Bet Shira Congregation

Bet Shira Congregation is a synagogue affiliated with Conservative Judaism located in Miami, Florida.
==Religious school==
The syangogue has an active religious school that serves students from pre-school through the Bar & Bat Mitzvah training.
In addition, a Judaica high school program which allows Jewish students to get college credit from Miami Dade College for taking classes on Jewish topics is held in the Bet Shira classrooms.
==Community programs==
Bet Shira holds an annual "Mitzvah day" every year, where volunteers, and members engage in activities such as: Gardening at Miami Metrozoo and Pinecrest Gardens; planting trees at homes of the disabled and elderly as part of a Treemendous Miami project; blood drives; clothing, toy, and medical supply drives; preparing sandwiches for Camillus House.[gardening at Miami Metrozoo and Pinecrest Gardens; planting trees at homes of the disabled and elderly as part of a Treemendous Miami project; blood drives; clothing, toy, and medical supply drives; preparing sandwiches for Camillus House. 
==Clergy==
Bet Shira's clergy include:
Rabbi David H. Auerbach is the founding rabbi of the congregation. Originally from Montreal, Canada, he previously served as associate rabbi of Ahavat Achim synagogue in Atlanta, Georgia, and then senior rabbi of Beth David Congregation in Miami, FL prior to the founding of Bet Shira. Upon retirement in 2005, he is followed by Rabbi Micah Caplan, who has served on the admissions committee and has taught at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University.
Cantor Mark Kula, assumed the post of cantor in 1987. He is the son of Cantor Morton Kula, and they are the only father & son that have been ordained as cantors by the Jewish Theological Semionary in NY. He is the brother of famous Rabbi Irwin Kula. Prior to coming to Miami, Cantor Kula was the assistant Cantor of New York's Park Avenue Synagogue.
==Customs==
The congregation is an egalitarian - conservative syangogue and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of America.
==History==
In February 1985, a nucleus of families heeded the call of Rabbi David H. Auerbach "to go where the children are" and created the framework to establish "The Conservative Congregation of South Dade" to serve the Miami-Dade County, Florida area. Within three weeks more than 200 members pledged their support and $1,000,000. The membership increased to 300 families in the weeks that followed. A $3.5 million goal was set at the initial meeting and the enthusiasm of these committed families showed the need for a new Conservative congregation.
The name "Bet Shira" meaning "House of Song" was selected to reflect the upbeat and dynamic character of the founders. On May 5, 1988 the Letty Roth Synagogue Complex was dedicated and the Arin Stacey Appplebaum Sanctuary. 
Bet Shira has continued to grow and develop. Bet Shira is currently known as one of the largest Conservative congregations in the Southern United States.
==References==
==External links==
*Official synagogue site
*Bet Shira religious school
Category:Conservative synagogues in the United States
Category:Synagogues in Florida