For member and guest safety, we have implemented extra security measures. We appreciate your understanding as we verify all guest identities. NEW GUESTS ARE REquested to CONTACT US & REGISTER IN ADVANCE

Welcome to Beit Echad

A unique blend of Jewish traditions in St. Joseph, MO.

Shabbat, Holidays, & Community

Participate in our vibrant community's activities and events.

Adult & child Education, a vibrant sisterhood group, & lay leadership

Cultural Events & Activities

Celebrating a Rich Heritage

Explore meaningful worship experiences that inspire and uplift throughout the year.

We Are Beit Echad

. . . One House

Reform and Conservative Judaism in One House, retaining over a century of tradition, embracing the future, and fostering community and spiritual growth for all.

Please Register Here

Regarding The Security and Safety of Members and Guests

Beit Echad welcomes visitors of any faith or background to experience the joy of Shabbat, biblical and religious education, and community.

UNFORTUNATELY, due to growing anti-semetic incidents and safety concern around the country and locally, our congregation has been forced to take additional actions beyond our current security guard and locked doors to further ADDRESS SECURITY for our members and guests in a new way. Sadly, the steps being taken are becoming common in many Jewish congregations, and we ask for your understanding of the need to know who our guests are for everyone's safety and benefit.

WE THEREFORE REQUEST THAT NEW VISITORS CONTACT US IN ADVANCE OF ATTENDING.

Shabbat, Holidays, & Community

Christmas & Hanukkah

Tis The Season of Miracles ... and Confusion

Differences Between Christmas And Hanukkah

(webmaster note: slight editorial changes were made to update this 2024 article for 2025)

No Dreidels Or Christmas Trees Were Hurt In The Creation Of This Article

by Jeff Dunetz שמואל בן נח | Dec 23, 2024 |

People say America is a “melting pot,” but it’s really supposed to be a gumbo..all in the same broth, but keeping our own shapes. All too often, people lump the two together in the politically correct expression “happy holidays.” But the two holidays are very different.

[edited out because it's specific to 2024]

One sad thing about each faith’s end-of-the-year holiday is that most Jews do not understand Christmas, and most Christians don’t get Hanukkah. But they should understand the differences.

The major difference is that Christians are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Each faith believes Jesus was a nice Jewish boy who entered his father’s business. The real disagreement is about his father’s occupation.

As we are about to celebrate Chanukah and Christmas, it’s time for me to explain their other differences to my fellow members of the Jewish nation and to my Christian friends (with tongue firmly in cheek).

Conclusion: Chanukah and Christmas are different holidays with different meanings, but whichever one you celebrate…I wish you a joyous holiday surrounded by family and friends. May God fill the coming year with love, good health, peace, and more than a few laughs. After the past twelve months, we need it more than ever.

Shabbat, & Community

Passover Calendar

APRIL 1st -at home- Passover begins Wednesday evening, April 1st, with congregants celebrating the First Seder at home.

APRIL 2nd -at Ft. Leavenworth- A Second Seder dinner and observance for the community will be held at Fort Leavenworth on Thursday, April 2nd.

April 3rd -Shabbat eve service canceled- In preparation for the Beit Echad Seder on Saturday, April 4th, no services.

April 4th -at Beit Echad- B.E.'s community Seder will be held on Saturday, April 4th.

SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS AND MAKING RESERVATIONS

Beit Echad Seder - Saturday, April 4th, 4PM

$30 per person, under 12 free. Make your reservation by Wednesday, March 25th

Ft Leavenworth Seder - April 2nd, 6PM

No Charge. Make your reservation and must request a base pass by Friday, March 20th

HIGH HOLYDAYS 5787

ALL DETAILS, DATE, & TIME INFORMATION HERE

"It's not a sprint - it's a marathon, but also a relay -

you‘re not expected to cover the entire distance yourself "

* Feel free to come and go *

* Sit or stand, at your convenience *

* Experience what's most meaningful & perhaps something new *

Rosh Hashanah 2026

Beit Echad celebrates two days of Rosh Hashanah: a Friday night evening service, our annual dessert reception, a special Saturday morning service with Torah study, a Tashlich ceremony, a Saturday evening service as we enter the second day of Rosh Hashannah, and on Sunday a traditional morning service.

The first day of Rosh Hashanah, being on Shabbat this year, traditionally has no sounding of - or opportunity to hear - the Shofar. Therefore, to offer variety in our services, the morning of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, will not be your typical Rosh Hashanah service, but will instead be a more abbreviated service and focus on discussion and study of the day's Torah portion. Foollowing a shorter service we will be able to then proceed to the pond behind BE for a Tashlich service and symbolically cast away our sins.

The second day of Rosh Hashanah, on Sunday morning, will be the typical Rosh Hashanah service including all the Shofar soundings that we missed on Shabbat, the previous day.

Although a two-day event, religiously it is considered as one, very long, day. Both days are of equal significance - neither more important than the other - so when you attend one, the other, or both days you are attending the "real" Rosh Hashanah. Whether it's Saturday morning for a "different" kind of Rosh Hashanah with learning and discussion, or Sunday morning for the traditional Rosh Hashanah service including all Shofar soundings, we know you will find the significance you are looking for as we welcome this new year and you to Beit Echad.

YOM KIPPUR 2026

Beit Echad provides a complete Yom Kippur observance: Sunday night just before sunset, Kol Nidrei is chanted on Yom Kippur eve; Monday morning begins the day service with prayer, a full Torah service, and Yizkor; after a short break we return in late afternoon for a short Torah service, Torah study, and prayers leading into the closing services of Ne'ilah and Havdalah; the longday concludes with our annual break-the-fast meal provided by our dedicated sisterhood.

Worship Services -

Rabbi Rudnick concluding Yom Kippur with Havdalah

Join us for inclusive worship services that honor both Reform and Conservative Jewish traditions.

Participating in our Simchat Torah hakafot

Our first rabbi dinner with Rabbi Padorr

Upcoming worship leaders

Aug 7 - Janet E, Leader; Steve Cantor

Aug 14 - Marsha C, Leader; Bob Cantor (S&aS)

Aug 21 - Julie M, Leader; ??, Sermon; Bob Cantor

Aug 28 - Rabbi Padorr (& dinner)

Aug 29 - Rabbi Padorr (adult study-Mussar)

Sep 4 - NO SERVICE - Labor Day weekend

HIGH HOLY DAYS - YOM KIPPUR

Sep 20 - YK Eve, Kol NIdrei, Rabbi Rudnick

Sep 21 - YK & break fast, Rabbi Rudnick

Sep 25 - Sukkot Eve Shabbat

Oct 2 - Simchat Torah Shabbat - Bob O Leader and Cantor

Oct 9 - ??, Leader; ?? Cantor (S&aS)

Leading Shabbat services

HIGH HOLY DAYS - ROSH HASHANAH

Sep 11 - RH1 Eve Shabbat ; Rabbi Rudnick (& reception)

Sep 12 - RH1, Tashlcih, & RH2 Eve; Rabbi Rudnick

Sep 13 - RH2 with Shofar sounding; Rabbi Rudnick

Sep 18 - Shabbat Shuvah Eve, ??

Sep 19 - Shabbat Shuvah - Shir l'Shabbat (musical experience)

Lay members assisting as worship leader & cantor

Cultural Events & Activities

On the 2nd Friday of the month following an abbreviated Sabbath eve service, we enjoy a Jewish themed movie with a light meal or refreshments. Services start at 6 PM with the movie following at 6:30.

Mussar -

Shabbat and a Show -

On Saturday mornings when Rabbi Padorr visits, an adult study and discussion session delves into the Jewish practice of Mussar, how to live a meaningful and ethical life. Mussar is virtue-based ethics — based on the idea that by cultivating inner virtues, we improve ourselves. The study sessions begin at 10AM and will last about 1-1/2 hours.

Adult Study -

Sisterhood -

Our active Beit Echad Sisterhood meets regularly on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Including hosting meals and assisting with organization of religious holidays, they offer a variety of social activities, community engagement, and charitable giving. Meetings start at 11AM.

Child Education -

Following adult study on Saturday mornings when Rabbi Padorr visits, she spends time with the children. Through music, singing, and games, age-appropriate learning is offered. Child education sessions start about 11:30 and typically last about half an hour.

Timely Events -

As world events, history, and the calendar may dictate, special events are organized to keep us engaged and united with Jewish communities of our nation and world. Remembrance events such as those for The Holocaust and Israel Oct. 7 Massacre are examples.