About Us

We are a Progressive/Reform Jewish community affiliated with the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and its European affiliate, the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ). Worldwide we number 1.8 million members across 50 countries with over 1,250 congregations. Beth Hillel Roma is also a proud member of the Italian Federation of Progressive Judaism (FIEP). Our congregation was officially established in 2014 by 10 visionary founders. Today we have grown to include nearly 300 men, women and children.

Religious Life

We provide our members with religious services for Shabbat and holidays as well as life-cycle celebrations throughout the year. We hold religious services primarily in person (though one time on Zoom) 3 times per month, conducted by local lay leaders and our Rabbi who comes from Jerusalem monthly. We also offer a Tot Shabbat program, so parents can bring their children to services and everyone can have an engaging and fun time.

We recognise equal freedom for all members to participate in the religious and social life of the community, without discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. We welcome mixed couples and their children into the community, encouraging the non-Jewish partner who wishes to give their family a Jewish identity to draw closer to Judaism. Additionally, we welcome conversion requests from those with Jewish ancestry and from those who seek a meaningful home within the Jewish People.

Culture and Events

Beth Hillel offers a vibrant calendar of cultural programs for people of all ages, varying from Hebrew language to politics to Talmud study to book readings to Israeli dancing, both online and in person.

Youth and Education

In addition to our monthly Tot Shabbat, we have an active Religious School on Sundays, ages 2-16, where our children, who come from mixed faith, LGBTQAI+, and traditional families learn about Jewish culture, values, traditions, Hebrew language and more.

Our youth group’s local Netzer chapter participates in global programming, learning how to deepen their understanding and connection to Judaism and to Israel. We offer meetings, seasonal camps, international exchanges for Shabbatot, hadracha (leadership) training events, activism days, study events and seminars.

Giving Back

We have a social and humanitarian aid project called Tikkun Olam – repairing the world, which acts to pursue justice and social equity, and offers tangible solidarity to those in need of material and moral support, both Jews and non-Jews. Furthermore, we participate in the interfaith dialogue project Scriptural Reasoning, a path to understanding religions through the reading of sacred texts.

We actively cooperate with other Italian and international progressive Jewish communities to promote the principles of religious pluralism within Judaism. Together with other Italian progressive communities, we also aspire to be recognized by the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, with the hope that it will become the true common home of Italian Judaism.

Support

Beth Hillel Roma is a non-profit organization and does not receive any form of public funding. All its activities are self-financed through membership fees and voluntary contributions via donations. We have a small team and are mainly staffed by generous volunteers.

You can support us via PayPal @bethhilleroma or wire BETH HILLEL, IBAN IT23N0358901600010570919936, BIC/SWIFT: BKRAITMM

To learn more, please visit our website, Facebook page, or email us at BethHillelRoma@gmail.com