It’s not often that you meet a 100 year old. Most organizations and people have an expiration date far earlier than the century mark. Not Beth El Congregation--we are proud to be celebrating our centennial year!
Tucked away in a remote corner between Mt. Lebanon and Scott Township, Beth El is spiritually led by husband-wife duo Rabbis Alex and Amy Greenbaum. Over the course of the next year, we will be celebrating our centennial through a series of events, recognitions and fundraisers.
An article about Beth El’s Centennial was recently featured in the Almanac. Read it HERE
Beth El Congregation began 100 years ago with the vision of an extraordinary woman–Rebecca Ruderman. A member of the growing Jewish community of Beechview, Rebecca recognized the need for a local Hebrew school for the children. She braved the hilly, unpaved streets, literally knocking on doors in search of Jewish families. She organized other Jewish mothers to form The Jewish Women’s Club of Beechview, a group whose mission was to develop a formal Hebrew curriculum, recruit students, and find a home for the new Hebrew School.
The men of the community began gathering for services in the same rooms used for schooling, and before long they met formally to charter an Orthodox synagogue: Beechview Hebrew Congregation Beth El. By 1920, the congregation had purchased its first lot at 1910 Broadway in Beechview. [Read more]
As part of Beth El’s Centennial celebration, we are creating a special book, “The People of Beth El – 100 Years Young,” and we need your help! We are collecting stories and pictures from our member families to create a Member Recollection chapter. Whether you’re a new member or a 50+ year member, we would love to include your memories in this once in a century project! Find out more HERE
Help us reach 100 Mitzvahs during the 100th anniversary year. How will YOU get involved? What will YOU do?
Featuring members of our diverse and delightful congregational family, 100 Reasons celebrates Beth El’s 100th anniversary with 100 stories, 100 memories, 100 reasons to join us!
If you would like to add your story or memory to the blog, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required.
August 4, 2017
Celebration Fifteen years ago as a new century began, our community was in turmoil and we did not have a rabbi to guide us. Working together we strove to stay positive. So many of our members put in countless hours to keep Beth El spiritually, socially and financially strong, as we searched for a new…
August 4, 2017
Since late June, Beth El and the South Hills Jewish community have stepped up for our friends in Africa who are suffering from famine. The work done by our community has been publicized across the country, and on three continents! I hope that you read the article last week in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, or…
July 14, 2017
I was born into Beth El. My parents were born into Beth El. My grandparents and great grandparents were here, part of the original group of founders. One set of my parents’ families was from Beechview and one from Brookline. I came up through the religious school and had my Bar Mitzvah under Rabbi Steindel.…
