Beit Klal Yisrael

"..we know that in being Jews we must not give anything up, not renounce anything but lead everything back to Judaism,
from the periphery back to the centre; from the outside, in."
Franz Rosenzweig

Who are we?
Beit Klal Yisrael was established in March 1990.

BKY is a congregation committed to a creative engagement with contemporary Judaism, which recognises the true diversity of Jewish experience.
We welcome all new members and participants, especially those who are distanced or estranged from many facets of contemporary Jewish community life. Many people have found that life in and around traditional synagogues offers only a conditional welcome, no real place and no recognition of their legitimate needs as Jewish people.
Hence our name, Beit Klal Yisrael, House of all Israel. Many of us feel, or are told, that we are on the periphery, that the centre of Judaism is somewhere else. If this congregation has any single purpose it is to establish firmly that the centre is equally in each and every committed Jew, in each of us as much as it is anywhere, because:"It is … a matter ..of finding the way …into the heart of our life. And of being confident that this heart is a Jewish heart. For we are Jews."Beit Klal Yisrael has recently affiliated to Liberal Judaism, and is a member of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organisations.

What do we do?
• We hold regular services
on the first and third Friday evening and second and fourth Saturday morning of each month.
• We celebrate all the major festivals
including a communal Seder on the second night of Pesach. Our festival celebrations are known for their richness and intensity, and the warm welcome they offer our members, friends and guests.
• We are committed to Jewish study and learning
There are opportunities for Jewish study and learning, which allow you to encounter Judaism freshly, or for the first time, as an adult.
• We have a varied cultural programme
including discussion groups, speakers, folk dancing and lesbian events.
• We mark life cycle events
for all members of the community in ways that are Jewishly meaningful.

Who do we welcome? Everyone, but especially:
• Jewish women and men who may not think themselves as formally religious, that is, as pious or observant, but who do have Jewish issues, questions and concerns (spiritual/existential/ethical/moral) they want to engage with.
• Lesbian Jews and gay Jews
• Patrilineal Jews (children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers)
• Jewish women who want to work out an independent and challenging relation, as women, to Judaism and being Jewish.
• People who are for one reason or another on their own and who would feel more comfortable in an organisation which emphasises individual presence and participation.
• Jewish women and men whose partners, though not Jewish, wish to be supportive and participate in the life of the congregation as "Friends of the Congregation".

Services Every first and third Friday of the month 7.00 p.m.
Every second and fourth Saturday morning of the month 10.30 a.m.We share a kiddush after our Friday evening and Shabbat morning services, so please bring vegetarian food to share.
When there is a 5th weekend in the month, no service that weekend.
For venue details please contact the Beit Klal Yisrael phone line on: 020 8960-5750

Our Rabbi
Sheila Shulman, a graduate of the Leo Baeck College, is Rabbi of the community.
She came to the rabbinate out of a long experience of secular Judaism, political activism and radical feminism. She has left none of this behind.

Events

HIGH HOLY DAYS 2004
For venue and further details ring the BKY phoneline: 020 8960 5750
Free to BKY members; £10 for each service for visitors, or £30 for all services. Concessions available for students and unemployed people. Cheques payable to 'Beit Klal Yisrael' can be sent to BKY, P.O. Box 1828, London W10 5RT up to 10th September, with a note specifying which service/s, plus your name. Tickets will NOT be sent out. Alternatively, payment can be made at the door at each service.

Rosh Hashanah Erev Wednesday 15th September, 7.00 p.m.
Rosh Hashanah Day Thursday 16th September, 10.30 a.m.
Bring a vegetarian dish to share, or fruit juice/wine.
Kol Nidre Friday 24th September, 7.00 p.m.
Yom Kippur Saturday 25th September, 10.30 a.m.
BKY will provide a snack buffet to break the fast.

Sukkot Wednesday 29th September, 7.00 p.m.
Bring a vegetarian dish to share, or fruit juice/wine.
Simchat Torah Wednesday 6th October, 7.00 p.m.
Bring a vegetarian dish to share, or fruit juice/wine.

Contact Us Beit Klal Yisrael P.O. Box 1828 London W10 5RT
Tel. 020 8960 5750
This phoneline exists to provide information concerning the BKY programme of Shabbat services, festival celebrations and other events. The phoneline is maintained by members of the community, who may not always be able to respond immediately to calls.
Please do not ring the phoneline during Shabbat, festivals or after 10.00 p.m.
Email: beit_klal_yisrael@bigfoot.com