The Napa Center for Thought & Culture is a newly formed entity, developed under the auspices of Congregation Beth Shalom, with a mission to nurture the heart, mind, and spirit with knowledge, culture, and community.  Its vision is grounded in Jewish traditions and values, striving to build bridges to creative and intellectual pursuits, with programs that lead to awareness, inquiry, and a deeper understanding of the human journey.

These values have inspired the Center’s founding:

• Chochmah, or Wisdom. Above all, the Center will be a place that embraces the pursuit of learning.
• Hachnasat, Welcoming the Other. The Center will draw to the beautiful Napa Valley a diversity of individuals and groups, from near and far, to gather and build community.
• Rachamim, The Center comes to life at an important moment in our society and culture.  Never in our lifetimes has there been such an acute need to reach out, to hear others’ stories, and to build understanding.