What We Believe

We would like to encourage participation in social and religious practices that support the beliefs and principles of Judaism. The Congregation seeks to provide an inspirational setting for religious services, foster Jewish education, and create a warm, nurturing environment that supports the life cycle events of its members. We seek to be responsive to the needs of our members and to foster the spirit of community that provides friendship, creates a sense of belonging, and advocates the development of a personal Jewish experience.

Our History

Beginning in the late 1990s, a group of Jewish people in Calvert County, Maryland began to celebrate Passover Seders and the Hanukah Festival together culminating in the formation of Congregation Beit Chaverim (House of Friends) in the year 2000. Soon thereafter, the Congregation began holding volunteer-led Services, and in 2002, the first professionally led High Holy Day Services were held. About that time, the Religious School and Adult Education group were formed. Rabbi Arnold Saltzman was our Rabbi from 2005 through 2016 and was our spiritual leader conducting Services and serving as Director of our Religious School.Rabbi Saltzman retired from his position as our Rabbi in June 2016. Reb Betsy Roth has taken over as our spiritual leader begining in August 2016 through 2018.

In 2019, unfortunately due to finances we can no longer afford a part-time Rabbi. Our High Holiday Services in 2019 will be led by Merav Lvenson. Merav Lvenson has a master’s degree in Jewish studies and teaches in Montgomery County schools and is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor. She is not a rabbi, but an officiant with many years experience in leading High Holiday Services in Montgomery County.

As the only Jewish Congregation in Calvert County, we are well recognized as representing the Jewish Community. We participate in the Interfaith Council and the Daughters of Abraham organizations, and serve patients as needed at Calvert Memorial Hospital.