There was a period of expansion during the 1950's. Basic membership dues increased to seventy five dollars (including Hebrew school) in September 1952. In December of the same year, the Beth El Gift Shop opened for business during the Hanukkah season and featured such items as holiday music boxes, Israeli dolls, and menorot in chrome and brass. Prior to that time, there was an informal, portable gift shop that appeared at each congregational event.

In March 1953, Sid Baker and Howard Lazear chaired a committee to organize a Junior Congregation to serve singles and married couples, ages twenty one through thirty six. The Mother’s Club was renamed Beth El Sisterhood and remained crucial in the existence of the religious school. This was documented in the November 1953 Beth El Guide: “With the not-too-gentle prodding by our Sisterhood, the wheels are now turning in the direction of a building...” Indeed, the Sisterhood experienced success when December’s religious school enrollment rose to ninety-five students, an increase of thirty over the previous year!

Another bright spot occurred when Samuel Lazier joined Beth El as full-time Cantor. Cantor Lazier had been singing in synagogues since his boyhood. Prior to joining Beth El, he sang with the Beth Sholom choir for twenty two years, and served for five years as its director. The richness and nostalgic quality of Cantor Lazier’s voice touched all who were privileged to witness this gentle man’s chanting.

 

A volunteer choir, under the guidance of gifted directors, further enhanced the beauty of Beth El’s Friday evening and High Holiday services for many decades. Hy Kimel, Al Freed, Jeff Klotz, Shirly Tannenbaum, and Bill Lowenstein served as Beth El choir directors from the fifties through the eighties.

In 1957 Beth El experienced its first husband/wife presidential team when Sam Rudt served as congregation president and his wife, Mollie, was president of the Sisterhood. To date, they remain the only such alliance.  

By the late fifties, the ever expanding congregation crowded the Beechview building beyond its maximum potential. Furthermore, the members’ children received their religious instruction in a large basement, a potential fire tram. By this time, many second generation families had ventured further into the South Hills suburbs to reside in Scott Township, Greentree, and Mt. Lebanon. While consideration was given to an addition to the existing building, those in favor of construction on a new site prevailed as the molders of Beth El’s future. Not only would a new building site provide the room needed for a growing congregation, but it would also be able to alleviate the parking problem such expansion engendered. 

The first meeting of the Beth El Building Committee, chaired by Seemen Rose, first met on January 11, 1959. They continued to meet on alternate Sundays. Initially, the committee considered a plot of land at the intersection of Old Gilkeson and Washington Roads. However, they were unable to obtain the proper zoning permits from Mt. Lebanon municipality and subsequently had to change their plans. An article, authored by Alvin and Barbara Ring in the March 1961 issue of The Shofar revealed:

“At an open congregation meeting held Sunday, March fifth, the members of Beth El Congregation unanimously approved the purchase of a large tract of land in Scott Township for a new synagogue building. The new site comprises some sixteen acres in a highly scenic and secluded locale off Cochran Road... The congregation commended Sidney Hoffman and William Crosby of the land committee who were instrumental in securing an option on the land.”

Beth El Congregation had found its second home!  

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