B'nai Israel is the Jewish home to a wide variety of members. We range from the more traditional to liberal Conservative and beyond. And perhaps more importantly it is home to those seeking their Jewish way. We are a big tent and we try to deal with and explore our Judaism on a number of levels.

INCLUSIVITY - Belonging - We are not all like minded. Yet we can all be a part of the B'nai Israel family.

RELIGION VERSUS SPIRITUALITY Our members have many ideas on this subject.

ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUAL PATHS - There are many paths to God. Our Friday night services are a mix of English and Hebrew. Our Shabbat morning service is almost entirely in Hebrew. And on occasion, we have an egalitarian service at 11 AM on Shabbat morning.

SOCIAL ACTION - Many of our members are involved in community service. We have members who have been Mayor of Wilmington, members of City Council and the County Commission. Many of our members are active in Hadassah and UJA. We collect canned food for the needy several times a year.

I view Judaism as "an evolving religious civilization" to quote Rabbi Mordicai M. Kaplan, "We celebrate both tradition and change within Judaism."

In conclusion, the words of Rabbi Abraham Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of the modern State of Israel, capture my vision for Jewish life at B'nai Israel as being a place "Where the Old Becomes New and the New Becomes Holy".

Shalom Y'all

Rabbi Robert Waxman