Beth El – Keser Israel Events for July 2025

Sanctuary Redesign

BEKI’s main sanctuary has re-opened after months of construction. The redesigned space features a new torah ark on an accessible bimah, individual chairs rather than pews, and various other renovations. A dedication ceremony will be held in September.

Art by Amy Reichert 

The designer of BEKI’s new torah ark, Amy Reichert, is not only an award-winning architect, but also a designer of Jewish ritual objects for both synagogues and homes. Photographs illustrating the breadth of her creative talents are on display this summer in BEKI’s gallery space. 

Reichert, a graduate of Yale University, where she received her B.A. and Master in Architecture, currently lives in Chicago where—in addition to pursuing her craft—she teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work can be found in the collections of The Jewish Museum in New York, The Jewish Museum in Vienna, the Yale University Art Gallery, and the San Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum. 

To arrange a time to visit the exhibition, email office@beki.org.

Children’s Programs

BEKI’s K-6 religious school, called BINA, is accepting registrations from member and non-member families through the BEKI office, 203.389.2108 x114 or office@beki.org. School resumes in September.

Children's Havura, K-2 Kehila, and Junior Congregation, all led by parent or grandparent volunteers, meet each Saturday, including during the summer. For more information, consult Education Director Annie Norman-Schiff at anormanschiff@beki.org.

Jennifer Quaye-Hudson 

Jennifer Quaye-Hudson, Advocacy Director of Open Communities Alliance (OCA), will speak at BEKI on Saturday, August 2. Register for this event at office@beki.org. Founded in 2013, OCA is a civil rights organization that works to redress generations of discriminatory actions and policies based on race, ethnicity, and income in order to create open and inclusive housing opportunities in historically exclusionary communities. Sabbath rules will be observed.

———

BEKI is located at 85 Harrison Street (corner of Whalley Avenue - Route 63 - in Westville)