Sponsored by: Community You Can Believe In
Food Pantry
Food Pantry
Beth El has a long history of involvement with and support for the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services. You’ll find a bin for food donations at the front entry door and a list of desired items at the end of this page. Hunger is, sadly, ever-present in our communities, including West Hartford and Farmington Valley; the extra can or box of food you buy when you shop will find a welcome home.
Special Food Drive Initiatives
There are many different ways you can help.
A special food drive is held each year during the High Holiday season. Beth El members are encouraged to bring bags of food to the synagogue prior to Yom Kippur. As we fast, we think of those in our community for whom hunger is a part of everyday life.
Every year the religious educational program sponsors a cereal drive. Learners bring one or more boxes of cereal when they come to temple. Congregants are invited to participate as well. Watch Temple Topics and the Shabbat Leaflet for an announcement of this drive and bring your cereal boxes to the educational program.
The Beth El Women's Network created a program for Bat/Bar Mitzvah families to further support the pantry. For $150, Women's Network will decorate food baskets in place of traditional flower arrangements. This is a wonderful mitzvah, for you are feeding the hungry, decorating the Bimah, and sending a powerful message all at the same time! Many families also create food baskets as their table centerpieces at their Simchas and then donate the baskets to the food pantry.
Children are so mindful of hunger in our communities that many request cans of food in lieu of gifts for their birthday parties. As part of the birthday celebration, the children can go to the Pantry or come to Beth El and deliver the food. It’s so heartwarming, and lessons are learned which last a lifetime!
All these Beth El mitzvot are truly helping our neighbors. Let’s try to end hunger right in our own backyard! Now that you know what Beth El is doing for the Food Pantry, you should know why we are doing it.
The Kosher Food Pantry was founded in 2002 when it became apparent there was a need in the community for people who keep kosher to have a place to get food assistance. Over the years, the Food Pantry has extended its reach and now serves people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
The Kosher Food Pantry distributes thousands of dollars of food each month. Supermarket gift cards, cash and checks in all denominations are gratefully accepted. 100% of your donations are used directly for the pantry items purchased.
Below is a list of foods, cleaning & household products & toiletries that are needed. All food has to be unopened & KOSHER. A large box is located at the entrance of Beth El for the collection of these items. About ¾ of all prepackaged food products are kosher. Look for the hechsher symbol. Some of the popular ones are shown below:
Thu, April 18 2024
10 Nisan 5784
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
AprApril 18 , 2024Passover Musical Chat with Cantor Ness
Thursday, Apr 18th 7:00p to 8:00p
Come, listen, and celebrate with Cantor Joseph Ness! Join via the usual Zoom access, which can be found at BethElWestHartford.org/online or in the weekly email. -
Monday ,
AprApril 22 , 2024Fast of the Firstborn Service and Study Session
Monday, Apr 22nd 7:00a to 8:00p
Join us in the chapel or on Zoom! Sponsored by Bob & Susan Gold in memory of Leo Gold. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 28 , 2024
Sunday, Apr 28th 12:15p to 4:00p
For this community hike, we'll meet at Dr. Eliyahu’s house (1021 Mountain Road, Bloomfield, CT) after SULAM enjoys a field day at Schechter. Click in for details and to register! -
Saturday ,
MayMay 4 , 2024Shabbat Playgroup in the Park: May the Fourth Edition!
Shabbat, May 4th 3:00p to 5:00p
Calling all 0-5 year olds and their grown-ups: come find your people at the park! Join Rabbi Zerin, Dr. Eliyahu, and your friends at Beth El for a relaxed Shabbat afternoon at Eisenhower Park. We will provide cold drinks and summer treats! Note: will be canceled in case of rain. RSVPs requested but not required. Click in to RSVP! -
Sunday ,
MayMay 5 , 2024
Sunday, May 5th 6:30a to 10:00p
All 8th – 12th graders are invited to join Dr. Eliyahu Krigel and Marisa Beede for a special trip to NYC for the day to learn about the Jewish immigrant experience. The Masa Program at BET is our new program for 8th – 12th graders. This is a travel impact program that will consist of a combination of meetings which, culminating in a trip. For the first year of the program this year, we will be taking a trip to NYC for the day. We’ll leave on a private bus from the Beth El parking lot at 6:30am on May 5! We’ll be back to Beth El at 10:00pm on May 5. The cost is $50 for Beth El members thanks to the generous support of Men’s Club! During the trip we will visit Ellis Island, The Tenement Museum, and the Top of the Rock. We will also experience Kosher dining in NYC as well. In addition to the trip, we will also gather once before to help plan the trip and once after to reflect on our experience together. Space is limited to 20 students. Please contact Dr. Eliyahu Krigel at ekrigel@bethelwh.org with questions and for more information. Click in to register!