Kehillat Beth Israel is a welcoming egalitarian synagogue that promotes Conservative Judaism and its values through religious, educational and social activities. At our core, we reflect respect for diversity and inclusiveness as well as community engagement through Tikkum Olam, Torah Study, Judaic Literacy and Prayer in a meaningful and relevant way. We are a vibrant and engaged congregation who welcomes all who wish to join us on our journey to building an amazing kehillah for our Ottawa-Gatineau community. We will reach our goals as a community-centred congregation serving those of all ages, stages and lifestyles, through learning and programming for everyone. We welcome your interest in our shul. Our clergy, staff and members are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have and to provide you with any information you may need about shul services.
KBI welcomes all to our regular programming. Full membership in our kehillah means in addition to this programming, you are entitled to full pastoral support, voting rights at meetings, access to our High Holy Days, and burial rights in the KBI section of the Jewish Memorial Gardens. Additionally, full members receive all synagogue communication and are entitled to have life-cycle events take place at the synagogue.
If you are already a full member of another shul, but wish to remain connected to KBI through membership, we have two Associate options, which include:
Associate I: open to those who have full membership at another synagogue. These
members receive all synagogue communication and are able to have life-cycle events take place at KBI to the extent available to non-members.
Associate II: focused on end-of-life rights. It is only for persons who have purchased and paid for interment rights through Jewish Memorial Gardens and were previously a full
member of Kehillat Beth Israel for at least one year. These members have the right to be interred in the lot they acquired at the Bank Street Cemetery or the Osgoode Cemetery. Their name is maintained in the KBI records and is provided to Jewish Memorial Gardens annually to confirm their interment rights. They are entitled to have a funeral at KBI and to have our clergy perform their burial rights.
Membership Fees
Membership fees are used to support the maintenance of the building, programming, salaries, and other financial requirements for operating a synagogue. The categories of membership are listed below. We believe that finances should not be a barrier to joining our kehillah. Our objective is to find a way to make membership feasible for any prospective member. If you are considering applying for membership, and the fee structure is of concern to you, please contact the Executive Director to confidentially discuss options which will suit your situation.