Congregation Beth Israel , one of the oldest synagogues in Western Washington, has served Bellingham's Jewish community since its establishment in 1908. Founded primarily by Lithuanian immigrants coming to the shores of the far western United States, the congregation moved into its current synagogue at the corner of Broadway and Irving in 1925. Although originally founded along Orthodox traditions, with men seated in the main sanctuary while women worshipped from the balcony, the congregation became more liberal after World War II. Further liberalization occurred over the next 30 years. In 1987, Beth Israel affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (then called the Union of American Hebrew Congregations).  Read more about the history of Beth Israel.

Our members come from all walks of life and from a large region encompassing not only Bellingham and Whatcom County, but extending from the lower mainland of British Columbia to Mount Vernon and Skagit County as well as Island and San Juan Counties. Many are also newly arrived in the Pacific Northwest from other areas of the country. Beth Israel strives to accommodate the growth and diversity of its membership, providing worship and study which is both meaningful and comfortable to Jews from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Rabbi Cindy Enger is the spiritual leader at Congregation Beth Israel. Rabbi Enger received her rabbinical ordination in 2001 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she completed her undergraduate education at Princeton University and then received a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Prior to rabbinical school, Rabbi Enger practiced law in Chicago.  Read more

The Shul Shofar is the newsletter of Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham, Washington. Download the August 2010 issue now! (.pdf file)

Membership at Beth Israel

Rabbi Cindy Enger

The Shul Shofar, Beth Israel's Monthly Newsletter

Religious School

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