Beth El Congregation - Beth El History

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Beth El History

Origins (1917 - 1925)

A HISTORY OF BETH EL CONGREGATION OF THE SOUTH HILLS

Pittsburgh, in 1905, was rapidly becoming the leading steel producing city in the United States. The city was well on its way to being known not only by the name “The Steel City” but also by its less complimentary sobriquet, “The Smoky City.” It was in this environment that residents began to migrate across the Monongahela to the newly built communities in the South Hills. This migration, naturally, included many Jewish families from Squirrel Hill to Beechview, a relatively new suburb. This new location combined easy access to the city of Pittsburgh (a short trolley ride) with the lure of country living and new business opportunities. However, by 1917, it became apparent to the Jewish residents of Beechview that something vital was lacking. The close proximity of synagogues and religious schools in the Squirrel Hill community did not exist in the South Hills. This situation was soon to change.

Builders (1926 - 1943)

In 1926, meaningful ceremonies marked the groundbreaking and placemen of the cornerstone for the Beechview Hebrew Congregation Beth El; Synagogue. Jacob Siegel received the honor of turning the first spadeful of dirt on this historic occasion. Finally, in 1927, the completed building at 1910 Broadway Avenue was dedicated as the original synagogue of Pittsburgh’s South Hills, and the dream that began with Rebecca Ruderman was finally realized. At the dedication service, Rev. Julius Bloom sang “Open the Gates of the Temple.” Senator James J. Davis purchased the key to the building and opened the door. This emotionally and historically charged day endured in the memories of charter members and community residents alike.

Men's Club Frolic 1927

Middle Years (1944 - 1951)

Rabbi Morris Haft, of Middle Village, New York, a graduate of Mesifta Tifereth Jerusalem of New York, was installed as Beth El’s third spiritual leader on October 29, 1944, along with President Abe Sniderman and other congregational officers. The Master of Ceremonies at the dinner was attorney I.J. Simon, Depury Registrar of Wills, whose talk was entitled, “Who Will Speak for Us at the Peace Table.” The November/December 1944 issue of the Beth El Guide, the congregation’s newsletter, contained in its Armed Services News column stories about the atrocities being committed against the Jews of Europe by the Germans. In addition, Walter Hirschmann was commended for his thirteenth trip to the Red Cross blood bank. Other members were challenged to compete with his precedent.

Expansion (1952 - 1960)

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.

New Residence (1961 - 1976)

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

Third Groundbreaking (1977 - 1981)

By 1977, Beth El membership had soared to a total of 300 families, compared to 130 in 1962. The religious school educated 200 children, again reflecting more than double the enrollment over the past decade and a half. However, the facility that had easily accommodated the Beth El family of 1962 now required enlargement. This was made all the more pressing since demographic studies by the United Jewish Federation predicted a continuing trend of increased population in the South Hills due to excellent schools, low crime, and the preexistence of Jewish institutions.

A Decade of Change (1982 - 1991)

A historic construction project occurred in 1982 when Beth El’s history was recreated and lovingly restored by the refurbishing of the Ahavas Zedek Chapel in memory of Leizer Balk. A talented group of ten volunteers headed by Ron and Brenda Orenstein remodeled the chapel using pieces from the original Beth El Building in Beechview that had been in storage. These valued objects included the ark, with a pair of walnut lions that had been hand-carved by the brother of Mrs. Eva Marmorstein, the Ner Tamid, and four stained glass windows. In addition, bima chairs and reader’s tables from the former Ohave Israel Congregation of Brownsville, Pennsylvania are preserved in the chapel along with their memorial plaques. The chapel, intended to accommodate small weddings and daily minyan services, serves a broader function as a reminder of the weaving of the old into the context of the new.

Anniversary and Growing Pains (1992 - 2000)

Beth El celebrated its Diamond Anniversary on May 3,1992 with a gala dinner. For those first seventy five years Beth El remained true to its purpose as stated in its constitution:

“...to establish and maintain a synagogue and such educational, religious, social, and recreational activities as will further the cause and objectives of this congregation and of tradition Judaism...”

Beth El at seventy five years featured a main sanctuary that could be expanded to seat 1000 people, a necessity for over 400 member families. In addition, there was handicap access, an amplification system for the hearing impaired, and large print siddurim.

Into the New Century (2000 and Beyond)

The new century came with a series of challenges, not only for the world, but also for Beth El. Rabbi Scheindlin departed in the summer of 2000 and Beth El was once again without a spiritual leader. Beth El also had to look at the harsh reality of the fact that the capital campaign begun in 1996 had fallen short of its goal to provide a financial cushion for the synagogue. Furthermore, without a rabbi, the prospect of having new members join seemed poor. In a bold, but ultimately wise move, Michael Syme agreed to remain president for another term, something that had never happened before. With his guidance, the synagogue hired Rabbi Alexander Greenbaum as its new spiritual leader. Rabbi Alex, as he is fondly referred to, is married to Rabbi Amy Greenbaum, who also contributes significantly to Beth El, most recently agreeing to serve as interim Education Director. The congregation celebrated the arrival of the Greenbaums on November 16, 2002 with an Installation Shabbat.

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