2025 - 2026 Board of Trustees
President Alan Barth Other Board Members:
Vice President Allison Dalton Chris Colbert
Treasurer Kelsey Laudenheimer Sandra Blate Mike Rhymes
Sisterhood President Betsy Laudenheimer
Men's Club President Bill Levinson
Ex-Officio Member Deb Roa
Vice President Allison Dalton Chris Colbert
Treasurer Kelsey Laudenheimer Sandra Blate Mike Rhymes
Sisterhood President Betsy Laudenheimer
Men's Club President Bill Levinson
Ex-Officio Member Deb Roa
Rabbi
Born and raised in the Monroe area, Rabbi Yosef Eliyah has deep roots in North Louisiana and a sincere love for the local community. As a longtime educator in Hebrew and Jewish studies, he understands the challenges that people with limited Jewish background often face, having begun his own Hebrew journey right here in Monroe at the age of 15, much the same way. Those early struggles taught him patience and understanding, which now guide the way he connects with others and serves his synagogue family. Rabbi Yosef’s unique approach blends academic training with traditional learning. He studied at Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, and PennWest California University (earning a BA in Arabic Language & Culture), and spent eight years in full-time study at Orthodox yeshivot (Jewish seminaries), his most cherished years spent at Yeshivat Torat ha-Ḥaiyim and Midrash Ha-Sefaradi in Jerusalem. Rabbi Yosef was mentored by students of the late Rabbi Yosef Qafiḥ and was trained in the ancient pronunciation of classical Hebrew preserved by the Jews of Yemen. More importantly, he was instilled with the appreciation that the Jewish People are an ancient family that transcends racial or strict denominational lines. Guided by the 'Maimonidean' rationalist stream of classical Judaism, Rabbi Yosef draws on his studies in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic, and a compassionate and flexible approach to help the Monroe area community connect more deeply with God and each other, and find meaning in every moment through the richness of Jewish tradition. You can reach Rabbi Yosef at (318) 616-0030 or via email: [email protected] |
MembershipNew members are always welcome, regardless of background or level of religious observance. We also welcome associate membership for those who are not Jewish but who wish to stand with us or join us in worship, or who are interested in becoming Jewish. Full membership is equally available to anyone of non-Jewish background following completion of the conversion process.
For inquiries regarding becoming Jewish ('conversion'), contact Rabbi Yosef at (318) 616-0030 or via email [email protected] For inquiries into membership, simply contact our Temple Office at (318) 387-0730 or [email protected]. The office is typically open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 am - 1 pm. Feel free to leave a message any other time and we will get back to you as as we are able. Membership BenefitsMembership in Temple B'nai Israel comes with a welcome to join the Sisterhood, Men's Club, our Youth Group (MONTY), participate in the Religious School and attend the other religious and social offerings sponsored by Temple B'nai Israel. We look forward to seeing you at many functions throughout the year!
|
Can I Become Jewish?
All streams of Judaism have historically accepted non-Jews as full members of the Jewish People, the People of Israel, if they show commitment to the faith of Israel and the People of Israel. Full acceptance of converts is part and parcel with authentic Jewish tradition. In fact, it is the most repeated commandment in the Torah -- "and the immigrant who naturalizes unto you shall be no different to you than the native born, and you shall love them as yourself" (Leviticus 19:35); and "this is an everlasting law for all your generations - as you are, so is the immigrant before Me, says the ETERNAL" (Numbers 15:15).
Full Temple membership is open to anyone who has completed the conversion process, regardless of race or family origin, with no distinction between those born to Jewish families and those who are Jews by choice.
[more info]
You can reach Rabbi Yosef at (318) 616-0030
or via email: [email protected]
All streams of Judaism have historically accepted non-Jews as full members of the Jewish People, the People of Israel, if they show commitment to the faith of Israel and the People of Israel. Full acceptance of converts is part and parcel with authentic Jewish tradition. In fact, it is the most repeated commandment in the Torah -- "and the immigrant who naturalizes unto you shall be no different to you than the native born, and you shall love them as yourself" (Leviticus 19:35); and "this is an everlasting law for all your generations - as you are, so is the immigrant before Me, says the ETERNAL" (Numbers 15:15).
Full Temple membership is open to anyone who has completed the conversion process, regardless of race or family origin, with no distinction between those born to Jewish families and those who are Jews by choice.
[more info]
You can reach Rabbi Yosef at (318) 616-0030
or via email: [email protected]
History of the Monroe Jewish Community
The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life has created a comprehensive history of the Monroe Jewish Community. Click here to see how it all began.
What is Reform Judaism?
Throughout history, Jews have remained firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, even as we learned much from our encounters with other cultures. Nevertheless, since its earliest days, Reform Judaism has asserted that a Judaism frozen in time is an heirloom, not a living fountain.
The positions of the Reform Movement are based primarily in two sources: Resolutions adopted by the Union for Reform Judaism and resolutions adopted by the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
The positions of the Reform Movement are based primarily in two sources: Resolutions adopted by the Union for Reform Judaism and resolutions adopted by the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
|
2400 Orell Place | Monroe, LA 71201 | (318) 387-0730 |
|