Established by five area families in 1982, Congregation Beth Chaverim is “House of Friends” in Hebrew. Initially, the group began meeting in each other’s homes, and as they grew, started meeting in local churches. With the community’s support, the growing congregation built a temple on Stoneshore Road in Virginia Beach and its sanctuary in 2006, their home until 2018.
Today, Cantorial Soloist Jim Hibberd leads the congregation in worship each Friday night in the social hall of Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach. Services are also available on Zoom.
Congregation Beth Chaverim held a Champagne Reception at the Sandler Family Campus on Sunday, Nov. 6 to celebrate its 40th anniversary as the only Reform congregation in Virginia Beach. Look for photographs from the celebration in the next issue of Jewish News, as well as excerpts from some of the speakers, including past and present leadership, clergy, and educators, as well as children who grew up in the congregation.
Congregation Beth Chaverim welcomes all to join them on Friday nights. For more information, contact temple.office@bethchaverim.com or call Chad at 757-477-3585.
Chad Bornstein is president of Congregation Beth Chaverim. He may be reached at temple.office@bethchaverim.com.
-Chad Bornstein