Beth Chayim Chadashim
Encyclopedia
Beth Chayim Chadashim also called BCC, is a synagogue
located at 6090 West Pico Boulevard
in West Los Angeles, California. Affiliated with Reform Judaism
, it was founded in 1972 as the world's first lesbian
and gay
synagogue. Current clergy is Rabbi Lisa Edwards and Cantor Juval Porat. In 1973, BCC received a Holocaust survivor Torah from the town of Chotebor, Czechoslovakia, on permanent loan from Westminster Synagogue in London. It continues to be a cherished guest at BCC.
Janet Marder was the congregation's first rabbi
. After several temporary locations, in 1977 the BCC congregation purchased a storefront at 6000 West Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles (the Pico-Robertson area) that was transformed into a synagogue and Jewish life-cycle space. The membership grew and flourished for over 30 years at this location.
Lisa Ann Edwards served as a student rabbi under the first full-time rabbi, Denise Eger. From 1992 to 2007, Cantorial Soloist Fran Magid Chalin's unique use of music and energy served to unite, uplift, inspire, and prompt BCC's connection to Jewish tradition, especially for the growing number of BCC children. In 1994 Rabbi Lisa Ann Edwards was ordained and became BCC's rabbi.
In 2006, Ohr Chayim (Light of Our Lives) was initiated as BCC’s Family Education Program for children and their families, under Leah Zimmerman, the first Director of Education. Cantor
Juval Porat, the first cantor to be trained in post-Holocaust Germany was installed as BCC's Cantor in 2010.
After 5 years of planning, BCC moved a block away from its first home to 6090 West Pico Boulevard, to accommodate BCC's expanding membership, staff and Jewish glbt studies programming. This endeavor of renovating three 1931 store fronts was led by BCC's first Executive Director Felicia Park-Rogers (hired in 2005) and BCC Member, Architect Ira Dankberg. 6090 West Pico Boulevard is the first Leeds
certified synagogue in the United States.
On August 14, 2011 a stellar Cantors' Concert performance took place to celebrate BCC's new home, which included Marsha Attie, Cantor David Berger, Cantor Sharon Bernstein, BCC Clergy Emerita Fran Chalin, Cantor Ken Cohen, Cantor Tifani Coyot, Cantor Magda Fishman, Cantor Evan Kent, Cantor Rebekah Mirsky, Cantor Juval Porat, Cantor Sam Radwine, Cantor David Reinwald, Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom and Cantor Lance Tapper
The mission of Beth Chayim Chadashim is to:
-Provide the opportunity and means to worship God in accordance with the principles and practices of Judaism.
-Serve and support members as they explore their own value, dignity and place in their community.
-Serve others in the community according to the Jewish precept of tikkun olam
(repair the world).
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
located at 6090 West Pico Boulevard
Pico Boulevard
Pico Boulevard is a major Los Angeles street that runs from the Pacific Ocean at Appian Way in Santa Monica to Central Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California, USA...
in West Los Angeles, California. Affiliated with Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
, it was founded in 1972 as the world's first lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
and gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
synagogue. Current clergy is Rabbi Lisa Edwards and Cantor Juval Porat. In 1973, BCC received a Holocaust survivor Torah from the town of Chotebor, Czechoslovakia, on permanent loan from Westminster Synagogue in London. It continues to be a cherished guest at BCC.
Janet Marder was the congregation's first rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. After several temporary locations, in 1977 the BCC congregation purchased a storefront at 6000 West Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles (the Pico-Robertson area) that was transformed into a synagogue and Jewish life-cycle space. The membership grew and flourished for over 30 years at this location.
Lisa Ann Edwards served as a student rabbi under the first full-time rabbi, Denise Eger. From 1992 to 2007, Cantorial Soloist Fran Magid Chalin's unique use of music and energy served to unite, uplift, inspire, and prompt BCC's connection to Jewish tradition, especially for the growing number of BCC children. In 1994 Rabbi Lisa Ann Edwards was ordained and became BCC's rabbi.
In 2006, Ohr Chayim (Light of Our Lives) was initiated as BCC’s Family Education Program for children and their families, under Leah Zimmerman, the first Director of Education. Cantor
Cantor in Reform Judaism
The cantor in the Reform movement is a clergy member who fills a diverse role within the Jewish community. Cantors lead worship, officiate at lifecycle events, teach adults and children, run synagogue music programs, and offer pastoral care...
Juval Porat, the first cantor to be trained in post-Holocaust Germany was installed as BCC's Cantor in 2010.
After 5 years of planning, BCC moved a block away from its first home to 6090 West Pico Boulevard, to accommodate BCC's expanding membership, staff and Jewish glbt studies programming. This endeavor of renovating three 1931 store fronts was led by BCC's first Executive Director Felicia Park-Rogers (hired in 2005) and BCC Member, Architect Ira Dankberg. 6090 West Pico Boulevard is the first Leeds
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certified synagogue in the United States.
On August 14, 2011 a stellar Cantors' Concert performance took place to celebrate BCC's new home, which included Marsha Attie, Cantor David Berger, Cantor Sharon Bernstein, BCC Clergy Emerita Fran Chalin, Cantor Ken Cohen, Cantor Tifani Coyot, Cantor Magda Fishman, Cantor Evan Kent, Cantor Rebekah Mirsky, Cantor Juval Porat, Cantor Sam Radwine, Cantor David Reinwald, Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom and Cantor Lance Tapper
The mission of Beth Chayim Chadashim is to:
-Provide the opportunity and means to worship God in accordance with the principles and practices of Judaism.
-Serve and support members as they explore their own value, dignity and place in their community.
-Serve others in the community according to the Jewish precept of tikkun olam
Tikkun olam
Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world." In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam originated in the early rabbinic period...
(repair the world).