On a sparkling autumn day in October 1961, the Beth El family celebrated by meeting on the new land. The guest of honor who spoke on the occasion was Dr. Maz Artz, Vice-Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary. The program paid tribute to the original founders of Beth El in 1927, who remained equally invaluable to the construction to the new building. The following month a massive capital campaign was launched with the promising slogan, “Beth El - New in ’62." A program of honorials and memorials for the new building requested contributions such as $250 for a kiddush cup, $2,500 for a classroom, and $5,000 for the main synagogue dome. Although interest rates were lower in the 1960's, borrowing was a difficult task. Many members selflessly signed personal guarantees to acquire some of the initial funds

 

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held June 24, 1962 with Rabbi A. Irving Schnipper presiding. Milton Sussman was the guest speaker as well as guest rabbi Kenneth Bromberg, who would soon become the spiritual leader in the new Beth El, serving from 1962 through 1970. The physical act of groundbreaking symbolized the continuity of three generations of Beth El, as Sam Minsky, an original founder, assisted by his small grandson, Jeffrey, performed the esteemed task.

     

 

Three months later congregants assembled in the first sanctuary of the new Beth El (now the Melman Social Hall) for High Holiday services. The event was slightly marred by the Pittsburgh weather that produced torrential downpours and turned rural Roessler Road into a sheet of mud. Jeeps transported many members from Cochran Road to the new building. Although many congregants were drenched by the rain, they initiated the many seasons of holy days to be observed in the new Beth El building with happy, triumphant hearts.

On November 12, 1962, the architect, Carl Pearlman displayed the ongoing plans during a “Tour of the New Beth El” at the Webster Hall Hotel. “Beth El - New in ‘62" had attained reality. In that first year Beth El thrived as a congregation, with membership reaching 130 families. Newly formed adult education classes taught by Rabbi Kenneth and Johanna Bromberg were available during daytime and evening hours. Financial matters remained in the forefront, as reported in the minutes of the November 4, 1962 Board meeting. A complex dialogue addressed the issue of determining a required building fund pledge. The Board agreed to sign a contract for $55,000 with Mellon Stuart for the construction of a school building. While the original structure faded into history, the plans and inspiration of Beth El’s founders endured permanently in its consciousness.

The congregation matured socially and educationally in 1963. A dinner dance under the chairmanship of Phyllis Stahl provided entertainment on February sixth. The evening featured an original musical review, cleverly composed by Lucille Rubinstein and Harvey Rose, entitled Beth El - Off Broadway. The show boasted such pieces as “They Have Finished Up the Shul on Time,” recounting the muddy travels to the first Rosh Hashanah services, “Ten to Minyan,” and “There’s No Business Like Shul Business.” On a more traditional note, March of 1963 saw the first classes held in the new school building. A phenomenal enrollment of 200 children personified the purpose of Beth El’s original founders. Furthermore, June 1963 marked the proposal of a nursery school under the auspices of Beth El.  

 

February 24 - 26 was chosen for a memorable dedication weekend to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the new Beth El and the fiftieth year since its founding. Rabbi Kenneth Bromberg delivered the Friday evening sermon, “What the Sanctuary Is - And What It Is Not.” Shabbat morning services were led by the youth congregation. The weekend culminated with the dedication of the new sanctuary and the four stained glass windows adorning it. Nicholas Parrendo of Hunt Stained Glass Studios of Pittsburgh aesthetically designed the windows depicting mitzvot in Jewish life, a theme developed by Rabbi Bromberg. The first window portrays the Jewish life cycle, with the chair of Elijah, a Torah scroll, a chuppah, and a spade symbolizing birth, bar/bat mitzvah, marriage, and death respectively. The second window illustrates the annual cycle revolving around the observance of festivals. The shofar, sukkah, four cups of wine, masks, and two tablets of the Law pictorially represent the festivals. The third window echoes Judaism’s daily cycle, utilizing the symbols of a crown, the washing of the hands, a tallit, and Shabbat lights to express berachot. Lastly, the fourth window conveys the mitzvot that transpire between peoples and their fellow human beings. Balanced scales, food, shelter, and wheat represent tzedakah. It is apparent from this sampling of visual symbols that each observer of these windows will uniquely experience their significance. (See color photos and a detailed description of each window below.) Recognizing Beth El’s remarkable growth as a full-service congregation, Johanna Bromberg designed a magnificent marriage chuppah which coordinated with the colors and themes on the new bima. 

In September of 1969, the Beth El Nursery School opened its doors to the preschoolers of the South Hills community. A dinner reception honored Cantor Samuel J Lazier on November eighth. Dr. Gilbert Lazier of Columbia University presented the speech “I Talk to the Trees,” and Rabbi Bromberg offered his observations “From the Other Side of the Bima.” Cantor Lazier’s tenure spanned twenty years of Beth El’s history. It would be with great sadness that the Beth El family would note the passing of beloved Sam Lazier in November 1971. 

Rabbi Bromberg, a successful instiller of scholarship, departed Beth El in 1970 to accept a new pulpit. Aaron Michaelson then served as rabbi for a brief time. In 1973, Alan Scheimer accepted the volunteer position of Ben Gurion United Synagogue Youth (BGUSY) advisor, a commitment that would continue for eight years. His continuous leadership helped to mold an inactive youth group into a strong, cohesive chapter, that continues as such to this day. In the early seventies, the eloquent orations of Rabbi Stephen Steindel and the resounding, impassioned singing of Cantor Herman Weisberg filled the vacancies on the bima. In May 1974, Rabbi Steindel organized a congregational tour to Israel. The journey to the Promised Land attracted both first time and veteran visitors. 

 

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