Jewish Federation
About the Jewish Federation
Bet Aviv supports the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Howard County. in their important work to the county and the world. We have a table at the Purim Palooza to share information about our synagogue. Many of our members attend Jewish Federation special events and the Yom Hashoah service in the spring. We provide a link to the Jewish Federation calendar and Federation events in our weekly bulletin, What’s Nu to keep our members apprised of Federation events. We also maintain important Jewish Federation events in our calendar.
Resources
Website:https://www.jewishhowardcounty.org/
Information: info@jewishhowardcounty.org
Kol Nefesh
Kol Nesh conducts a Shabbat service following our Hanukkah Party
About Kol Nefesh
Bet Aviv has a special relationship with Kol Nefesh. Focusing on young adults and families, Kol Nefesh’s goal is to meet the religious, educational, and social needs of a diverse population in a warm, friendly, and service-oriented community. As an equity owner in the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, Bet Aviv has helped Kol Nefesh obtain favorable rates to hold their services at The Meeting House. Kol Nefesh generally holds Shabbat services once a month on the third Friday of the month. Some of the founding families of Kol Nefesh are children of Bet Aviv members. Together we celebrate holidays, such as Hanukkah and Passover to offer multi-generational experiences. Kol Nefesh hosts a children’s service on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mornings, that grandchildren of Bet Aviv members may attend.
Resources:
Website: https://www.kolnefesh.org/
Information: kolnefeshofmd@gmail.com
Interfaith Community
The Interfaith Idea: Alive and Well at The Meeting House
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The planning of Columbia in the 1960’s embraced a balanced blend of idealism and pragmatism. One of the best examples is Columbia’s interfaith concept. The idea was that Interfaith Centers in each of the village centers would serve religious needs more traditionally served by free-standing, separate buildings for churches, synagogues or mosques. Congregations representing the various religions would share a common facility — including sanctuaries – using it on different days of the week.The idea was that Interfaith Centers in each of the village centers would serve religious |
needs more traditionally served by free-standing, separate buildings for churches, synagogues or mosques.
Congregations representing the various religions would share a common facility — including sanctuaries – using it on different days of the week.
The idea was pragmatic, making the best use of space and financial resources. And it was idealistic, in requiring a high degree of cooperation and understanding among the different faiths.The Meeting House Atrium
The Meeting House at Oakland Mills is a fine example of the Interfaith concept in action. From its inception about mre than 30 years ago, the Meeting House has been home to Protestant, Jewish and Catholic congregations. Today, in additon to four Christian churches, it houses the Columbia Jewish Congregation – – an original “owner” from the day that James Rouse helped to cut the ribbon – – and Bet Aviv which has bought into an equity ownership position. Many Bet Aviv members feel an affinity for this special place where people of different faiths come to worship in their own way while sharing a common place.
The Gallery
Since 2011, the Meeting House atrium has become the home of an art Gallery. The Gallery’s mission is to provide a place for local artists and craftspeople to exhibit and sell their work and to beautify the public areas of The Meeting House. Representatives from the congregations of Oakland Mills Interfaith Center serve on the all-volunteer Art Committee, which selects the artists and exhibition themes. Bet Aviv has some talented artists and photographers among it members who regularly exhibit their work in The Gallery.
Interfaith Programs
Since becoming equity owners in Columbia’s Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, commonly known as the Meeting House, Bet Aviv has been an avid participant in Interfaith activities.
As a gesture of friendship, we invited the spiritual leaders of our fellow Meeting House congregations to participate in a Shabbat worship service.
During the aftermath of the tsumani, our cantor and congregants participated in a special Interfaith service to offer healing and financial support to tsunami victims.
In a wonderfully upbeat event, our Bet Aviv choir made its debut performance at the Interfaith Musical Benefit held to support the Vivian Reed Fund. We listened with delight as the children of Bet Yeladim, a Jewish pre-school located at the Meeting House, sang songs that were directed by the Pastor of the Columbia United Christian Church. We learned to appreciate the music of our fellow congregations. Our Bet Aviv choir sang the Hebrew version of Halleluyah and led the participants in the English version towards the end of the concert. As a finale, we all sang We Shall Overcome as one congregation.
Today Bet Aviv is an active participant in all phases of Intefaith life.
Photos
Below you’ll find some links to Bet Aviv photos, past and present. Just click on the any link to see the photos appear in a new window. Just close the new window when you’re done.
Our recent photos are available on our Facebook page.
On May 24, 2025 Rabbi Ken Kanter presented two sessions: Reform Judaism: How our History and Culture has Changed Over the Last 200 Years and The Jews of Broadway and Tin Pan Alley. Rabbi Joseph catered the lunch for us in memory of her father, Peter Joseph.
On April 13, 2025 Rabbi Joseph led us in fun-filled evening celebrating the Second Night Seder.
Singles Club
Members of the Singles Club enjoy dinner at the Stanford Grill.
Bet Aviv is fortunate to have a vibrant and interesting group of single members. We get together in small and large gatherings to go to dinner, the movies, the theater and meet twice a year in member homes for cook outs and pot lucks.
There are no dues, no participation obligations, just a desire to form new friendships and solidify existing ones. You must be a member of Bet Aviv and be an individual on your own.
If you would like to be on the email list, please contact Terri Clayman.
Genealogy Club
The Genealogy Club meets monthly to discuss tools and techniques related to tracing one’s family heritage. The main focus of the club is to help researchers develop skills and become aware of the sources that can be used wherever their ancestors lived. We invite you to join a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to researching their family histories. Membership is open to both Bet Aviv members and the community. For more information contact Joel Weiner.
Temple Book Club
The Temple Book meets once every six weeks to discuss books selected by its members. Membership is open to any Bet Aviv member and both men and women participate. Membership is limited to facilitate discussions where everyone can participate. Contact Sylvia Bloch for more information.
Camera Club
The Camera Club welcomes photographers of all skill and experience levels. Meetings are generally held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Room 300 at The Meeting House. Contact David Blackman to RSVP.
The Camera Club on a field trip to view the Annie Leibovitz exhibit.