We are a women’s group dedicated to supporting Judaism, friendship, and growth between members. We hold social, religious, and educational activities and programs for members and the greater community to promote the joy of gathering and sharing time together. Even before Temple Beth El was founded, the Sisterhood was growing the Jewish community with an eye to the future. Through the years we have adapted to the challenges of our changing world. Today, we support the next generation during the various stages of their Jewish journey through Half-Pint Havurah, scholarships for Jewish Camp, and sending hamantaschen to our college students.
Sisterhood Book Club members come together monthly in a member’s home to discuss a book. Every August, we choose the 12 books that we will read for the coming year. Everyone is invited to recommend a book or two that they have read and think would be good for discussion. 2023-24 books include Maus, Missing Hearts, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, and Fahrenheit 451. You are invited to join us!
The MENsch Club is based on 4 pillars: service to TBE, social action programs, mentorship, and sharing good times together as a strong community. You’ll often find members of the MENsch Club working the BBQ or the mitzvah bar and providing support where extra hands are needed at TBE events.
TBE offers youth programs for all ages. For our youngest congregants, Cantor Ilan Davidson leads Half-Pint Havurah, in which children hear stories, bake hallah, and sing songs. Our Youth and Teen choirs practice weekly and actively participate in various services and events throughout the year. High school students can participate in San Pedro Temple Youth (SPeTY), which is our youth group connected to the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). Under the supervision of our youth advisor, these teens plan and participate in social action, community, and social events.
The word "havurah" comes from the Hebrew word "haver," meaning friend. Our havurah program aims to facilitate the creation of lifelong friendships in our community. Each havurah is a small group of congregants who gather together to socialize, celebrate holidays and life-cycle events and support each other as we travel life’s paths.
After Shabbat Services each Friday night, we come together in our social hall for a celebratory oneg shabbat (reception) where we nosh, schmooze and gather in sacred community. We would love volunteers to help sponsor an oneg shabbat which includes bringing sweet treats to the temple on a Friday night of your choice. This is an easy and fun way to get involved in TBE life and contribute to the warmth of our beloved community! For more information and to volunteer, please contact Executive Director, Carrie Jacobs at TBEoffice@bethelsp.org.
Temple Beth El prides itself on having warm and friendly faces at the front door greeting all guests with a big smile! We would love your help at our services and programs as a front door greeter. You would work alongside other friendly greeters and we will give you all the information and training you need to be a TBE greeter. If you would like to volunteer or receive more information about TBE Greeters, please contact Executive Director, Carrie Jacobs at TBEoffice@bethelsp.org.
Temple Beth El is thankful for the support and hard work of our office helpers! If you would like to join our team of "office helpers," we would love to have you! Hours and days are flexible and duties would include answering phones, light clerical work, special projects and lots of FUN in a warm & friendly environment! If you would like to volunteer to be an office helper, please contact Executive Director, Carrie Jacobs at TBEoffice@bethelsp.org.
Our library is a very beautiful and unique space. We have hundreds of wonderful Jewish texts and books about and around Judaica. This space also serves as a “house of study,” and, with its own ark, is also a place for prayer and services. The Friends of the Library support and manage this special space for TBE congregants of all ages to enjoy!
The Social Action committee is dedicated to Tikkun Olam, Healing the World, locally and globally. We do so through hands-on projects, educational programs centered on Jewish values, speakers, discussions around current social justice issues, and advocacy around legislative issues in partnership with the Religious Action Center (RAC) at the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). For the sake of future generations, we support our teens' participation in theL’Taken Teen Justice Program with the RAC.
The Torah calls us to actively care for each other. The Caring Committee seeks to fulfill this mitzvah by proactively engaging with TBE community members in their times of greatest need. This group of individuals supports our members through making phone calls and visits, running errands, providing rides, and assisting with meals of condolence.
Temple Beth El is committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, embraced for who they are, and respected and valued as unique individuals. Because DEIA is an ongoing process, we periodically conduct community assessments to identify ways in which TBE can continue to build opportunities to effectively and openly serve our community.
The Board of Education consists of an amazing team of parent and congregant volunteers who provide support for our staff and Torah School families. We not only plan and execute fun Jewish family-oriented activities and special events, we also manage the Torah School budget, hold fundraisers, and provide assistance wherever needed. We are passionate about a strong community, fostering relationships between students, families, clergy, staff, and our larger temple family.
Cantor Ilan Davidson has been pleasing audiences with his singing since before he could read. At age five, he began singing with his Cantor, Philip Moddel, and hasn’t shut up since. At ten, he made his Operatic debut with the Fullerton Civic Light Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen, as a street urchin. Since then, he has performed roles in opera and musical theatre, performing, directing, and producing world-class productions.
Among his many accomplishments, Cantor Davidson is also known as a contemporary Jewish songwriter and performer, having delighted audiences all over the world, including Israel and Lithuania with the soulful sounds of his music. His recordings, Stained Glass (1995) and In A Hanukkah Mood (2007) are collections of original and covered songs by himself and many contemporary Jewish artists. His most recent recording, God Is In This Place (2020), is a collection of original liturgical pieces for the Friday night Shabbat Service, commissioned and written in honor of his 25th Anniversary as the Cantor of Temple Beth El.
Cantor Davidson left the stage and in 1995 joined the Temple Beth El family, in San Pedro, where, in his nearly 30 years of service, he has brought many new programs and much enthusiasm to all he does. Coming from a long line of Cantors, it must have been Besheret for Cantor Davidson, although talented in all areas of musical performance, to finally settle down into his career as Hazzan for Temple Beth El in San Pedro, California. In 2007, Cantor Davidson founded a new foundation, KindredSPIRITS, producing an annual world humanitarian aid event. KindredSPIRITS premiered on June 5, 2008 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, adding that prestigious concert hall to the ever growing list of venues around the world, where Davidson has performed. During the 10 years of humanitarian events, Global KindredSPIRITS, Inc., as an official 501©3, raised awareness and close to $500,000 for its beneficiaries over the decade.
As a past president of the South Coast Interfaith Council, Ilan fought for tolerance and understanding of ALL faiths in a difficult climate. For the past 7 years, Cantor Davidson has been service as an LA County Commissioner, representing the 4th District on the Human Relations Commission, where he currently serves as President. Whether it is raising his voice for justice, Hazzanut, Pop, Opera, Musical Theatre, or folk music, Cantor Ilan Davidson shares his soul and genuine love in every note.
When asked about his finest accomplishment, Cantor Ilan invariably responds, “After all the great concerts, services, and roles, my finest role in life is that of husband to my beautiful wife, Jodi, and daddy to my gorgeous daughters, Jordan and Zoe.”
Office: (310) 833-2467 Ext. 106
