We are a blended congregation.  Our members are of Jewish origin or have joined Beth El Congregation because of a Jewish life partner.  Some members have joined because of a desire to have a household that cherishes Jewish values.  We emphasize that all who wish to participate in Jewish life are welcome here, no matter how they have formed the attachment. 

Beth El Congregation, housed in the Hillel building at the University of Connecticut,  sponsors a number of activities to help make Jewish life interesting and meaningful.  Family Shabbat services are held one Friday a month during the school year.   The services are participatory and informal, combining traditional and newer interpretive material.  Mark Frydenberg, our religious leader, edited the Siddur Chaverim Kol Yisrael a user-friendly, trans-denominational prayerbook, recently published by KTAV.  Services often include a discussion session for older children and adults.  A number of services each year begin with a potluck Sabbath meal.

On the High Holy Days, we hold joint services with the Hillel Foundation.    We celebrate the other major holidays through congregation and religious school events.