Our temple began November of 2003 in response to a call for a small, “haemishe” neighborhood synagogue in West Boca. Since our founding, we have felt proud to self-identify as a cohesive and warm community, offering compelling, modern style of worship, spiritual support, community-wide social action projects and quality education under the guidance of our spiritual leaders. Beginning with our founding spiritual leader Cantor Bruce Benson then Cantor Ellen Stettner and continuing today under Rabbi-Cantor Sharon Steinberg.

Our programs and activities – extending synagogue life beyond worship – are all at a very affordable price with no building fund or constant requests for money to our members. While opportunities to support our community are always available, we do find the soft approach to be more appropriate. You will find many opportunities to connect with the community, rejoice in our proud Jewish heritage, enjoy cultural and social events, work together toward tikkun olam (social action) and share talents and skills in a warm and caring environment.

Central to synagogue life at Beth Shira is worship and song. We offer two distinct styles of Shabbat services. A more traditional service on the third Friday of each month is held in the chapel at Temple Beth Shalom in Century Village, Boca. This service offers a meaningful traditional reform service utilizing the URJ’s siddur “Mishkan T’fillah” and traditional reform music. On the first Friday of each month we offer something of a more modern approach and little more out of the norm. Our services on the first Friday take place café’ style at the South County Civic Center with people sitting at round tables and offering an optional pre-service shabbat dinner. For this service, the siddur is projected on a screen, and the congregational band accompanies this uplifting pop-style musical service. Several times a year this service becomes a themed service such as “Beatles Shabbat”, “Broadway Shabbat” and “Classic Rock Shabbat.”

In addition to worship, our synagogue has opportunities for adult education (bi-weekly Torah study and private teaching), social action projects and social events through our Men’s Club, Sisterhood and Chaveirot (friendship circles). Our caring community committee reaches out to members to watch over us, especially as we go through difficulties. As a small congregation, we aim to build community – and each person has a role to play in our success, and we hope that you will choose to join us.

Our main means of communication is our weekly email, “Tuesday Tidbits,” our website TempleBethShira.org and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/TempleBethShira. If you are not receiving “Tuesday Tidbits” (on Tuesday afternoons) once you have returned your forms please be in touch with us at 561-912-1453 or info@TempleBethShira.org. If you need to reach the Rabbi directly please email Rabbi@TempleBethShira.org or call her study at 561-705-7329.

L’shalom,
The Leadership of Temple Beth Shira.