Volunteer Spotlight

This month we are highlighting the Keruv Committee and the work that its volunteers do to foster inclusion at Beth El

1. What does the Keruv committee do?

The Keruv Committee’s mission is to help make all members of Beth El’s diverse community feel welcomed, included and comfortable. We have subcommittees that focus on inclusion efforts for different groups such as people with mental or physical disabilities, LGBTQ+, intermarried families, Jews of Color, and people who need assistance with technology. People in these groups may at times find it difficult to participate in our Jewish community, and our committee strives to help tackle those obstacles. We do this in numerous ways - such as providing large print siddurim, hearing devices and shtenders (book stands) in the sanctuary, bringing external speakers to teach about inclusion, providing a “Let’s Talk About It” support group to discuss issues relating to intermarriage and interdating, sponsoring Pride Shabbat, sponsoring the “Jew York Pride” contingent at the Pride Parade, welcoming Chai House residents, and matching members to “tech buddies”, just to name a few!

2. Why did you get involved with the Keruv committee?

Members of our committee generally get involved because they or a member of their family falls into one, or many, of the groups who the Keruv Committee aims to support and they want to help make Beth El more inclusive. Carrie Fox, Chair of the Keruv Committee, got involved with Keruv through her work on the Journey Vision team and the Membership Committee.

3. Are there any Keruv committee upcoming events or initiatives that you would like to share?

Saturday, June 24 is our annual Pride Shabbat at Beth El. Rachel Kunstadt, a queer Jewish theater producer and artistic director, will provide a special sermon about reimagining Judaism through a queer lens, and we would like to provide honors to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Please contact Elise Richman (elisekrichman@gmail.com) if you would like to participate by opening the ark, having an Aliya, reading Torah or any other way.

4. How can other Beth El members become involved in this work?

We would be thrilled to have volunteers to help us organize events and implement initiatives. We also welcome ideas of steps we could take to make our community more inclusive. Anyone who wants to get involved should contact Carrie Fox (csfox99@gmail.com) or come to our next Keruv committee meeting on Sunday March 19th at 7:30pm on Zoom (the link will be on www.bethelnr.org/upcomingevents).

Volunteer at Beth El!

Beth El is looking for volunteers to help lead our efforts to expand Beth El’s involvement in the following areas: social action, chesed, and community building/social programming

If you are someone who is looking to get more involved, please contact Stephanie Lederman at