Lifecycle Events

Community happens when we come together to mark the joys and sorrows of lifecycle events.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

At a small congregation like Beth El, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a special day. Our Bnei Mitzvah program challenges each of our bar and bat mitzvah students to step more fully into the tradition she or he is inheriting, while helping each student create a service that reflects his or her unique self in the context of that tradition. Students work in individual tutorials with prayer tutor Julie Zelman and Rabbi Joshua Boettiger throughout their bnei mitzvah year, as well as meeting as a group for an advanced Judaism class all together. The emphasis during the year is on the process of becoming an adult member of Klal Israel, a process in which family members also participate.

Weddings

Rabbi Boettiger works with couples and officiates at weddings for members of the congregation and their families, as well as for couples from out of the area who will be getting married in Vermont, either in Beth El’s sanctuary or in outside venues. He is proud to officiate at same-sex ceremonies. Non-members should contact Rabbi Boettiger directly at rabbi@sover.net.

Funeral / Cemetery

Congregation Beth El has an active men’s and women’s hevre kaddisha (burial society) to help families and assist in carrying out the ancient rites around the loss of a life in the Jewish tradition, including taharah (ritual washing and dressing of the body) and shomrim (sitting with and accompanying the body) in the hours before burial. Rabbi Boettiger officiates at funerals both for members of the community and non-members.