Our Vision, Constitution, & History

Our Vision

Beth Sholom Temple is an inclusive community that supports each person's Jewish journey. We welcome those who were born to Jewish parents and those who have chosen Judaism; interfaith families and single parents; and people of any age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, income level, ability, or cultural background. Beth Sholom is proud to be diverse and open to all who wish to learn about and practice Judaism. We are affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism but people from all backgrounds are a part of our family.

Beth Sholom is the heartbeat of Jewish living in the Greater Fredericksburg area, guided by the principles of Torah and based on the covenant between God and the Children of Israel. We are dedicated to warm, spiritual worship, educating the young and young at heart, fostering open and responsive leadership, and caring for the wider community. We welcome all to share our vibrant Jewish experience.

Our History

Established on May 26th, 1936, Beth Sholom Temple (BST) prides itself on a welcoming atmosphere that embraces a variety of Jewish traditions and expressions. We are a diverse group with varied backgrounds and a range of traditions that include classical and contemporary Reform, more traditional Conservative and Orthodox Judaism. We live in many different areas including the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Orange, Westmoreland, Caroline, Fauquier and Loudon and the cities of Fredericksburg, Culpeper, Manassas and Warrenton.

We fulfill our role in the Jewish community in four areas. BST is a:

• Beit Knesset (a House of Gathering). Our members are engaged in such activities as the VYBS (Virginia Youth of Beth Sholom) youth group, Sisterhood, and Bagel Bar.
• Beit Tefillah (a House of Prayer). We celebrate Shabbat and the full Jewish calendar of festivals and holidays throughout the year.
• Beit Midrash (a House of Study). We offer full service Religious and Hebrew school programs, including Adult Education sessions and Torah Study, and host a lending library of Jewish books and materials. We send our leaders and educators to forums to enhance their Jewish learning.
• Beit Am (a House of Community). Our Social Action volunteers and Temple community take part in causes of the greater Fredericksburg area in the Jewish tradition of "tikkun olam" (repairing the world). These four areas provide our members with a variety of opportunities to satisfy their interests and encourage involvement.

BST welcomes you to join us. Membership is open to individuals and households in which at least one adult is Jewish, and in special cases, to minors with the consent and membership of a guardian. Our membership includes both Jews by birth and Jews by choice. Our congregation includes and welcomes families of interfaith marriages.

We pride ourselves in feeling that BST members form a large extended family. We celebrate our uniqueness as a congregation in the Reform movement and exude a spirit, energy and vitality that you will feel once when you enter our doors. We embody the Jewish values of tzedakah, mitzvah and tikkun olam. Please call us at 540-373-4834 or email office@bstva.org to arrange a time to stop by; we are ready to meet you and show you what we have to offer to make Judaism more rewarding in your life.