About Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Beth Israel was founded in 1959 by a number of local Jewish families, who wanted a permanent home for the Jewish community. Beth Israel was the first, and for many decades, the only Jewish presence on the Mississippi Gulf Coast which Jews from all different backgrounds could call home. Beth Israel was first located in Biloxi and after being ravaged by hurricane Katrina in 2005, relocated to its current home at Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.
From its inception Beth Israel never maintained a full time Rabbi until early 2020 when Rabbi Akiva and Rebbetzin Hannah Hall were brought on board.
Beth Israel is a traditional synagogue which conducts itself according to authentic Jewish beliefs and practices. A major foundation of our community is inclusion and outreach and we strive to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable regardless of level of observance, Jewish education or affiliation.
Vision: CBI’s Vision is to nourish and enhance all aspects of Jewish life on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and to reach out to others with acts of goodness and kindness in the Jewish tradition of tzedakah and living a spiritual life.
Mission: CBI’s Mission is to welcome people of diverse Jewish backgrounds to (1) provide a place of worship and prayer for people of the Jewish faith; (2) create a sense of community to enhance Jewish identity; (3) expand the knowledge and understanding of Jewish heritage; (4) support and celebrate key events in the Jewish life cycle; and (5) educate youth to prepare for Jewish milestones.
From its inception Beth Israel never maintained a full time Rabbi until early 2020 when Rabbi Akiva and Rebbetzin Hannah Hall were brought on board.
Beth Israel is a traditional synagogue which conducts itself according to authentic Jewish beliefs and practices. A major foundation of our community is inclusion and outreach and we strive to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable regardless of level of observance, Jewish education or affiliation.
Vision: CBI’s Vision is to nourish and enhance all aspects of Jewish life on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and to reach out to others with acts of goodness and kindness in the Jewish tradition of tzedakah and living a spiritual life.
Mission: CBI’s Mission is to welcome people of diverse Jewish backgrounds to (1) provide a place of worship and prayer for people of the Jewish faith; (2) create a sense of community to enhance Jewish identity; (3) expand the knowledge and understanding of Jewish heritage; (4) support and celebrate key events in the Jewish life cycle; and (5) educate youth to prepare for Jewish milestones.
Staff
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Rabbi
Rabbi Akiva Hall was born in Las Vegas in 1989, and as a child relocated with his family to Ocean Springs, MS. Akiva attended local public schools through high school, graduating in 2008. An "only child”, Akiva was raised by his parents Ron and Lara (z’’l), and from a young age was brought up in a proud Jewish environment, the family being active members of Congregation Both IsraeI for many years. After being inspired to become a rabbi while still in Hebrew School, Akiva attended Yeshiva Or Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles, The Rabbinical Collage of America in Morristown, and received his ordination from Yeshiva Chovevei Torah Lubavitch in New York in 2012.That year he married his wife Hannah and they moved to Los Angeles, where their daughter Leah was born. Shortly after, Akiva and Hannah were given the opportunity to move back to the Gulf Coast to create “Chabad of Southern Mississippi”. This move gave Akiva the unique ability to work and live in the community that he had grown up in. Over the years, Akiva has served as rabbi and spiritual leader for many, as well as a chaplain, teacher, and Jewish advocate. He also teaches the 3rd grade boys class on the Nigri Jewish Online School. Akiva views being a father and husband as his primary responsibility, and is also passionate about learning and teaching Torah. He is an avid reader and enjoys writing, traveling, and visiting museums. Rebbetzin
Rebbetzin Hannah Hall was born in Bakersfield, CA in 1991. Hannah’s family grew up as active members in the local Reform Temple, where she consistently attended Sunday and Hebrew school for many years. When Hannah was ten years old, her family began attending the local Chabad, and decided to incorporate more Jewish observance into their lives, including switching from public school to Emek Hebrew Academy in the Los Angeles valley. From there she went on to study at Valley Torah High School. After graduating, Hannah spent a full year immersed in higher Jewish education in Jerusalem at Afikei Torah Seminary, and later at Maalot College back in LA. Hannah and Akiva were married in 2012 and settled in LA until their daughter Leah was born in 2013. At this point in their lives, they began discussing which direction their life’s work would take them. They were offered the possibility of bringing Chabad to the Coast. Although the decision to move far from her family was difficult, Hannah chose to relocate to Biloxi in 2014 to help grow and inspire the Jewish community, serving as co-director alongside her husband. Hannah has always been inspired by the message of Chabad, the same message that led her parents to introduce her to a full, meaning Jewish life. Hannah is passionate about helping Mississippi’s Jews connect to Judaism, which she does by forging meaningful, lasting relationships, and sharing the beautiful and inspiring life Torah has to offer. Hannah is a strong women, and takes seriously her mission to create a warm, authentic Jewish home, and to spread the teachings of Torah to others. In her spare time, she also enjoys baking, cake decorating, interior design, and of course spending time with her friends and family. |
Current Board for 2023/2024
President: Ryan Goldin
Vice-President: Amy Goldin
Treasurer: Lauren Epstein
Secretary: Judy Black
Membership chair: John Clark
Board members: Sue Rokaw and Leon Sootin
Vice-President: Amy Goldin
Treasurer: Lauren Epstein
Secretary: Judy Black
Membership chair: John Clark
Board members: Sue Rokaw and Leon Sootin