Lauderdale Lakes Plaza
(104 Tzahal St.)
Kiryat Ono
Rabbi David Benjamin
Tel: 054-9921541
info@britolamono.org.il
www.britolamono.org.il
History
In 1978, several parents of children with special needs founded the Brit Olam Congregation in Kiryat Ono, a member of the Israel Reform Movement. They wanted liberal, egalitarian Judaism in a community where their children could be called to the Torah for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Soon they were joined by friends and neighbors who recognized the need for an approach to Judaism that accorded with modern norms and lifestyle. Later, this Reform group merged with a local Conservative community. In 2000, the Congregation was registered by the Israel Registrar for Non-profit Organizations.
Over the decades, more than a thousand families have connected with the Congregation which serves the eastern reaches of the Greater Tel-Aviv area. Until recently, the community had no permanent home, migrating from classroom to classroom with a makeshift ark and podium. In 2023, history was made when the local municipality allocated the entire second floor of a two-story building for the exclusive use of the Congregation.
Leadership
Today, the Congregation is led by Rabbi David Benjamin, a graduate of Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem, a former IDF Lieutenant-Colonel and International Law expert. His wife, Nancy, also a former lawyer, is the Congregation’s Coordinator. The current President is Professor Nir Barnea, a nuclear physicist at the Hebrew University. Preceding him was Janet Nussbaum, retired from Israel Aircraft Industries, who currently serves as Gabai.
Mission
Our mission is to provide Jewish Israelis in our area, the vast majority of whom are not Orthodox, with the means to express their Judaism in a way that conforms with their values and outlook. We believe that our mission, as part of the nationwide effort of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, is of the utmost importance for the future of the Jewish State and the Jewish People as a whole.
Activities
In addition to a weekly Kabbalat Shabbat, the Congregation holds services and activities for all the festivals and holy days. High Holyday services attract hundreds of participants from the surrounding neighborhoods. Other annual highlights include our Simchat Torah celebration, Tu B’shvat Seder, Purim Megillah Reading, Pre-Pesach Fair, Tikkun Shavuot and Hannukah Candle Lighting. Of special significance is the Havdalah Ceremony between Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut as well as our new Tisha Ba’av tradition whereby we hold a community conversation on the issues that divide and unite us while recalling past disasters caused by internal discord.
The Congregation has a Bar/Bat Mitzvah almost every week. In 2024, there were 54 ceremonies. Each year we hold at least four eight-session Bar/Bat Mitzvah courses for children along with their parents.
Once a month we hold a “Friday Coffee and Cake” session combined with a musical Kabbalat Shabbat featuring a guest speaker and our newly established choir who raise the roof of our sanctuary.
The Congregation has a thriving Beit Midrash “HaHevruta” which meets for bi-weekly study sessions.
Volunteers from the Congregation are involved in distributing food to the needy in Kiryat Ono. In the aftermath of October 7th, we sent volunteers to assist in agricultural work in communities affected by the attacks.
Our Needs
Now that we have a home, the Congregation is working hard to fulfill its potential. We have two former classrooms at our disposal and are in the process of converting one into a sanctuary and the other into a multi-purpose hall. We are making full use of the premises in their current state, but there is still much work to be done, including fixing a leaky roof, renovating floors and ceilings, replacing doors, renovating the lobby, entrance and bathrooms and building a kitchen and offices.
The Congregation is dependent on dedicated volunteers who give massively of their time and talents as well as donors from Israel and abroad.