Is Beth Chai affiliated with a particular denomination of Judaism?
Beth Chai is an independent congregation run by a board of directors elected from among its members. The congregation follows a humanistic philosophy, but it is not affiliated with any national policy-making organization and thus is not bound to share its dues with any other organization. Beth Chai also is free to develop its own education materials, rather than following a curriculum created by a national committee. Denominationally directed congregations are often required to support stands on specific religious questions — for example, conversion or circumcision — or to sign onto positions about international or national politics that may not always be in line with the views of individual members. Beth Chai prefers to let each individual take a stand (or not) on such matters. We at Beth Chai feel that our congregation is the most welcoming place for Jews who do not want anyone else to tell them what to believe.
