Beth Shir Shalom

What Beth Shir Shalom does

Beth Shir Shalom is a Reform Jewish congregation located at 1827 California Avenue in Santa Monica, California, formed in 1987 through the merger of Beth Sholom Temple (founded 1942, the oldest synagogue in Santa Monica) and Temple Shir Shalom. The organization operates as a 501(c)-style religious non-profit governed by an elected board of trustees and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Its service portfolio spans the full lifecycle: a Reggio Emilia–inspired Early Childhood Center (ranked #1 preschool in Santa Monica), a K–6 Religious School, 7–12 Teen Programs, Adult Education (including Judaism 101/102, Torah Café, Interfaith Exchange), Baby & Me Shabbat classes, BMitzvah preparation, Baby Namings, High Holy Days programming, and ongoing Shabbat services. Membership provides access to Rabbi consultations, High Holy Day tickets, and lifelong learning; Shabbat services remain open to all regardless of membership.

The congregation's technology footprint is modest and commercial-off-the-shelf: ShulCloud handles member management, online donations, and payments; Zoom powers the online Torah Café; Google Forms manages event RSVPs; and the website (on Squarespace) hosts program information and sermon archives. There is no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or app; the organization relies on community-driven marketing via its website, email newsletters, word-of-mouth, and organic outreach through programming and interfaith partnerships (Macedonia Baptist Church in Watts, First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica). Rabbi Alex Kress is the spiritual leader, having previously founded Temple Shir Shalom; Emeritus Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels served the congregation for over 40 years.

Beth Shir Shalom's revenue model is non-commercial and multi-stream, comprising membership dues (subscription/recurring), Early Childhood Center tuition, targeted donation funds (General, Rabbi's Discretionary, Tree of Life Memorials, First Friday Sponsorship, Security Fund), Baby & Me program fees ($36/session or $360/season), and a planned-giving society (Acacia Grove). Customer/congregant segments are diversified across general Jewish community members, families with young children, K–12 students, adult learners, interfaith families, those exploring Judaism, and young adults (Westside Jews program). Distribution is primarily in-person at the single Santa Monica campus with select virtual/hybrid options; geographic expansion is signaled via a sister-synagogue relationship in Holon, Israel, and Israel travel programming through URJ partners. No revenue, membership count, or headcount figures are publicly disclosed, consistent with non-profit synagogue norms.

Name

Beth Shir Shalom

Legal name

Beth Shir Shalom

Website

https://bethshirshalom.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Beth Shir Shalom is a Reform Jewish synagogue in Santa Monica, CA, offering lifecycle programming from a #1-ranked Early Childhood Center through adult education, with diversified revenue from membership dues, preschool tuition, and donations, serving Westside LA families, interfaith households, and young adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Congregational Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Childcare Centers (EDACAAAN)

Keywords

• Reform synagogue services
• Jewish education programs
• Religious preschool
• Lifecycle ceremonies
• Community programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

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, Others

Revenue model

1. General Donations: Donations towards ongoing operations and maintenance of the synagogue building and community programs
2. Membership Dues: Membership options that provide access to Rabbi consultations, High Holy Day tickets, and lifelong learning programs
3. Early Childhood Center Tuition: Revenue from toddler, twos, threes, and pre-K programs
4. Baby & Me Program Fees: $36 per session or $360 for full season (Fall & Spring)
5. Tree of Life Memorials: Celebrate simchas by purchasing leaves on the Tree of Life
6. Rabbi's Discretionary Fund: Fund enabling Rabbi to help individuals/families in need and support educational programs
7. First Friday Sponsorship: Sponsorship of Shabbat dinners on first Friday of each month
8. Security Fund: Donations to support security measures and community safety
9. Legacy Giving (Acacia Grove): Planned giving society for long-term community sustainability

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Beth Shir Shalom is a Reform Jewish congregation in Santa Monica, California, providing weekly Shabbat worship, High Holy Days observances, lifecycle ceremonies (Baby Namings, BMitzvah), and lifelong Jewish education spanning an Early Childhood Center, Religious School, Teen Programs, and Adult Education. The synagogue operates as a congregational community with social action, interfaith, and Israel engagement programming, funded primarily through membership dues, tuition, and donations.

Product overview

Beth Shir Shalom is a Reform synagogue in Santa Monica offering a comprehensive portfolio of Jewish community programs and services. The organization operates as a unified congregational community with interconnected programs spanning all life stages. Core offerings include the Early Childhood Center (preschool), Religious School (K-6), Teen Programs (7-12), and Adult Education (Torah Study, Judaism 101/102), all supported by Shabbat services, lifecycle event programming (BMitzvah, Baby Namings), and High Holy Days observances. Additional programs include Baby & Me Shabbat Class, community groups (Westside Jews, Chavurot, Caring Committee, Social Action), and Israel engagement. The congregation uses ShulCloud for member management and donations, and Zoom for virtual programming like online Torah Café.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Center (ECC) A Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool program for children from toddlers through pre-K, recognized as the #1 ranked preschool in Santa Monica, providing warm, nurturing care with Jewish values integrated throughout the curriculum.
• Religious School A K-6 Sunday morning religious education program focused on instilling a love of being Jewish, featuring a relational curriculum with grade-level bonding activities and electives including Israeli Dance, Art, Cooking, Photography, Torah Comics, and Creative Writing.
• Teen Programs Comprehensive youth programming for grades 7-12 including Tuesday night gatherings, social events, travel opportunities (DC, New York, civil rights South), the Madrichol leadership program, Israel experiences, and NFTY involvement.
• Adult Education Lifelong learning programs for adults including Torah Study (Torah Café on Zoom), Judaism 101, Judaism 102, Interfaith Exchange, Dinner & Discussion series, and Wine, Women & Wisdom Rosh Chodesh gatherings.
• Baby & Me Shabbat Class Weekly Friday morning program for babies 18 months and younger and their grownups, introducing Shabbat rituals through singing, stories, snacks, and age-appropriate play, priced at $36 per session or $360 for a full season.
• Shabbat Services Weekly Shabbat services open to all, featuring music, prayer, and community gatherings including First Friday Shabbat dinners.
• BMitzvah Program Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation requiring 2.5 years of enrollment including weekly Hebrew learning, eight months of one-on-one tutoring before the ceremony, and individual meetings with Rabbi Alex for D'var Torah preparation.
• High Holy Days Programs Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur observances featuring meaningful, spiritual, and thought-provoking experiences including Tashlich, study sessions, and holiday celebrations.
• Baby Naming Ceremonies Covenant welcoming ceremonies for children available as Friday night service celebrations or intimate at-home ceremonies, customized with Rabbi Alex.
• Community Groups & Gatherings Various community groups including Westside Jews (young adults 20s-30s), Social Action Committee, Caring Committee, Chavurot (small member groups), and Interfaith Exchange partnerships with Macedonia Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.
• Israel Programming Israel engagement through community trips, support for Israeli organizations, and connections to the sister synagogue in Holon through the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, including partnerships with Alexander Muss High School in Israel and Yallah Israel through URJ.
• Synagogue Membership Membership options that provide access to Rabbi consultations, High Holy Day tickets, and lifelong learning programs; sustains ongoing synagogue operations and community programming.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• URJ (Union for Reform Judaism)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Shir Shalom is a Reform congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. The URJ provides movement support, resources, and programming connections including NFTY youth programs, Camp programs, and Israel travel opportunities through Yallah Israel.
• Macedonia Baptist Church in WattscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two primary interfaith partner communities. Beth Shir Shalom has a rich history of building bridges with this faith community, focusing on relationships, shared learning, and finding commonality in a polarized world.
• First Presbyterian Church in Santa MonicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two primary interfaith partner communities. Ongoing interfaith work includes joint programming, holiday celebrations, and relationship building across faith traditions.
• Food on FootminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization that Beth Shir Shalom partners with for social action initiatives, helping provide food to those in need in the community.
• Meals on WheelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Shir Shalom has provided Christmas Day meals for Meals on Wheels clients for over 31 years, demonstrating long-term community commitment.
• SMMUSD (Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for social action initiatives, helping unhoused neighbors and providing food to those in need.
• Jewish Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for social action initiatives supporting unhoused neighbors and community welfare programs.
• Community Security Initiative of JFEDLAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSecurity partner that works with Beth Shir Shalom staff to develop safety protocols. The synagogue's security fund enacts recommendations from JFEDLA to keep the community safe.
• Santa Monica Police DepartmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStaff maintains constant communication with Santa Monica PD for security coordination and community safety.
• IsraAIDminorOthersInternational humanitarian organization that Beth Shir Shalom directs congregants to for donating and learning about humanitarian efforts in Israel, providing mental health, education, and protection support.
• New Israel Fund (NIF)minorOthersOrganization advancing liberal democracy in Israel. Beth Shir Shalom directs members to NIF as a way to support freedom of speech, minority rights, and fight inequality.
• Standing TogetherminorOthersGrassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice. Beth Shir Shalom supports this organization.
• IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center)minorOthersOrganization working to secure civil rights for a just and egalitarian Israel based on Israeli law and Jewish tradition. Described as 'our collective Jewish identity in action in Israel.'
• Sister Synagogue in Holon (Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung, diverse community in Holon led by Rabbi Galit Cohen-Kedem. Part of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, promoting pluralistic and egalitarian values and social/environmental responsibility.
• Memorial Scroll Trust in LondonminorOthersOrganization that organized 1500 Torah scrolls gathered from devastated communities in the Czech Republic after the Holocaust. Beth Shir Shalom received one of these scrolls from the town of Dobříš.
• Alexander Muss High School in IsraelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program that Beth Shir Shalom encourages teens to travel to Israel with for immersion in Jewish history, vibrant communities, and Israeli landscapes.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IKAR: Non-denominational/spiritual Jewish community in West LA known for engaging young adults and families seeking less traditional synagogue models. Directly competes for the same younger and interfaith Jewish families Beth Shir Shalom targets.
• Kol Tikvah: Reform synagogue in nearby Woodland Hills/Valley area with religious school and family programming. Comparable in denomination and program mix but serves a slightly different sub-market.
• Stephen S. Wise Temple: Large Reform congregation in the West LA area with an ECC, day school, religious school, teen programs, and social action initiatives. Comparable in target demographic, program breadth, and Reform/URJ affiliation.
• University Synagogue: Reform congregation in West Los Angeles affiliated with URJ, offering religious school and family programming. Comparable in denomination and geographic catchment.
• Sinai Temple: Major West LA Reform synagogue affiliated with URJ, offering ECC, day school, religious school, teen programming, and adult education. Directly comparable in scope, denomination, geographic market, and program mix.
• Temple Beth Am: Large Conservative-Reform-adjacent congregation in West LA with religious school, teen programming, and adult education. Comparable as a family-oriented LA Jewish congregation competing for the same member pool.
• Wilshire Boulevard Temple: Largest and oldest Reform congregation in Los Angeles, also affiliated with URJ. Directly comparable as a multi-generational Reform synagogue offering ECC, religious school, teen, adult education, lifecycle events, and social action programming across multiple LA campuses.
• Temple Isaiah: Reform synagogue serving the Westside LA area with religious school, ECC, family programming, and adult learning. Comparable in denomination, target families, and program portfolio.
• Leo Baeck Temple: Reform congregation in the Westside LA region affiliated with URJ, offering ECC, religious school, teen, and adult programming. Comparable in denomination, geography, and lifecycle program coverage.

Others

• Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles (JFEDLA): Umbrella federation coordinating fundraising, security (Community Security Initiative), and communal services for LA Jewish institutions. Beth Shir Shalom interacts with JFEDLA on security and Israel programming, making it a key ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beth-shir-shalom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Beth Shir Shalom