Bet Aviv welcomes anyone of, or with an interest in, the Jewish faith to join our congregation. We offer:

• Shabbat and holiday services
• High Holiday services
• Participation in our adult education, Sisterhood and Men’s Club, and Social Action programs
• Pastoral counseling and life cycle events
• Social activities and more

Our dues are structured to cover our operating expenses. That is our only objective. No members are turned away for inability to afford our dues.

For additional information about membership at Bet Aviv, please contact us.

Dues Letter

Each year our Treasurer sends a letter to our members defining the dues that the congregation approved at the last annual meeting. The letter contains links to the Dues Payment Form, the Associate Membership Policy and the Dues Policy.  Click here for the letter.

Membership Handbook

Bet Aviv has written a Membership Handbook to summarize important points about Bet Aviv.  We encourage members to read it as it answers most of the questions you will have about Bet Aviv.  To read the Bet Aviv Handbook, please click here.

Membership Forms

For your convenience, we provide the membership application form in two formats.  If you have Microsoft Word, then click on the Word version to download the form and fill it out on-line.  Or if you prefer, print either the pdf or Word form, then fill it out by hand and mail it with your payment to our office.

• New member application form (PDF)
• New member application form (Word)

Bet Aviv encourages all prospective members to review our website to get an initial sense for our values. One of the best ways to get to know us is by attending a Shabbat service. So that we can be prepared to welcome you, we ask that you contact Lori Kassoff, our membership chair to let her know you’re coming. Lori can answer any questions you might have.  Once you join, you’ll receive a Welcome Bag with goodies, music and information, that we think you’ll find useful, as well as your name tags, which we hope you will wear to future Shabbat services so that we can learn your name.

During the year Bet Aviv hosts two events specifically geared to new members.

New Member Shabbat

Once a year we highlight members who have joined within the previous year at our New Member Shabbat. New members participate in our service as candle lighters, readers and in the Torah service. It’s a warm tradition that Bet Aviv uses to make our new members feel welcome and part of our family.

New Member Reception

In the fall of each year, we invite our new members to come to a get together whose purpose is three-fold. First we want to impart information about Bet Aviv and answer any questions you might have. Second, it’s a chance for our leaders and Rabbi to get to know our new members. Last, but certainly not least, it’s a chance for our new members to get to know each other in an informal atmosphere. Our goal is to make you feel welcome and let you know the various ways that you can become involved at Bet Aviv.

IT’S TIME TO BE THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION IN YOUR LIFE

By being an adult oriented congregation, its all about you and others like you. The education programs are for adults. The social action programs are those where adults can participate to make a difference. The services are adult-themed without Bar or Bat Mitzvah orientation. Together, we share issues of aging parents, preparation for retirement, and downsizing — we have moved on from being our kids’ social directors and chauffeurs.

FEEL THE PEACE AND JOY OF SHABBAT

Come join us at Shabbat services to learn from the thought-provoking teachings of our rabbi, Linda Joseph. Experience the joy of singing led by our cantor, Stephanie Weishaar. Feel a great sense of community as we join hands and sing the blessings at our Oneg Shabbats. Our members reach out to make guests and new members feel at home. We respect diversity and welcome couples, singles, and those in interfaith relationships into our family.

BROADEN YOUR JEWISH EDUCATION THROUGH RICH AND DIVERSE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Do you want to learn more about the history of the liturgy or about humor in Jewish literature? Would you enjoy taking guided tours to places of Jewish significance? Are you ready for the interesting, inspiring ideas generated by our annual Gene Klein Scholar in Residence program? Bet Aviv provides a wealth of learning opportunities to satisfy your thirst for knowledge.

FULFILL YOUR DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD THROUGH VOLUNTEERING

As an organization that thrives on volunteer efforts, we welcome your experience and knowledge in contributing to our congregation as well as through supporting existing community efforts like Adopt-a-Road, Grassroots and the Soup Kitchen in Baltimore. Or gather a group to support your favorite cause — at Bet Aviv there are sure to be others who will help. Whether you want to mentor a school child, beautify the environment, assist in providing food for the homeless and needy, or help out with administrative tasks, Bet Aviv has a place for you.

BASK IN THE WARMTH OF COMMUNITY AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Take advantage of our social events to make new friends and have fun. Both our Men’s Club and Sisterhood offer a full range of programs and projects that encourage social interaction. Join us for trips to the theater, anniversary celebrations, lively discussions, and our annual Passover seder — just a sample of exciting events open to Bet Aviv members.

This page summarizes what you need to know about joining Bet Aviv.