Congregation Beth Israel in Meridian, Mississippi

Congregation Beth Israel

The sanctuary's gable end is glazed with lights up to 12-ft. high near its apex. The beautiful sanctuary and courtyard are vividly reflected in the walls and doors. Exposed laminated wood beams rise from exterior concrete buttresses into the sanctuary. The roof is shingled, natural river stones in the courtyard form a bed for the corner stone from the previous temple. The lighted temple beams a glowing welcome at night.

Youth in Mississippi - A Center of Jewish life in the Deep South

Jewish camping in the Deep South

For over 45 years, Jacobs Camp has served a region that does not have a single large Jewish community. Many of its campers come from small cities and towns. For them, Jacobs Camp is a Jewish oasis. It provides a Jewish world that just does not exist for most campers during the rest of the year. And as the Jewish communities in the camp region have evolved over the years, with several small congregations closing, Jacobs Camp has remained a center of Jewish life in the Deep South.

Jacobs Camp is the Reform Jewish Movement’s summer camp serving the Deep South: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Central & Western Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle. Since 1970, Jacobs has provided a caring Jewish community that has become a second home to many. Children from URJ congregations across the Deep South join together each summer to experience the fun and magic of Jewish camping.

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Holidays - Our High Holy Day Journey

Congregation Beth Israel provides members and guests with a menu of High Holiday prayer services, including: Rosh Hashana, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur and Yizkor.

Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah is the holiday marking the start of the Jewish New Year, in Hebrew it translates to “head of the year.” The Rosh HaShanah holiday is marked by a period of celebration and reflection.

Kol Nidrei

The phrase Kol Nidrei comes from Aramaic and means far more than its literal translation, “All Vows.” In fact, it is not a prayer at all, but rather a legal formula used for the annulment of vows. These “vows,” according to Torah, refer to solemn, binding promises made before God. (Numbers 30:3, Deuteronomy 23:24).

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is a holiday that occurs ten days after Rosh HaShanah. Yom Kippur in Hebrew means “day of atonement.” Yom Kippur rituals include fasting, repenting, and asking for forgiveness.

Yizkor

May we comfort, and be comforted, by the people we never knew who live inside us, by the people we lost whom we still miss, and the community that surrounds us.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training

Get your child prepared for one of the biggest rites of passage with Congregation Beth Israel's personalized Bar/Bat Mitzvah training class.

Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a significant Jewish life cycle event. The Bar or Bat Mitzvah marks an important step in the spiritual growth of a young Jewish person. It indicates that the student has grown in Jewish knowledge and is ready, through further study, to acquire a more mature understanding of Judaism and to assume the responsibilities of Jewish life.

Congregation Beth Israel

Our synagogue follows the Reform movement of Judaism and our practices are steeped in nearly 150 years of Jewish history in our town. Beth Israel is directed by an unwavering commitment to tikkun olam, which is the Hebrew phrase for "perfecting the world."

The Voice

OUR BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION

The City of Meridian, MS

Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities - Meridian, Mississippi

Meridian is in Lauderdale County and is the sixth largest city in the state of Mississippi, with a population just nearly 40,000. The city has deep roots in the railroading industry including its rebuilt Amtrak station, which averages about a quarter-million passengers per year.

Meridian is home to Peavey Electronics Corporation along with Avery Dennison, Structural Steel Services, Sarah Lee and Southern Pipe and Supply Company. Additionally there are two military facilities, Naval Air Station Meridian and Key Field and four industrial parks.

Meridian and its citizens have contributed mightily to the culture and the art around the city. The Grand Opera House of Meridian was built in 1889, but closed in the 1930s due to the Great Depression. Although the building stood abandoned for nearly 70 years, a grant in 2000 allowing for major renovations enabled the Opera House to re-open in 2006 under the name “Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts.” The Riley Center includes a 950-seat auditorium, a 200-seat theater and 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The Riley Center attracts more than 60,000 visitors annually for conferences, meetings and performances.

The Meridian Little Theater was built in 1932 and entertains more than 22,000 people per season, making it Mississippi’s largest community theatre. The Meridian Museum of Art opened in 1970 and serves as the region’s premier public museum. A variety of rotating exhibits are hosted at the museum each year including sculptures, artifacts, photographs and traditional decorative art covering various time periods.

A triumvirate of hospitals, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, The Rush Hospital and The Riley Hospital, provides Meridian residents with multiple top-notch medical facilities.

Mississippi State University features a Meridian Campus, which was established in 1972. The 26-acre campus is located at the intersection of Highway 19 and College Drive and serves more than 800 students. Meridian Community College (MCC) is a 2-year college, founded in 1937. Approximately 4,000 students attend MCC, which sits on 72-acres and is right next to the aforementioned MSU Meridian Campus. The MCC Eagles have a strong athletic history, boasting two current NBA players (Ronald “Flip” Murray and Jamario Moon).

There are several recreational parks, memorials and outdoor festivals. Highland Park is home to the Dentzel Carousel, a National Historic Landmark, which has been in operation since 1909.

Since 1992, Meridian has been the host site of the State Games of Mississippi– the state’s largest annual amateur multi-sport event. Nearly 5,000 athletes from 300 Mississippi cities compete against each other in 27 sports.

Notable Meridian residents include: Sela Ward (actress), Derrick McKey (NBA basketball player), Jay Powell (MLB baseball player), Diane Ladd (actress), Hartley Peavey (Peavey Electronics), Al Wilson (musician) and Jimmie Rodgers (country music singer) just to name a few.

Beth Israel Family Relocation Program

• We seek Jewish families who intend to relocate and contribute positively to Meridian for a minimum of five years.
• Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, to help select the most ideal families to participate in this program.
• Grants are available to those who qualify, to potentially assist with the following:

1. Relocation – moving and settling
2. Housing
3. Congregation Beth Israel membership
4. Repaying outstanding educational loans
5. Small business seed money

• Qualification Standards –To qualify, a candidate must:
1. Submit written grant request
2. Undergo background and credit checks
3. Provide written personal and rabbinical references
4. Travel to Meridian to meet Congregation Beth Israel members

Note: Congregation Beth Israel is a small Synagogue with limited resources, so priority will be given to those families who already live in the United States.

We are very pleased and excited that your family is interested in moving to Meridian. Truly, Meridian is a fabulous place to live, grow and work. Our Jewish community is reaching out, eager and prepared to support your move and resettlement in any way we can.

The information gathered via this questionnaire will be used by CBI’s Family Relocation Services leadership and staff to: (a) get better acquainted with your family, and (b) help us determine your eligibility for relocation grant financial support.

We pledge to safeguard the confidentiality of your personal information and, in return, ask that your answers/information be complete, accurate and timely.

Congregation Beth Israel Services

Shabbat Services & Torah Reading. 5:30 P.M. Shabbat kicks off with a wine and cheese social followed by the 6:00 P.M. service, which includes that week’s Torah portion.

Other Shabbat services are led by members of Congregation Beth Israel.

Shabbat Discussion Groups/Education Programs: Have you ever been curious about how Torah relates to today’s current events? Come visit with Congregation Beth Israel for a spirited and educational overview on what it means to be Jewish, while we dive into the weekly Torah portion and discuss other current events. We also offer youth education programs for children of all ages, which helps students develop a deeper understanding of Jewish culture, as well as how to read and write in Hebrew. Programs are available to youth and adults who are seeking to better understand our amazing journey and our rich Jewish history.

High Holidays Services: Congregation Beth Israel provides members and guests with a menu of High Holiday prayer services, including: Rosh Hashana, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur and Yizkor.

Life Cycle Services: As we all know, life is full of surprises along with ups and downs. Sometimes we welcome a newborn child into the world. Perhaps a family member or friend is getting married, celebrating a special anniversary or a “simcha.” And sometimes, we pray for someone in need or mourn the loss of a loved one. To help make this transition as smooth as possible, Rabbi Goldstein makes himself available to officiate and/or counsel during these “life” moments.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training: Get your child prepared for one of the biggest rites of passage with Congregation Beth Israel’s personalized Bar/Bat Mitzvah training class. Your child will receive the personal attention and education they need to begin their journey into Jewish adulthood.

About Congregation Beth Israel | Beth Israel Family Relocation Program

Congregation Beth Israel was founded in 1868. We’ve seen a lot of changes in our town and within the congregation. In 1964, our current synagogue (57th Ct. and 14th Ave.) was constructed. In 2005, David Goldstein, Rabbi Emeritus from Touro torah Synagogue in New Orleans, joined our congregation as the Rabbi. We also have a very dynamic Sisterhood, which seeks to remain active and relevant around Meridian. Congregation Beth Israel houses a Family Growth Services Group, which seeks to sustain and advance the reach and contributions of the Jewish community within Meridian. Our synagogue follows the Reform movement of Judaism and our practices are steeped in nearly 150 years of Jewish history in our town. Beth Israel is directed by an unwavering commitment to tikkun olam, which is the Hebrew phrase for “perfecting the world.” Through our Family Relocation Program, our congregation will work with Jewish families looking to relocate to the Meridian area. Beginning in January 2010, we will provide grants for up to $25,000 for families qualifying for this relocation program.

Beth Israel Family Relocation Program

Beth Israel Family Relocation Program’s mission and criteria are as follows:

• We seek Jewish families who intend to relocate and positively contribute to Meridian for a minimum of five years.
• Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, to help select the most ideal families to participate in the program.
• Grants are available to those who qualify, to potentially assist with the following:

1. Relocation – moving and settling
2. Housing
3. Congregation Beth Israel membership
4. Repaying outstanding educational loans
5. Small business seed moneyQualification Standards –To qualify, a candidate must:

1. Submit written grant request
2. Undergo background and credit checks
3. Provide written personal and rabbinical references
4. Travel to Meridian to meet Congregation Beth Israel members

Note: Congregation Beth Israel is a small Synagogue with limited resources, so priority will be given to those families who already live in the United States.

Lifelong Learning

Shabbat Services & Torah Reading. Shabbat kicks off with a wine and cheese social followed by the 6:00 P.M. service, which includes that week's Torah portion.

Family Growth Services

We seek Jewish families who intend to relocate and contribute positively to Meridian for a minimum of five years.

Strengthening Our City

At Congregation Beth Israel, we pride ourselves on being Meridian, Mississippi's first and only Synagogue.

Our Goal

Our goal is to maintain and strengthen Congregation Beth Israel's footprint within Meridian, and the state of Mississippi. We will always strive to expand on the almost 150-year Jewish history in this city and to continue our contributions to civic, economic, philanthropic, and community social life of Meridian.