TOUCHING THE
LIVES OF ISRAELIS
Strengthening KBY congregations makes progressive Judaism more accessible
to the vast majority of Israelis who yearn for an
alternative to the orthodox approach to Judaism.
STRENGTHENING
THE JEWISH STATE
Contributing to KBY makes a positive statement to Israel about the value,
validity and authenticity of progressive Judaism by strengthening and
empowering the 50+ Reform and Conservative kehillot in Israel.
|
|
Kibbutz Gezer – Kehilat Birkat Shalom
Rabbi Miri Gold
President Joel Weingarten
Kibbutz Gezer
Shimshon Mobile Post 99786 ISRAEL
Phone: 011-972-8-927-0646
Fax: 011-972-8-927-0655
E-mail:
birkatshalom@gezer.org.il
Also Visit
www.birkatshalom.net |
|
|

Kehilat Birkat Shalom is located at Kibbutz Gezer, near historic Tel
Gezer, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
About Birkat
Shalom Flyer (pdf)
(please print copies and
distribute)
 A
Regional Base
Kehilat Birkat Shalom is located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv near
the Biblical site of Tel Gezer, not far from Ben Gurion Airport.
The congregation serves the regional communities, offering a liberal
Jewish alternative for lifecycle and holiday events. With
approximately 100 member families, Birkat Shalom offers a warm and
inviting community to people living in the Gezer Regional Council area
near Ramla and other surrounding communities.
Rabbi Miri Gold (HUC Jerusalem ’99) and the congregants place great
emphasis on bridge-building between the Diaspora and Israel, and
welcome visitors from abroad to participate in Kabbalat Shabbat
services, and tours of the synagogue and neighboring Pinat Shorashim,
a Jewish educational park rooted in Jewish sources, which strives to
strengthen Jewish identity and to explore the role that Eretz Yisrael
plays in the lives of Diaspora Jews as well as working with Israeli
school children to show them the importance of Judaism in their lives.
The congregation also
promotes tolerance and religious pluralism, and strives for social
justice in its activities.
In addition to the yearly workshop sessions for Bnei Mitzvah, Tu
Bishvat seder, and outdoor Shavuot festivities, one of the highlights
every year is the Simchat Torah celebration in the outdoor sanctuary
at Pinat Shorashim, which draws over 300 people, from over fifteen
communities, for hakafot with live music. For many of the
participants, it is the first time they have seen a Torah scroll
close-up, or have an opportunity to dance with the Torah.

 Celebrating
a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
or other event
Kehilat Birkat Shalom is happy to host individuals or congregational
groups from abroad. In the summer, we offer groups the option of
participating in Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat services in the
outdoor sanctuary, followed by a catered Shabbat dinner, an
interesting and memorable experience.
|
|
|
Social
Justice
The congregation works in cooperation with Pinat Shorashim to provide
monthly programming for prisoners in a rehabilitation program.
In addition the congregation has an ongoing relationship with a
volunteer association which provides food and clothing for new
immigrants and other needy people in the neighboring towns of Lod &
Ramla, and is involved with the Volunteer Department of the Municipality
of Ramla, working as "big brothers", assisting single-parent immigrant
families and the like.
Birkat Shalom provides weekly transportation to and from the synagogue
so that South American immigrants living in the area can attend Shabbat
and holiday events.
Our Synagogue, a converted
classroom.

(Click for a larger view)
|
|
|
KBY is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable, tax-exempt
organization. Contributions to KBY are tax-deductible,
to the fullest
extent permitted by U.S. tax laws.
KBY is also registered with the NY State (NYS) Dept. of Law,
Charities Bureau.
KBY's IRS registration and current Form
990 filing is posted under "Administration"
and
available from the IRS or NYS.
Copyright © 2007 KBY Congregations Together, Inc.
|