai mitzvah, weddings, funerals/celebrations of life, and conversions.
-
Pastoral Care – Compassionate support during life’s tender and challenging moments, including illness, loss, and end-of-life planning. Our clergy are also here for the joyful milestones, such as premarital counseling and preparing for a meaningful wedding journey.
-
Cemetery Needs – Access to burial plots at member rates in our designated cemeteries.
-
Room and Venue Rentals – Member rates for facility use for your Gatherings for significant milestones and events.
Learning & Growth
-
Adult Education – Opportunities for weekly Torah study, spiritual exploration, and a wide range of enrichment classes.
-
Religious School – Access to our Religious School, exclusively available for member families.
-
Scholarships – Opportunity to apply for Financial support available for Religious School, college, Jewish summer camps, and trips to Israel, exclusively available for members.
-
Wellness Support – Free mental health counseling through Jewish Family Service via Neshama Wellness Program, hosted at Temple.
Community & Social
-
Events & Celebrations – Member rates for congregational dinners, programs, and special events.
-
Exclusive Programs – Access to members-only gatherings such as our Hanukkah in the Hill Country celebration.
-
Tikkun Olam – “Repair the World” by joining our volunteer opportunities through social action and service projects.
-
Advocacy & Travel – Participate in social action trips, locally, statewide and nationally, , as well as congregational journeys around the world.
-
Community Groups – Connect through a variety of social and interest-based groups for all ages.
As an added benefit, membership dues, along with the Security Fee and COFR Fee, are tax-deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attend a service without being a member?
Guests are always welcome! Whether you’re visiting from out of town, exploring our community, or joining family and friends, we’re delighted to have you worship with us. If you know you’ll be visiting, we’d love a heads-up—please reach out to our Director of Philanthropy and Membership Engagement, Aliyah Kuchinsky, at akuchinsky@beth-elsa.org or 210-733-9135, Ext. 109.
What is the cost of Membership?
All member households are asked to contribute to support the vibrancy of our community, we consider it a shared responsibility. Finances however should not be a barrier and supporting Temple Beth-El not a burden. Your gift should feel joyful. If you would like to discuss your annual contribution, please contact Aliyah Kuchinsky to discuss options.
The actual cost per member household to maintain our Temple programs and facilities is $3,200 annually. There are two annual fees, Security ($144) and COFR ($240), Building and Facilities. Annual dues and fees may be paid in full or monthly.
Do I need to be Jewish to be a Member of Temple Beth-El?
Temple Beth-El is open to all Jews including those who are a part of an interfaith family or home, Jews by Choice, and those exploring Judaism.
Do I need to know how to read or speak Hebrew to attend Services?
No, Temple provides the English transliteration and translation of all Hebrew texts and prayers.
Are babies welcomed at services?
Parents and babies are welcomed throughout Temple Beth-El facilities. The Baby Care Room, designed just for parents to nurse, pump, or feed children in a quiet, private space, is also available for your use. If you choose to use this room, please know it will be available for the duration of services (including High Holy Days) and programs. Additionally, changing tables are available in all restrooms.
More questions and answers coming soon.