Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform Jewish synagogue located on Lois Street in North Adams, built with a distinctive almond-shaped structure. Large windows frame views of the surrounding Massachusetts landscape from inside the building.

The congregation was founded in the 1890s by Eastern European immigrants and originally operated as House of Israel before taking its current name in 1961. The group later shifted its religious practices, first to Conservative Judaism and then to Reform Judaism in 2000.

The congregation serves as a gathering place for Jewish families in the North Adams area and participates in regional interfaith activities. Members come together for worship and community events throughout the year.

The building is easily accessible from Lois Street and offers a quiet setting for those visiting to explore the space. The congregation also maintains a cemetery in Clarksburg for burial services and community remembrance.

The current rabbi Rachel Barenblat gained attention for maintaining the Velveteen Rabbi blog, which she started before joining the congregation in 2011. The blog has built a following beyond the local community and shares Jewish reflections with readers across the internet.