Beth Am Shared Identity Project

Our Beth Am Shared Identity Project is now underway. We are focused on YOU and YOUR needs and hopes for your Jewish life, community and future. This project depends on each of you, and will help Beth Am build a better Jewish future for our congregation. Says project lead Jim Heeger, “It’s a personal look forward that will help define Beth Am’s core purpose, values and inform our strategic direction for years to come.” (Watch/listen to Rabbi Arthur Nemtioff's Erev Shabbat sermon "Finding Our Purpose: Shared Visioning".)

We look forward to your sharing what is most important to your Jewish identity and that of your family’s. We are hoping that many of you will now volunteer to have a one-to-one conversation. Our 20+ listeners are trained and have had their initial “beta” discussions. “I love getting to know more of our members and finding out what is most meaningful to them,” said Daryl Messinger, a project lead and a listener. “These conversations are making me realize what a wonderful, diverse and caring community we have.”

These are confidential conversations lasting 45-60 minutes and can take place at Beth Am, in your home or on Zoom. To sign up for a one-on-one confidential conversation with one of our “listeners," please complete this form (or click on an orange "Request a Conversation" button on this page). Steve Carlson, our Project Manager, will then connect you to a listener who will get you scheduled. Steve’s email, if you wish to contact him directly is statmanc@comcast.net.

Here is the timeline for this project: 

• February-April: One-to-One Conversations 
• Late March-April: Congregation-wide Survey 
• April and May: Small group discussions to further refine our conclusions
• June 8: Report our findings and initial conclusions at our Annual Meeting

Please participate and help make a difference for the future of Beth Am. Thank you!