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Welcome to Temple Beth-El!


           We are a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish congregation that has been serving the greater Rockford region for over 100 years.  It is a place in which Jewish values are lived and practiced.  We are a small congregation whose members are dedicated to maintaining a strong Jewish presence in their lives.  Our membership spans a broad spectrum of ages, professions, interests, and backgrounds.  We offer a wide variety of religious, educational and social opportunities for our members.  We join together through prayer, tzedakah, learning and celebration.  We welcome participation at all levels.  Our goal is for you to feel like part of our family and to be involved in the Temple Beth-El community.

       Mission Statement: Temple Beth-El is a congregation of Jews and their families building a community committed to participation in all aspects of Jewish life.  By community, we mean a group of diverse people who share a strong connection fostered by Temple Beth-El.  By participation, we mean that all members will partake in and support the spiritual, cultural, educational and social life of Temple Beth-El. 

Temple Beth-El, Rockford IL

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table

Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table jemerman

Passover
Photo of a group of people standing in a circle
We have so much to learn from our mothers, past and present. Soon, we'll return to the story of Passover and to the narratives of three remarkable mothers whose determination, fearlessness, and love changed the course of biblical history.

Melding Tradition and Innovation: Our Interfaith Toddler Naming Ceremony

Melding Tradition and Innovation: Our Interfaith Toddler Naming Ceremony jemerman

Lifecycle Rituals
Photo of Lindsey Neary and her son
When I found out I was pregnant, my mind was immediately filled with questions and plans. When my son Logan was born at 34 weeks, many of those plans quickly changed.

A Place at the Table: How an Accessible Haggadah Creates a Seder of Belonging

A Place at the Table: How an Accessible Haggadah Creates a Seder of Belonging jemerman

Living with Disabilities
Photo of a group of people sitting around a table, looking at Haggadah on Passover
As someone who is completely blind, I have enjoyed many opportunities to fully participate in the Jewish community because of accessible materials.

Passover 2024: The Three Central Messages of Pesach

Passover 2024: The Three Central Messages of Pesach jemerman

Talk for a Change
Photo of a seder plate with a book that says "Foot & Justice Passover Seder"
The Exodus story is the master narrative of the Jewish people. As most of us know, it tells the story of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt and the rise of Moses as their liberator. It reminds us that in 2024, the universality of Passover's three-part message again reverberates through the generations: freedom, love, and justice.