First Fridays! By David Goldstein, Director of Community Engagement – September – October 2026

First Fridays! By David Goldstein, Director of Community Engagement

Shalom Beth El Community-

As I enter my FOURTH year as a member of the CBE staff team, I am always looking for new ways to bring people together. This year, I am looking towards one of my favorite parts of being Jewish—Friday night Shabbat!

I love having that weekly opportunity to pause, reflect, and focus on what really matters: family, friendship, community, and heart.

That’s the idea behind our new First Fridays programming at Beth El. We’re creating a space to come together simply for the sake of being together. No big agenda. No expectations. Just an opportunity to connect.

At Beth El, we come from different places and bring different experiences of Jewish life with us. Whether you’ve been here forever, just joined, are part of an interfaith family, or are simply curious about what community can look like, you belong here.

So put it on your calendar: the first Friday night of every month is your opportunity to connect.

Maybe there will be dinner. Maybe just snacks. Maybe a surprise wine or whiskey tasting. Maybe the Rabbi will lead services. Or maybe it’ll be me! Or Steve and Linda Stein. The programming may change from month to month, but the important part stays the same: someone will always be here, and there will always be a place for you.

It’s been such a pleasure watching this community grow. I hope you’ll join us — not because you have to, but simply because you want to be part of it.