Kehilla – a non-profit organization

Members of Kibbutz Tamuz and other residents of Beit Shemesh established "Kehilla" in 1996.

Kehilla seeks to develop projects in the field of Jewish pluralism, social involvement and dialogue between the different populations in the area. These projects express our commitment to the values of Study (Talmud Torah), Charity (Tzedakah) and making the world a better place (Tikkun Olam).

To realize these values we aim to:

Form study groups for adults and youth with the purpose of generating dialogue using Jewish source material as the basis for discussion.

Cultivate community frameworks in Beit Shemesh and it's surrounds. These frameworks contribute to the empowerment of residents and serve to counter the processes of alienation and disintegration of social frameworks in Israeli society.

Develop a cadre of leaders who are dedicated to the values of democracy, civil society and Tikkun Olam.

Develop non-Orthodox Jewish identity that draws on Jewish culture of all periods, and to generate new texts and Jewish ceremonies appropriate to our time.

To promote an on-going dialogue between Israeli Jews and Jews from the Diaspora.

To assist weak groups in the society through community organizing and self-help.