Life Cycles

Beth Sholom is a part of congregants' lives throughout the year for many Jewish life-cycle events.  From birth on, BST helps families with the following life events.  

Birth

B'nai Mitzvah

Confirmation

Conversion

Marriage

Death & Mourning, Burial

For more information on each event, see the individual sections below.

To Schedule an Event or Rent a BST Facility, see the links to the right.

Beth Sholom is blessed with a vibrant youth population that is invested in Jewish Learning and making the world around them a better place! At BST, we encourage the pursuit of B'nai Mitzvah not just for our youth, but for all our members, and have had adult congregants called to the Torah just as enthusiastically. An updated B'nai Mitzvah Manual can be found below. Feel free to download and start preparing today!

B'nai Mitzvah Manual

B'nai Mitzvah Prayers

Click the link here to visit our playlist of practice prayers on Soundcloud, or listen directly on the site! These were recorded by Cantor Laurie Weinstein for the benefit of those students preparing for B'nai Mitzvah.

Beth Sholom Temple's congregation is a melting pot for people of all backgrounds: those raised Orthodox, Conservative, Independent, & Reform, and those who are Jewish by choice! If you are interested in converting to Judaism, please start a conversation with our Outreach Committee and start getting involved. Come to services, holidays, and other events, volunteer, and get to know our diverse and thriving Jewish community. We are happy to meet you and help you on your journey towards Judaism! Below, please find links to useful resources as supplied by our Outreach Chairperson.

The Union for Reform Judaism website:

https://www.reformjudaism.org/

Required class for conversion at Beth Sholom:

https://reformjudaism.org/learning/judaism-classes/introduction-judaism/introduction-judaism-online-classes

A great booklist for learning about Judaism.

https://www.chicagocarless.com/2011/05/09/become-a-jew-in-28-easy-books/

A reliable website for all things Jewish:

www.myjewishlearning.org

Beth Sholom Temple understands the solemnity and grief that accompanies the passing of a loved one. Our Lay Leadership, Caring Committee, and congregants are here to support you and your family as you say your final good-byes. 

If you experience a death in your family, please don't hesitate to reach out to the President of our Board of Directors. If you cannot reach him, please contact our Vice President of Religious Life, or the office, with whatever details you are comfortable sharing. It is our custom to announce our condolences to our congregation and to gather around our bereaved, offering comfort and stepping in to help as needed.

Beth Sholom can also provide for Memorial Services and even serve for Shiva purposes for families when needed. Contact the office to coordinate these details.  

Beth Sholom Temple owns a limited number of cemetery plots at Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg. See below for information on purchasing a lot.

IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN FOR CEMETERY LOTS

Beth Sholom Temple owns a limited number of cemetery plots at Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg. The cost for a plot for members is $1900.00 and for nonmembers is $2100.00. Please contact Bob Gettlin for further information on cemetery plots at robert@gettlin.com or 540-898-2588.