The philosophy at Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid is based on the belief that Judaism is a dynamic, progressive way of life. Our members cherish the traditions and practices of Judaism while adapting ourselves to current times. At Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid, we welcome traditional and interfaith families, as well as participation from non-Jewish partners and their extended families. Women enjoy full participation in all religious services, including being counted as part of our Minyan and receiving honors.
We are more than just religion. We are about community. We are about family. We are about helping hands. Since 1959, many things have changed in our Synagogue - our building, our name and our congregational family. The one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to Judaism, to our community and to each other. We invite you to join our family and help us work together to fulfill our goal.
Rabbi Barry Blum, a native Philadelphian, was raised in Overbrook Park. He has served as the Spiritual Leader for Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid for over 16 years. Rabbi Blum believes, “our congregation is large enough to offer you the full range of religious, social and community activities and small enough for each member to make an important difference.” His community work includes serving as past president of the Marple Newtown Clergy Association and Chaplain for several local nursing homes through Jewish Children and Family Services. During a portion of each summer, he is the Camp Rabbi at Camp B’nai B’rith in Starlight, Pennsylvania, serving as a Judaism Specialist.
Rabbi Blum shares a passion for Israel having visited there nine times on missions and family milestones. On Shabbat and holidays, our traditional services incorporate innovative readings and Torah study to meet the needs of today’s congregants. Many of Rabbi Blum’s programs are a blend of tradition and innovation including:
Creative Second Day Rosh Hashanah Service
Blessing of the Animals
Healing Service
Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Mitzvah Magic: Spreading his acts of kindness to those in need
Basic Judaism Conversion Class
Purim Dinner and One-of-a-kind Megillah Reading
Intergenerational Services and Programs at Martins Run Retirement Community
Rabbi and Amy are the proud parents of Ira and Shoshana, who have grown up in our synagogue, and are actively involved in our
community.
Hazzan Hilton Maze was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. As a young boy, he sang in his synagogue choir where his love for Jewish music was born. From pre-Bar Mitzvah age, he had the opportunity of conducting services in the main sanctuary of his home synagogue. His natural ability and emotional style were recognized and he was encouraged to study Cantorial music in the United States.
Hazzan Maze transmits his passion for music to our students through his creative approach to prayer and song. He holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In 1999 he graduated from the Cantorial Program at Gratz College where he obtained a M.A. in Jewish Music. Before joining Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid in 2000, he served a Hazzan in Philadelphia.
A lyric tenor with a wide range of performing experience, Hazzan Maze has maintained an intense interest in Cantorial Music through his continued studies with world renowned Cantor and musician, Hazzan Daniel Gildar. He is also active in the Jewish Community on a local and national level and serves on the Board of Directors of Boys Town Jerusalem.
Since 2000, Hazzan Maze has brought his spiritual style of prayer and his love of children to Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid. Hazzan and Alisa have two daughters, Gabriella and Zoe, and reside in Wynnewood.
Sisterhood is the heart and foundation of our Synagogue through its social programs, community service and mitzvah projects. Every year Sisterhood organizes events including:
Sisterhood Book Club
Spring Bid’n Buy
Good and Services Auction
Mah Jongg Game Nights
Progressive Dinner
All-Women Shabbat Service
Our Award-Winning Purim Baskets (over 1,400 homemade hamantashen!)
Membership is free and we encourage all women to join us and build lifelong friendships within our synagogue family.
The Men’s Club is constantly on the go. From planning Phillies outings to plays at the Swarthmore Players Theater, Sunday brunches with guest speakers, th American Red Cross Blood Drive, and many more activities that are of particular interest to the gentlemen of the congregation. Membership is free and all men are encouraged to attend our monthly meetings.
Around the synagogue, the Men’s Club members help deliver Purim packages, build the Sukkah, and make latkes for the Religious School students. Whether you’re at our annual Men’s Club Shabbat, Poker Night or at Monday Night Minyan and Football, the Men’s Club is the perfect way to build friendships and camaraderie amongst our synagogue members.
Judaism comes to life through Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid’s Religious School! Experienced educators combine their love for Judaism and learning with a commitment to a contemporary curriculum, designed to engage and challenge our students. Creative programming and hands on learning enable all children to question, explore and experience Judaism first hand. Hebrew language, prayer, bible, ethics, Jewish holidays, customs, traditions and history are key components of our program. Learning through the arts-drama, music, crafts, and dance afford students the opportunity to embrace their own learning styles and reinforce concepts.
Judaism is taught through creative programs such as:
Cooking for a friend
Interfaith Seder
Religious school computer lab
Purim Carnival
Pajama Shabbat
Dance Marathon
Three to five year olds engage in Shabbat Tot morning services and their own High Holiday services. Children experience holidays, customs and traditions through fun, themed programs throughout the year. We encourage the children to find comfort and pride in their Jewish identity. Our entire congregational community embraces and welcomes our youngest learners.
Kindergarten / Gan Class:
Grades 1 & 2 / Mechina I and II Classes
To continue their learning, Kindergarteners and first and second graders attend a weekly class on Sunday mornings. Through story, songs, games and text, the students learn about Torah, Jewish holidays, the Hebrew alphabet, history and prayer.
Students in grades 3 to 7 attend Religious School two days per week: Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Interactive learning continues to build on the foundations set in prior years.
Our Junior Congregation services are held on Shabbat mornings during the school year. This service, using a progressively designed prayer book, provides our students an opportunity to both learn prayer and lead services. Families are always welcome and encouraged to attend with their children. As an extension of Junior Congregation, each class prepares a unique service leading the congregation in song and prayer. Additionally, Friday Night Family Services foster participation from generation to generation.
This program is available for any student requiring special assistance in conjunction with the Religious School program. For more information, please contact the School office at 610-356-8700.
At Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid, each child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah is treated as a special milestone, marking the transition into adulthood. Together with their parents and families, the synagogue communit nurtures, develops, and prepares students for their acceptance of Jewish responsibility. We take pride in knowing that these students have been taught the foundations necessary that will lead them into Jewish young adulthood. Instruction begins 11 months before the ceremony. In addition, each child implements an individualized Mitzvah project that enhances the meaning of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
All students who participate in post Bar/Bat Mitzvah education are eligible for confirmation. Innovative programming focuses on Mitzvot and community service and is designed to maintain and amplify feelings of Jewish pride and community. This gives young adults an opportunity to put their classroom experience into actions.
Beth El - Ner Tamid teens are also actively engaged in B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), United Synagogue Youth (USY), and Community Youth Initiative (CYI) programs. Many students return to the school as classroom aides or tutors.
The Trustees are a group dedicated to supporting and planning special events and programs at the synagogue. Each year the Trustees award scholarships to Religious School students, sponsor the Teacher of the Year and the Student of the Year awards, and underwrite programs and events including the world famous “Art Spieller Sports Night” dinner. The Trustees eagerly welcome all synagogue members to join and take an active role. From volunteering their time or planning special events, the Board of Trustees is always working behind the scenes.
Adult Education is a very lively and interesting part of our synagogue. Learn to Read Hebrew classes, Conversion Class, Sunday Morning Minyan and Study Group, and the Jewish Book Club are some of the opportunities we offer to enrich and stimulate your intellectual side. Classes are offered at all skill levels. We have something for everyone!
The synagogue’s Gift Shop features a full line of traditional and contemporary Judaica including Yarmulkes, Tallitot, Mezzuzot, and jewelery. In addition to our extensive offerings of religious and secular gifts, we also carry a complete line of kosher wines for any taste. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you with all your simcha and life cycle event purchases.
Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid Religious School is happy to affiliate with Schoolpop.com. Schoolpop is associated with more than 300 online, store and catalog merchants. Up to 20 percent of each purchase will benefit the school of your choice at no cost to you. A personal credit card is also available with 1 percent purchase benefit for our school. Please try shopping here and choose our religious school to receive your benefits.