History of Bet Chaverim
Community Synagogue of South King County
In February 1989, a small chavurah (group) decided to hold a Shabbat service for the south King County Jewish community. The members decided to hold a meeting to discover if there was sufficient interest to form a synagogue in this area. Surprisingly,more than 100 people overflowed the tiny downtown East Kent Library. On April 15, 1989, the dream became a reality, under Roy Golub's leadership. The Community Synagogue of South King County was born. Although this name fit us in location,it didn't give us a Jewish identity. So, after a couple of years, our religious school children held a contest to re-name our synagogue. The winning name was Bet Chaverim (House of Friends) and it fit us perfectly!
From the start, it was clear that this would be a family-oriented synagogue, with quality education for children and adults,observing Jewish traditions and rituals, and providing a friendly and diversified community which would nuture and enrich the Jewish soul. Through the years, we have moved to different locations. We were fortunate to find a "temporary" home in the Saltwater Universalist Church, in Des Moines, Washington, and have been renting there for over 15 years. Through the years, members of our congregation have performed lay-led services, holiday services, and taught in our Sunday school, as well as volunteer for special events, fundraisers, and various other functions of our community. Our congregation has been very blessed to have an active choir since its beginning. Our all-volunteer choir supports Bet Chaverim, with joyous music from various music composers and has been a favorite presence in the past for Folk Life Festivals. Music is such a universal language and our choir "speaks" to everyone with their talents and dedication during Shabbat services, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, Passover, and High Holidays. We have had three wonderful rabbis in our employ, over the years, leading our services and community life-cycle events. Our first rabbi, Ted Stainman, served as our rabbi for ten years, retiring in 2005. Rabbi Zari Weiss, served our community for two years, 2006-2007. Student Rabbi Amy Rossel was with us until Aug. 2009. We have grown and been enriched with their leadership, teachings, and spirituallity. We currently have Rabbi Richard Harkavy to lead and inspire us.
Bet Chaverim continues to be the nucleus for Reform Judaism in the South King County area. We are a small, but thriving community of committed members who have seen our organization grow from a fledgling chavurah into a progressive, dynamic synagogue. We welcome and invite new members to be a part of our ongoing growth and goals for our continued future!
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Bet Chaverim’s 20th Anniversary The Second Decade By Rhoda Liston 6/14/2009
Once more we gather together Like proverbial birds of a feather Ten more years have gone by My, my how they fly And through all variations of weather.
Rabbi Ted and Barb on the go Moved east to Colorado Rabbis Zari and Leah filled in But once again we had to begin Our search for a rabbi—just so…
In 2008 things got cool A student rabbi needed a shul And so it came to pass That Amy –that fair lass (And Justin) joined our pool.
Our wonderful choir still enthralls Teri and Susan G.—originals Brett and other also Neil on guitar, Mark the piano Their music just fills all the halls.
Our newsletter editors changed As peoples’ lived rearranged After Bea, Barb was there Now Grechen is here And Lynne proofreads through the whole range.
Over the years Sisterhood’s become known And their good reputation has grown Raised funds on the way Sandy’s Pres. of Pac. District WRJ Head and shoulders they just stand alone.
This year JTNews had a “best of” We won in three categories, my love We were “best congregation” “Adult Education” “Planning celebration”, ---- Mazel Tov!!
Members come and go Through one means or another But we’re grateful they were part of us Friend, sibling, father, mother
Boys were bar mitzvahed And girls bat mitzvahed too They all grew up, some moved away
To see what they could do. So now we must regroup With our stalwart board on hand And continue to support them In any way we can. =========================== (Tune: Campton Races) Our second decade’s come and gone Doo dah, doo dah Yes, there’s lots more to be done Oh doo dah day But we’re alive and growing strong Doo dah, doo dah If we’re together we can’t go wrong Oh doo dah day.
Whatever comes our way We’ll weather what e’er life sends And keep on going on and on And still be House of Friends.
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