Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County

What Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County does

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County is a private, member-governed nonprofit Conservative Jewish synagogue founded in 1951 in Bethesda, Maryland, currently serving approximately 1,100 families. The organization operates as a vertically integrated religious community offering daily and Shabbat prayer services (with multiple service styles including Traditional, Shir Yachad, Kol Haneshama, Yedid Nefesh, and lay-led minyanim), the Beth El Preschool (BEPS) cooperative program for over 100 children ages 20 months to 5 years, and the Beth El Religious School (BERS) serving more than 500 students from kindergarten through high school. Supporting programs include the Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute, B-Mitzvah preparation, youth choirs (Shir Atid, Gesher Chorale, Marak Hayom, Chamber Chorale), Jewish meditation and mindfulness, pastoral care, social action initiatives, and an extensive auxiliary network (Women of Beth El, Men's Club, Chai Society 60+). Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, religious school tuition, preschool fees, adult institute class fees ($75-$90/class), event fees, and facility rentals, with finances not treated as an obstacle to joining.

The technology stack is conventional and communication-focused rather than proprietary: BoxCast for live streaming of Shabbat services, Zoom (with dedicated meeting IDs and passcodes) for daily minyan participation, Calendly for scheduling pastoral appointments, Hebcal for Shabbat time calculations, SoundCloud for hosting musical recordings, YouTube for meditation video content, and iCalendar/Outlook integration for event distribution. The website is built on WordPress. The congregation also maintains a Holocaust Torah scroll (MST#276) on indefinite loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust, displayed in the Rudolph Gallery for educational purposes. Operational leadership comprises Senior Rabbi Greg Harris, Associate Rabbi Deborah Megdal, Hazzan Asa Fradkin, and Executive Director Heather Garrett (joined September 2022), supported by 15+ professional staff and a 23+ member Board of Directors. The organization maintains community partnerships with Shepherd's Table, A Wider Circle, Manna Food Center, Bethesda United Methodist Church, and several Israeli charities including Keren Or and Yad L'Kashsish.

Name

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County

Legal name

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County

Website

https://bethelmc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County is a Conservative Jewish synagogue in Bethesda, MD serving 1,100 member families with worship services, preschool, K-12 religious school, adult education, and community programming across the Jewish lifecycle.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Jewish Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Childcare Centers (EDACAAAN), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Religious education
• Worship services
• Jewish community programming
• Preschool education
• Lifecycle events

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Synagogue membership fees; finances are not an obstacle and confidential conversations about dues are available for prospective members
2. Religious School Tuition: Tuition for Religious School education program (BERS) serving kindergarten through high school
3. Preschool Fees: Beth El Preschool (BEPS) - cooperative preschool program for children ages 20 months to 5 years
4. Adult Institute Fees: Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute classes with member and non-member pricing ($75-$90 per class)
5. Event Fees: Some events have ticket prices (e.g., Back-to-Shul BBQ $16, Senior Caucus BBQ $10)
6. Facility Rentals: Room rental for private functions including b-mitzvah dinners/receptions, weddings, family Shabbat dinners, birthday celebrations, meetings

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County is a Conservative egalitarian Jewish synagogue in Bethesda, Maryland that provides ongoing religious worship services (including daily minyan, Shabbat, and holiday services), comprehensive Jewish education from preschool through adult learning, pastoral care and lifecycle event officiation, and a range of community, cultural, and social-action programming for its members and the broader Jewish community.

Product overview

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County operates as a Conservative synagogue offering a comprehensive portfolio of religious, educational, and community programs. The core offerings include daily and Shabbat prayer services (with multiple service styles: Traditional, Shir Yachad, Kol Haneshama, Yedid Nefesh, and lay-led minyanim), the Beth El Preschool (the only Jewish co-op preschool in the Washington area), Beth El Religious School (BERS) serving kindergarten through high school, and the Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute for lifelong learning. Supporting programs include B-Mitzvah preparation, youth choirs (Shir Atid, Gesher Chorale, Marak Hayom, Chamber Chorale), youth groups, Jewish meditation, pastoral care, social action initiatives, library services, and facility rentals. Digital offerings include live streaming via BoxCast, Zoom-based online minyan participation, and the award-winning monthly Scroll newsletter. The organization also maintains a Holocaust Torah scroll (MST#276) on loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust for educational purposes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beth El Preschool (BEPS): The area's only Jewish co-operative preschool offering classes for children ages 20 months to 5 years.
• Beth El Religious School (BERS)
• Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute

Products and services

• Beth El Preschool (BEPS) Preschool offering early-childhood Jewish and general education for young children of members and the surrounding community.
• Beth El Religious School (BERS) Religious school providing K-12 Hebrew and Judaic education to children of congregant families.
• Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute Continuing-education program for adult congregants offering classes in Jewish texts, history, theology, and practice.
• Daily Minyan Recurring daily prayer service enabling congregants and mourners to fulfill Kaddish obligations and maintain daily Jewish practice.
• Shabbat Services Weekly Shabbat worship services including multiple service formats to accommodate varied congregant preferences.
• B-Mitzvah Program Educational and ceremonial program preparing students for Bar and Bat Mitzvah, including tutoring, family education, and the lifecycle ceremony.
• Beth El Youth Choirs and Musical Ensembles Youth choir and musical ensemble program supporting participation in services and musical education for children and teens.
• Jewish Meditation and Mindfulness Programming Programming offering Jewish meditation, mindfulness instruction, and related spiritual practice opportunities for congregants.
• Youth Programming and Engagement Programming for pre-teens and teens including social, educational, and religious engagement activities outside of formal classroom instruction.
• Social Action and Tikkun Olam Programs Programs focused on social action, charitable work, and Tikkun Olam ("repair of the world") initiatives for congregants and the broader community.
• Pastoral Care Clergy-led pastoral support for members during illness, bereavement, and other life challenges, including visitation, counseling, and lifecycle officiation.
• Facility Rental Rental of synagogue facilities and event spaces to members and non-members for private lifecycle and social events.
• Beth El Library Congregational library providing access to Jewish texts, reference works, and general-interest reading material for members.
• Holiday Celebrations and Special Services Seasonal services and programming for Jewish holidays and special congregational observances throughout the Jewish calendar year.
• Live Streaming Services Live broadcast of services and programming over the internet, enabling remote participation by members and visitors who cannot attend in person.
• The Scroll Newsletter Periodic congregational publication delivering news, announcements, feature articles, and programming information to members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,100 member families served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Memorial Scrolls TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991George and Michlean Amir arranged with Memorial Scrolls Trust to obtain on indefinite loan a Holocaust Torah (MST#276) rescued from Heřmanův Městec in Czechoslovakia in 1991. The scroll memorializes Holocaust victims and is used for educational purposes.
• Shepherd's TablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El has established relationships with Shepherd's Table, providing ongoing support for their charitable mission to help homeless and needy individuals in the Bethesda/Silver Spring area.
• A Wider CirclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El partners with A Wider Circle, which works to end poverty one individual and family at a time, providing essential support items and volunteer efforts.
• Manna Food CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El supports Manna Food Center, the primary food resource for Montgomery County residents experiencing hunger and food insecurity, including through Mitzvah Day projects.
• MakomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, Makom supports people with developmental disabilities to achieve quality of life and participate in Jewish life. Beth El participates in Jewish Disability Awareness Month with Makom.
• Sunflower BakeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El community participates in programming related to Sunflower Bakery, which provides job training in baking for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Bethesda United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El co-hosts an annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with Bethesda United Methodist Church, alternating locations between the synagogue and church, with combined clergy and choir participation.
• Jewish National FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El hosts an annual JNF breakfast generally featuring a leading Israeli media or political figure, supporting Israeli charities and causes.
• Keren OrminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProceeds from Mitzvah Day help fund Keren Or, a special needs school in Israel.
• Yad L'KashsishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProceeds from Mitzvah Day support Yad L'Kashsish, an arts and crafts workshop for the elderly in Israel.
• Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth El supports FIDF through Mitzvah Day proceeds, providing education and wellbeing support for IDF soldiers and families of fallen soldiers.
• Friendship CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with Chabad-Lubavitch of Maryland and DC, Friendship Circle provides social and Jewish programming for individuals with special needs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• B'nai Israel Congregation: Conservative synagogue in Rockville, MD serving Montgomery County with religious school, adult education, and lifecycle services. Direct peer in same denomination and adjacent geography.
• Adas Israel Congregation: Large Conservative synagogue in Washington, DC serving the metropolitan Jewish community with comparable worship, education, and lifecycle programming. Direct peer in same denomination and overlapping catchment.
• Ohr Kodesh Congregation: Conservative synagogue in Olney, MD serving eastern Montgomery County with egalitarian worship, religious school, and adult programming. Direct peer with overlapping member demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Washington Hebrew Congregation: Largest Reform Jewish congregation in the DC area, serving a broader demographic with religious, educational, and social programs. Broader incumbent in same regional market with overlapping offerings.
• Temple Shalom: Reform congregation in Chevy Chase, MD serving the Montgomery County Jewish community with worship, education, and youth programs. Adjacent denomination peer competing for similar families.

Others

• Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School: K-12 Jewish day school in the DC area offering intensive Jewish and secular education. Competes with Beth El Religious School for Jewish education enrollment in the same catchment.
• Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington: Major Jewish community center serving the DC metro area with preschool, camp, fitness, and cultural programming. Not a direct religious peer but a complementary institution competing for member time and family engagement dollars.

Regional players

• Har Shalom Congregation: Conservative synagogue in Columbia, MD serving the Howard County Jewish community with religious school and lifecycle programming. Regional peer in same denomination, different catchment.
• Etz Chaim Congregation: Orthodox/traditional synagogue in Silver Spring, MD serving Montgomery County with daily minyan, religious education, and youth programming. Regional peer in adjacent denomination, overlapping catchment.
• Kemp Mill Synagogue: Orthodox synagogue in Silver Spring, MD serving eastern Montgomery County with daily minyan, youth programming, and adult education. Regional peer in adjacent denomination, overlapping catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLlj_0l1ywEaldRuWjoLxuxm06X8K2YN_w
• Facebookfacebook.com/congregation.beth.el
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beth-el-moco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County