The Vision of Congregation Bet Chaverim

Congregation Bet Chaverim is a synagogue whose purpose is to meet the diverse spiritual needs of Jews living in southeast Michigan western counties. Since our members come from many different Jewish backgrounds, and many have spouses and significant others who are not Jewish, we strive to create an environment of friendship where all can find a comfortable home in a pluralistic Jewish community. We primarily use a Reform liturgy, which includes both English translations and interpretations of traditional Hebrew prayers.We follow a spiritual philosophy that calls on us to look for the Sacred Dimension of life in everything we do, both in and outside the congregation. This is accomplished first and foremost by concentrating on the relationships we have with one another as we are instructed to do by the teachings of the Torah, the Prophets and the Sages, and encapsulated in the ethical mitzvot. We look to ritual as a guide to deepening our understanding and experience of the Sacred. We study the Hebrew language as a way of connecting us to historic Jewish culture. We have an open and questioning attitude toward religion, and, while respecting other religions as pathways to the One, our purpose is to offer a connection to Jewish history while creating a framework for adding our own modern contribution to Jewish life. To this end we use all possible communication vehicles and involve as many people as possible in congregational processes. We view all congregational activities as opportunities to learn and experience Value and God. Because the synagogue functions as a type of ideal community, we attempt to learn how to live a better life through congregational activities. We look to make everything we do reflect gimilute hasadim, our acts of loving kindness.

Rabbi Peter K. Gluck,