Temple Beth Avodah
Temple Beth Avodah is a private non-profit Reform Jewish congregation in Newton, Massachusetts, founded in 1963, serving Greater Boston families with worship, religious education (Early Learning Center through grade 12), lifecycle events, social-action programming, and community engagement through a philanthropic Member Commitment model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersNewton, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Temple Beth Avodah does
Temple Beth Avodah (TBA) is a private non-profit Reform Jewish congregation founded in 1963 and headquartered at 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton, Massachusetts. It provides weekly Shabbat and High Holy Day worship (in-person and via Zoom), lifecycle officiation (baby namings, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, mourning support), K-12 religious education, and a tuition-based Early Learning Center serving children 15 months through prekindergarten with a Reggio-inspired curriculum. Complementing core religious and educational programming, TBA runs Chai Connections intergenerational mentorship, music programs (Jazz Shabbat, Rock Shabbat, Shir Harmony choir), TBA Reads author series, Reel Judaism film screenings, community events, and a TBA Cares pastoral-care initiative, alongside social-action partnerships with JF&CS Family Table, The Second Step, the American Red Cross, and the Newton Food Pantry. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard third-party platforms — Shul Cloud for membership/CRM/payments, Zoom for virtual services, YouTube for audio/video content, and a multi-platform social presence (LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) — with no proprietary systems described.
The business model is a hybrid of philanthropic giving and fee-for-service revenue. Member Commitments function as recurring annual contributions averaging $4,300 per household for 2025-2026 (with new members' first year free), augmented by ELC tuition ($11,705-$18,325 depending on tier and membership status), facility rentals for lifecycle events and community gatherings, and earmarked donations/legacy gifts to specific funds. The congregation employs 51-100 staff and clergy led by Senior Rabbi Keith Stern (since 1997), Cantor Gabe Snyder (ordained 2024), and Executive Director Becky Oliver (20-year tenure). TBA is governed by a member-elected Board led by President James Nahirny (former McKinsey Partner and Bain Capital Ventures Founding Partner, 2024-present) and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).
Temple Beth Avodah firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Temple Beth Avodah
- Legal name
- Temple Beth Avodah
- Website
- https://bethavodah.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Temple Beth Avodah is a private non-profit Reform Jewish congregation in Newton, Massachusetts, founded in 1963, serving Greater Boston families with worship, religious education (Early Learning Center through grade 12), lifecycle events, social-action programming, and community engagement through a philanthropic Member Commitment model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Temple Beth Avodah industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Congregation Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC), Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH), Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), Faith-Based Nursery & Playgroups (EDACACAK), Faith-Based Childcare Centers (EDACAAAN)
Keywords
Where Temple Beth Avodah is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Temple Beth Avodah business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Member Commitments (Dues): Temple Beth Avodah operates on a philanthropic Member Commitment model rather than traditional fixed dues. The average contribution per household needed to sustain TBA is $4,300 for 2025-2026, though members can give above or below that amount based on their means. New members receive their first year free.
- Early Learning Center Tuition: Tuition-based early childhood education program serving children from 15 months through prekindergarten. Multiple pricing tiers based on days per week and membership status.
- Facility Rentals: Event space rentals for meetings, dinners, celebrations, bar/bat mitzvah kiddushes, wedding receptions, baby namings, and brises. Available to both members and non-members based on calendar availability.
- Donations and Legacy Gifts: Donations to various designated funds supporting educational programs, scholarships, technology, caring community, social action, and other temple initiatives. Legacy giving through bequests, beneficiary designations, and appreciated securities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Member households contribute an average of $4,300 annually to sustain TBA, though no fixed amount is required |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Toddler Classes (Ages 15 months - 2.8 years) - 5-day tuition |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Preschool Classes (Ages 2.9 - 4 years) - 5-day tuition |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Prekindergarten Class (Ages 4-5 years) - 5-day tuition |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Temple Beth Avodah product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Temple Beth Avodah is a Reform Jewish congregation that delivers weekly Shabbat and High Holy Day worship services, lifecycle event officiation, a tuition-based Early Learning Center for children 15 months through prekindergarten, and K-12 religious education. It also operates adult engagement programs, mentorship (Chai Connections), music series, social action initiatives, and facility rentals, all supported by an annual Member Commitment model and donations.
Product overview
Temple Beth Avodah is a Reform Jewish congregation offering a comprehensive suite of religious, educational, and community programs. The core offerings include weekly Shabbat and High Holy Day services (available in-person and online via Zoom), an Early Learning Center (nursery and preschool for ages 15 months through prekindergarten), and K-12 religious education. Supporting programs include Chai Connections mentorship, lifecycle events (baby namings, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, mourning support), music programs with Jazz Shabbat and Rock Shabbat series, TBA Reads author series, Reel Judaism movie nights, community events, social action initiatives, and facility rentals. The congregation also provides virtual community access, the Before Shabbat blog, podcast content, audio prayer files, and various giving/donation programs through a Member Commitment model.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 40 member household growth since 2023 Member Commitment Model implementation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Temple Beth Avodah
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Temple Beth Avodah technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Temple Beth Avodah partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Jewish Family & Children's Services (JF&CS) Family TablecoreTemple Beth Avodah partners with JF&CS Family Table food pantry, collecting and delivering salmon and raisins. Temple members periodically volunteer at Family Table throughout the year to support families facing food insecurity.
- The Second StepcoreTBA is committed to assisting those experiencing domestic violence by preparing and delivering home-cooked meals to support individuals in The Second Step program, providing nourishment and comfort.
- American Red CrosscoreTemple Beth Avodah runs blood drives twice a year to support the Red Cross's efforts to maintain adequate blood supplies for those in need.
- Welcome HomeminorTBA sponsors collections for household items to assist individuals and families who need to set up new housing for various reasons.
- Newton Food PantryminorTemple's Mitzvah Garden club donates fresh herbs and vegetables to the Newton Food Pantry, continuing donations throughout the growing season.
- Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)coreTemple Beth Avodah is affiliated with the URJ, providing connection to the broader Reform Judaism movement, resources, and youth programming networks including NFTY-Northeast.
- West Newton CinemaminorWest Newton Cinema partners with TBA for the Reel Judaism movie series, hosting Jewish-themed films followed by community discussions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Temple Beth Avodah competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Temple Beth Elohim: Large Reform Jewish congregation in Wellesley, MA — same movement, overlapping Newton-area catchment, and similar lifecycle/education programming. TBA board member Helene Presskreischer is a former TBE Trustee, evidencing direct member overlap.
- Temple Israel of Boston: One of the largest and oldest Reform congregations in Greater Boston, offering a comparable ELC, religious school, lifecycle services, and member-based dues. Operates in the same market and movement as TBA.
- Congregation Mishkon Tefilah: Reform synagogue serving the Boston-area Jewish community with similar lifecycle, education, and worship programming. Direct competitor for the same Newton-area member households.
- Temple Hillel B'nai Torah: Reform Jewish congregation in the Greater Boston area; Youth Coordinator Lori Giunta previously taught there, indicating direct personnel and programmatic overlap with TBA.
- Congregation Ahavas Achim: Reform/egalitarian Jewish congregation where Youth Coordinator Lori Giunta also taught, suggesting a shared talent pool and overlapping programming model in the same regional market.
- Vilna Shul: Historic Jewish congregation in Boston; VP David Cohen previously served as Director of Finance and Operations there, evidencing direct leadership and operational overlap with TBA.
Broad incumbents
- Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS): Major regional Jewish social services nonprofit and TBA's strategic partner (Family Table food pantry). Operates on a much larger scale and serves overlapping constituents but with a social-services rather than congregation-based model.
- Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP): Greater Boston's central Jewish federation; TBA Director of Operations Rachel Zylberfink previously worked there as a Community Connector. Operates in the same Jewish communal ecosystem, convening member agencies and donors.
- Union for Reform Judaism (URJ): The denominational umbrella for North American Reform congregations; TBA is an affiliated member. Provides movement-wide resources, NFTY-Northeast youth programming, and rabbinical placement that shape TBA's operating context.
- JCC of Greater Boston: Large Jewish Community Center serving Greater Boston with ELC, camps, fitness, and programming that competes with and complements TBA's family programming. Director of K-12 Education Rebecca Kahn previously led JCC of Greater Pittsburgh teen programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Temple Beth Avodah social profiles
Digital presenceTemple Beth Avodah financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Temple Beth Avodah leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Temple Beth Avodah funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Temple Beth Avodah M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Temple Beth Avodah
What does Temple Beth Avodah do?
Temple Beth Avodah is a Reform Jewish congregation that delivers weekly Shabbat and High Holy Day worship services, lifecycle event officiation, a tuition-based Early Learning Center for children 15 months through prekindergarten, and K-12 religious education. It also operates adult engagement programs, mentorship (Chai Connections), music series, social action initiatives, and facility rentals, all supported by an annual Member Commitment model and donations.
Is Temple Beth Avodah a public or private company?
Temple Beth Avodah is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Temple Beth Avodah founded?
Temple Beth Avodah was founded in 1963. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Temple Beth Avodah based?
Temple Beth Avodah is headquartered in Newton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Temple Beth Avodah make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Member Commitments (Dues) is the primary driver. The others are early Learning Center Tuition, facility Rentals and donations and Legacy Gifts.
Who are Temple Beth Avodah's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Temple Beth Elohim, Temple Israel of Boston, Congregation Mishkon Tefilah, Temple Hillel B'nai Torah, Congregation Ahavas Achim and Vilna Shul. Broad incumbents are Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS), Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and JCC of Greater Boston.
Does Temple Beth Avodah have an API?
No public API is recorded for Temple Beth Avodah.
What industry is Temple Beth Avodah in?
Temple Beth Avodah's product category is Religious Congregation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAD, Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis), with a secondary code of EDAJABAC, Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools. Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 8351.