Membership FAQs

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Find yourself, and all of this, in our community!

 

Why should I get involved in a congregation?

A raft of reasons including the opportunity to connect meaningfully with other Jews, work for tikkun olam—improving our world, to give from your heart, to explore your spirit, to celebrate old rituals with new understanding, to reflect on who you are, to grow in wisdom, to draw strength during difficult moments, to sing joyously in Hebrew, to question—and find answers—with integrity, to live each day inspired by Jewish heritage, to build the Jewish future, to engage with humanity and divinity, history and the present—all at the same moment.

Who can join Temple Beth Torah?

We welcome any individual, couple, or family where at least one adult is Jewish. This includes people in interfaith relationships, GLBT, and those of diverse ethnicities. If you are Jewish, but your spouse/partner is not, both of you are considered members unless you request otherwise. For 75 years, our members have made Temple Beth Torah a wonderful place to worship, learn, find community, volunteer, and grow throughout the times and seasons of their lives. There is a place for you here—for today and for the future.

How do I become a part of this community?

First, get to know us. Attend services and events. Explore the programs we offer, the opportunities to grow in wisdom from Torah and Jewish text. Sit in on a Torah School or preschool class or a social action meeting. Get a glimpse of how being part of TBT can help you find fulfillment by giving of yourself. Meet new people. Unlock the spirituality of Jewish holidays. Talk with our rabbi, educators, cantor and congregants.

Then, speak to us about membership. We are committed to being a fair-share dues congregation. No one is denied membership due to financial constraints. It is affordable! We want you to be a part of our preschool if you are a young family, our Torah School as you are raising children, our vibrant youth activities as you are strengthening your child’s Jewish identity. We want you to be part of our worship, study and adult activities that bring us together regularly to socialize, do mitzvah work in our community, learn, and celebrate.

What benefits will I find at TBT?

  • Clergy to create and officiate once-in-a-lifetime moments, like weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, baby namings, funerals, conversions
  • Torah School and Family learning opportunities from preschool through 12th grade
  • Creative, interactive, nurturing preschool programs featuring both Judaic and secular curriculum
  • Personal counseling from our Rabbi; a connection to and guidance from our  Educational Directors
  • Social events through our Havurot (friendship groups,) Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and women’s Rosh Hodesh (spirituality) groups, to name a few.
  • Social Action opportunities
  • A community with which to celebrate Shabbat, High Holy Days, and Holidays
  • Adult Lifelong Learning and Adult B’nei Mitzvah
  • An invitation to Temple leadership
  • A contemporary Judaic library
  • VCTRY—one of Southern California’s leading youth groups!
  • Scholarships for youth—Torah School, Jewish camps, Israel trips
  • Cemetery plots in the Jewish section of Ivy Lawn
  • A place to say Kaddish, place Memorial plaques and receive yahrzeit notices

How many members does TBT have?

We currently count over 300 families among our membership.

What if I can’t afford membership dues?

We have dues reductions available for anyone who needs it. Contact us for more information. No one will be turned away due to their inability to pay.

Where do I learn more?

For more information download our welcome brochure, call us at 805 647-4181, or email our Membership Director.

 

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