Congregation Beth Adam

Congregation Beth Adam is a Humanistic Jewish congregation in Symmes Township housed in a contemporary building that reflects both secular and traditional Jewish principles through its design and layout. The space serves members with areas for worship, education, and community gatherings while embodying a modern approach to Jewish practice.

Rabbi Robert Barr founded this congregation in 1980, making it among the first to embrace Humanistic Judaism in Cincinnati. The community moved to its current Symmes Township building in 2001.

The congregation blends Jewish traditions with secular perspectives, creating a space where members explore religious practices through reason and personal choice. Visitors experience a contemporary understanding of Judaism that centers on questions of identity and intellectual freedom.

The building is accessible to visitors interested in attending services, lectures, or community programs at any time. It helps to check in advance for scheduled activities to make the most of a visit.

The congregation maintains extensive records from 1980 to 2013, including architectural plans and documents that reveal how their philosophical approach shaped the physical and organizational design. These archives provide insight into how the Humanistic movement took form through tangible choices and structures.