Bet Chaverim: Community Synagogue of South King County records, 1989-2006

In February 1989, a small chavurah (group) held a Shabbat service for the south King County Jewish community to discover if there was sufficient interest to establish a reform synagogue in this area. More than 100 people overflowed the tiny East Kent Library for that meeting. On 15 April 1989, The Community Synagogue of South King County was formed under Roy Golub's leadership.

After a couple of years the religious school held a contest to re-name the synagogue. The winning name was Bet Chaverim (House of Friends).

From the start, Bet Chaverim has been a family-oriented synagogue, with quality education for children and adults, observing Jewish traditions and rituals, and providing a friendly and diversified community.

Through the years, Bet Chaverim has moved to different locations and is currently located at the Saltwater Unitarian Church, in Des Moines, Washington.

Bet Chaverim has had four rabbis since their inception. The first rabbi, Ted Stainman, served as rabbi for ten years, retiring in 2005. Rabbi Zari Weiss and then Student Rabbi Amy Rossel served their community for two years each. Rabbi Rick Harkavy then led their community from 2009 - 2015, and Rabbi Emily Meyer began in July 2015.