Beth Israel Center

What Beth Israel Center does

Beth Israel Center is a private, non-profit Conservative Jewish synagogue located at 1406 Mound Street in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1944 from predecessor congregations dating to 1904, the organization serves 275 member households and operates as a full-cycle spiritual and educational community, providing daily and Shabbat worship services, lifecycle ceremonies (Brit Milah/Brit Bat, B'nei Mitzvah, weddings, funerals, Shiva support), and a layered educational program spanning Talmud Torah (K-7), N'tivon (grades 8-12), adult learning courses, and the Kolot Kehilla speaker series. The congregation is led by Rabbi Betsy Forester, Executive Director Maggie Shapiro Haskett, and a Board of Directors, with additional staff in congregational learning, operations, and administration.

The organization's offerings are operationalized through a recently renovated facility completed in 2014-2015, which includes a state-of-the-art mikvah, kosher kitchen, sanctuaries, and learning spaces. Revenue is generated from a portfolio of streams: recurring membership dues and annual gifts (not publicly disclosed), religious school tuition ($550-$675 per K-7 student, $54 per N'tivon student), tiered lifecycle and event fees (B'nei Mitzvah simcha $180-$540, kiddush sponsorship $400-$810), mikvah donations, stock and financial contributions processed via Bank of New York Mellon, planned giving through the Yesod L'Atid Legacy Society, and Amazon Smile referrals. Operational technology is limited to third-party SaaS (Squarespace, ShulCloud, Constant Contact, Zoom); the organization has no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or digital product offering.

Beth Israel Center's go-to-market is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth, member referrals, and visibility through social justice programming (Pride Shabbat since 2018, refugee resettlement partnerships with HIAS and Jewish Social Services of Madison, racial justice work with EXPO of Wisconsin and Nehemiah Community Development Corporation). Distribution is primarily in-person at the Madison campus with supplementary livestream and Zoom access. The congregation is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and Keshet, and is partnered with local funeral homes (Cress, Gunderson) and youth networks (USY/MOUSY, Gesher) — institutional ties that anchor retention across member life stages.

Name

Beth Israel Center

Legal name

Beth Israel Center

Website

https://bethisraelcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Beth Israel Center is a non-profit Conservative Jewish synagogue in Madison, Wisconsin, serving 275 member households with worship services, Jewish education (K-12 and adult), lifecycle ceremonies, and social justice programming, funded through dues, tuition, donations, and event fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Jewish education
• Lifecycle ceremonies
• Community worship
• Religious organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Annual Gifts: Members are expected to make financial contributions that sustain the congregation, including annual gifts. After three years of membership, members are expected to contribute to the L'Dor VaDor building fund.
2. Stock and Financial Donations: The synagogue accepts stock donations and various financial contributions through its online payment system. Donations can be directed to specific funds or the General Fund.
3. Religious Education Tuition: Talmud Torah (K-7) tuition: $550/year for Gan-Alef-Bet (K-2), $675/year for Gimel-Dalet-Hay-Vav-Zayin (grades 3-7). N'tivon (grades 8-12): $54/year.
4. Lifecycle Event Fees (Simcha): Fees for b'nei mitzvah celebrations: $180 for up to 125 attendees, $360 for 126-175, $540 for more than 175. Additional tutoring fees at $40/hour.
5. Mikvah Use: Donation of $36 for mikvah use, or $108 for a conversion. Flexible based on community members' financial needs.
6. Kiddush Sponsorship: Three-tiered sponsorship: Arad Kiddush $400, Kesef Kiddush $580, Zahav Kiddush $810. Also accepts co-sponsorship contributions of $36+ for festival kiddushim.
7. Planned Giving (Legacy Society): Members and supporters can join Yesod L'Atid Legacy Society by naming Beth Israel Center as a beneficiary of their estate.
8. Amazon Smile: Proceeds from Amazon Smile purchases donated to Beth Israel Center when shoppers select the organization as their charity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Beth Israel Center is a Conservative Jewish synagogue that provides daily and Shabbat worship services, Jewish religious education for all ages (children through adults), lifecycle event ceremonies (Brit Milah, B'nei Mitzvah, weddings, funerals), ritual mikvah immersion, bereavement and pastoral support, and social justice programming. The congregation operates a kosher facility with a mikvah suite and supports approximately 275 member households in Madison, Wisconsin through in-person services and online livestreaming.

Product overview

Beth Israel Center is a traditional, egalitarian Conservative synagogue in Madison, Wisconsin, offering a comprehensive suite of Jewish religious, educational, and community services rather than a technology product. The core offerings include daily and Shabbat worship services, lifecycle event ceremonies (Brit Milah/Brit Bat, B'nei Mitzvah, weddings, funerals), and Jewish education programs spanning from childhood (Talmud Torah, grades K-7) through adolescence (N'tivon, grades 8-12) to adulthood (Adult Education, Kolot Kehilla speaker series). Supporting services include ritual facilities (mikvah), youth groups (MOUSY and Gesher), sponsored kiddush lunches, bereavement and shiva support, social justice programming, and various financial contribution mechanisms. The organization uses third-party platforms including Squarespace for its website, Zoom for remote service participation, and ShulCloud for membership management and donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yesod L'Atid Legacy Society: A planned estate gift program encouraging members to remember Beth Israel Center when designating legacy gifts

Products and services

• Talmud Torah Religious Education Program
• N'tivon Teen Education Program
• Adult Education Program
• Kolot Kehilla Speaker Series
• Mikvah Ritual Immersion
• MOUSY Youth Group
• Gesher Youth Group
• Brit Milah / Brit Bat Ceremonies
• B'nei Mitzvah Preparation and Celebration
• Weddings & Aufrufs
• Kiddush Sponsorship
• Bereavement & Shiva Services
• Daily and Shabbat Worship Services
• Social Justice Programs
• Stock Donation Processing

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EXPO of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020EXPO (EX-incarcerated People Organizing) works to end mass incarceration and restore formerly incarcerated people to full community participation. As part of BIC's multi-year Confronting Racism initiative, BIC has partnered with this Black-led nonprofit focused on equity in the justice system.
• Nehemiah Community Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020BIC entered partnership with Nehemiah for a multi-year racial justice project. A cohort of ~60 BIC members engaged in extended study of racial issues under Nehemiah's guidance. The focus area identified was equity in the justice system.
• Al Otro LadominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020A nonprofit in Tijuana serving asylum seekers hoping for entry into the US. In February 2020, a BIC delegation led by Rabbi Betsy traveled to the US-Mexico border to volunteer with this organization.
• Dane Sanctuary CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Coalition of Wisconsin Faith Voices For Justice, Centro Hispano, and Voces de la Frontera in alliance with national New Sanctuary Movement. Assists vulnerable immigrants and asylum-seekers. BIC joined as a supporting (non-housing) congregation in May 2018.
• Jewish Social Services of MadisonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIC volunteers collect furniture and household items, clean and set up apartments, stock kitchens, and cook welcome dinners for arriving refugees assisted by this organization.
• Open Doors for RefugeesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIC volunteers support refugee resettlement efforts through this organization that assists families and singles entering the US through the Refugee Admissions Program.
• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1881, HIAS declares an annual National Refugee Shabbat which BIC joins in celebrating. Refugee families are invited to speak to the congregation during these special Shabbatot.
• Healing HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn 8-bed residential recuperative facility for homeless families. BIC volunteers prepare and deliver dinner daily for one week at a time, serving 4-8 people. HH staff handle serving and cleaning.
• Catholic Multicultural CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes a free meal every day of the year to all comers. BIC volunteers provide home-cooked vegetarian lasagna on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, serving hundreds.
• United Synagogue Youth (USY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Jewish organization of high school students. BIC sponsors MOUSY (Madison's Only USY), the local chapter offering cultural, religious, social, community service, and recreational activities for Jewish youth.
• Cress Funeral HomecoreOthersLocal funeral home that BIC works closely with for funeral arrangements. Available 24/7. Phone: 608-238-3434.
• Gunderson Funeral HomecoreOthersLocal funeral home that BIC works closely with for funeral arrangements. Available 24/7. Phone: 608-221-5420.
• Safe Haven / PorchlightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPorchlight facility serving homeless, mentally ill people. BIC volunteers provide festive Christmastime dinners and deliver lasagnas monthly. Safe Haven offers dinner opportunities for BIC volunteers.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Park Avenue Synagogue: Major Conservative synagogue in New York City. Comparable as a flagship Conservative congregation offering full lifecycle services, educational programming, and social justice initiatives. Represents the upper-tier of Conservative institutional programming and scale.

Direct peers

• Congregation Beth Israel: Conservative synagogue in Waukesha, WI. Comparable as a Wisconsin-area Conservative congregation with similar lifecycle, educational, and worship programming. Strong regional peer given shared Wisconsin context and Conservative denomination.
• Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun: Wisconsin's largest Conservative Jewish synagogue, located in Milwaukee. Most directly comparable peer given shared denomination, shared Wisconsin regional context, similar educational programming (religious school, adult education), lifecycle services, and social justice partnerships. Closest functional peer for Beth Israel Center.

Regional players

• Congregation B'nai Jeshurun: Large Reform congregation in New York City with strong progressive social justice orientation and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Comparable along progressive Jewish communal model, lifecycle programming, and adult education focus. Denominationally different but programmatically aligned.
• Temple Beth Am: Large Conservative synagogue in Los Angeles. Comparable along Conservative denomination, comprehensive educational programming (day school, religious school, adult education), lifecycle services, and social justice orientation. Larger scale but highly aligned in programming model.
• Temple Beth Sholom: Conservative synagogue on Long Island, NY. Comparable as a Conservative congregation offering comprehensive religious education, lifecycle services, and youth programming (USY). Similar scale and mid-sized community orientation.
• Congregation Sherith Israel: Historic Jewish congregation in San Francisco with strong educational, lifecycle, and social justice programming. Comparable as a community-oriented congregation with comprehensive programming across age groups, though denominationally Reform (closer alignment on programming than on movement).
• Temple Beth El: Conservative synagogue in Appleton, WI. Comparable as a Wisconsin-based Conservative congregation serving a mid-sized city with similar lifecycle, educational, and worship programming. Geographic proximity and similar scale make it a strong regional peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bethisraelcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beth-israel-center

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Beth Israel Center