Welcome to TBI!

Here you will discover, as I did a handful of years ago, a unique community of Reform Jews – many home-grown Californians, many from across the country, and indeed, many from across the world. This diverse congregation worships, sings, learns, and imagines the future together.

Our lay-led synagogue is rich in spirit, education, and integrity. Our clergy inspires us every day. Rabbi Jonathan Kupetz imbues all he does with intelligence, insight, and kindness. Cantor Paul Buch brings beautiful and lively music, creativity and humor to the multifaceted and unique ways he contributes to our temple life. Many dozens of devoted lay leaders and volunteers keep our programming and campus humming with life.

We endeavor to act on our mission statement in a variety of ways. “Temple Beth Israel is a warm, inclusive community, creating lives of meaning and striving to bring healing to the world.” Our religious and spiritual programs encourage congregants to connect with Judaism in meaningful and personal ways.  Our Religious School (“Beit Sefer”) is a place where our children learn Jewish history, language, and tradition through a project-based approach designed to engage children by bringing Judaism into their lives in ways that interest them.

For over 30 years, our Preschool has offered 2 to 5-year-olds an opportunity to play and explore in developmentally-appropriate ways and in a Jewish context. Now known as the Tree of Life Children’s Center, it serves young families of all backgrounds from Claremont, Pomona, Upland and beyond.

We are very proud of our Adult Jewish Learning programs which offer year-round opportunities to explore past and current Jewish topics, a wide array of cultural adventures from play-reading, exploring Jewish short stories and Latin-American Jewish literature, to Israeli politics, archaeology and much more.

There are many opportunities to enjoy and make music at Temple Beth Israel. Our unique Shul Band contributes to services once a month on First Friday. Our Adult Choir participates during the Days of Awe and at other occasions. Cantor Buch provides a rich array of traditional and newer melodies for us to embrace.

We offer a variety of social groups and activities that encourage congregants to connect with each other. Always reinventing itself, TBI now has an extraordinarily vibrant women’s group – WTBI Women of TBI, and a new venture called MJN, My Jewish Neighborhood, where congregants in the same area come together for socializing and support. We have a solid Brotherhood group,  chavurot (friend groups), book clubs, Shabbat dinner groups, a Jewish Cooking and Baking group, and more.

If you are interested in tikkun olam (repairing the world), a Social Action and Social Justice committee works on legislative initiatives that promote Jewish values,  housing/homelessness, refugee assistance, and direct service to the community, including our annual High Holy Days food drive.

We also have partnerships with local community and interfaith organizations such as Inland Valley Hope Partners, David and Margaret Youth and Family Services, Claremont Canopy, and Newcomers Access Center. When you visit us, please take a walk through our 10,000 square foot farm designed to feed the hungry, made possible through a partnership with Uncommon Good.

Please come see us anytime. We would love to welcome you to our unique Jewish community.

L’shalom,
Laura Zuckerman, President, TBI Board of Trustees

Email Laura Zuckerman, President, TBI Board of Trustees