Bet Alef is not your old-school shul. Although we find deep, enduring wisdom in the ancient Jewish texts, our traditions serve as a springboard for a transformative personal spiritual encounter. We’re something of an outstanding congregation here in Seattle. We’re not affiliated with any of the established Jewish movements (e.g., Reform, Conservative, etc.). We are an inclusive, progressive Jewish community that borrows and builds from many sources.
We are students of mystical Judaism (also known as Kabbalah) and explorers of the non-dual spiritual path.
Our services include guided and silent meditations. Our wonderful Music Director, Dianna Rose, integrates Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and contemporary songs to our celebrations. We have members who grew up in all different kinds of Jewish homes—and many who grew up in other faiths. We are warmly embracing of all interfaith and LGBTQ individuals and families.
We’re located at the Center for Spiritual Living in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood by Green Lake.
Transformative Wisdom
۞ Grounded in ancient Jewish texts, aimed toward personal spiritual encounters ۞
Mystical Tradition
۞ Students of Kabbalah and explorers of the non-dual spiritual path ۞
Inclusive Community
۞ ALL are welcome here, regardless of faith, orientation, or ethnicity, with many opportunities to engage and connect ۞
Vibrant Spiritual Practice
۞ Creative music, meditation and mindfulness, study and more ۞
Progressive Values
۞ We believe in making the world a better place and praying with our hands and feet ۞
The Story Behind Bet Alef
Alef and Bet are the first two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The alef is the silent letter that symbolizes the silence of Spirit from which all sound flows. The name of the letter bet means “house”.
Our synagogue is named Bet Alef because we are creating a bet alef – a home for the Jewish spirit. Through a meditative approach to Jewish tradition, text, ritual, and identity, we support a spiritual deepening that can express through acts of greater compassion in the world.
Each of us is bet alef, a home for the spirit. At Bet Alef, we seek to link our spirituality with our daily living.
Our Spiritual Leader
Rabbi Olivier BenHaim
Rabbi Olivier BenHaim brings a unique transformative perspective to Judaism, anchored in Jewish meditation, daily spiritual practices and the power of Jewish rituals. His approach supports the integration of mind, body and spirit – in self, in community and in relation to our planet. Rabbi Olivier shares this focus in services, classes and workshops for all ages, including regular opportunities for families to share the joyous nature of Shabbat and Jewish life.
Our Founding Rabbi
Rabbi Ted Falcon
Rabbi Ted Falcon founded Bet Alef in 1993 to encourage a deeper celebration of Judaism as an authentic spiritual path. He retired from Bet Alef in 2009. Today, he shares the treasures of the Jewish Way in interfaith contexts with Sheikh Jamal Rahman and Pastor Don Mackenzie, the other Interfaith Amigos, with whom he has written Getting to the Heart of Interfaith.” and Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith.