Our leadership

From the President, Janet Kelley

Welcome to Congregation Beth Yam's home on the Internet. Please take the time to read more about who we are.

Our Congregation, founded in 1981, is a Reform Jewish congregation and a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. Today, our membership has grown to about 300 families consisting of both full-time and part-time residents, from all over the United States. We are the only full service synagogue in southern Beaufort County; our membership is comprised of families from many different backgrounds. We are a congregation where diversity is embraced and made a part of our everyday life.

Congregational life at Beth Yam is a tapestry of spiritual, educational, cultural and social activities. In addition to Shabbat and Holiday services, we provide a wide spectrum of adult education programs, an adult choir, a religious school program and a broad range of social activities.

Rabbi Brad Bloom and his wife Linda have been with us since July 1, 2009. Rabbi Bloom was ordained at Hebrew Union College and a member of the Rabbinate for 30 years.  Rabbi Bloom is a prominent, active and visible member of the Lowcountry clergy and writes a bi-weekly column in the local paper, The Island Packet. As the leader of the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Jewish community, feel free to call upon him with any questions you may have or for his assistance with life-cycle events.

We consider ourselves a family reaching out with love to all who want to join us. When you are in town, please join us for services and experience the warmth that personifies Congregation Beth Yam. Please stay for our Oneg immediately following Shabbat services and meet Rabbi Bloom and the members of our congregation. We, of course, welcome all visitors to our holiday programs. Please check our calendar on this website for the specific times of all of our services throughout the year.

We welcome you to any of our services.

Board of Directors

Front row, left to right: Janice Fradkin, JoAnne Doyle, Robin Katz, Joel Greene, Edward Fine, Douglas Luba.
Back row, left to right: Rabbi Brad Bloom, Walter Margeson, Helen Hauer, Jack Resnick, Howard Rothchild, Stuart Gaynes, David Perlman, Gene Meyers, Jeff Shapiro, Patricia Levitt, Candy Solomon.

Not pictured: Kim Shapiro, Janet Kelley