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 27, 2017
This week’s 100 Reasons blog features Beth El members Robyn Harris and Bruce Waldo. Robyn: I grew up at Beth El. Bruce and I met in California. Bruce: We met in LA, and when we were dating we would come back here to visit her folks, and I loved it. I grew up in a…
August 19, 2017
This week we sent another $1,014 to Uganda, raised by Beth El. I asked Rabbi Sizomu whether our publicity has led to help from other groups. His answer was very promising! Thank you so much Cliff, I have seen a deposit of $1014. We will continue to distribute food. Yes, we got $20,000 last week…
August 11, 2017
Ty: One of my favorite things about Beth El is getting to go to services and being welcome. Sophia: One of my favorite things that I’ve gotten to do at Beth El for the past couple of years is I got to participate in Steam Team, which is helping Martin out with his Bar Mitzvah…
