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Programs & Events
The October 1948 issue of The Center Message reported that ground was broken for Beth El Synagogue’s new home on Union Avenue, 200 feet west of the intersection with Memorial Highway (Division Street) on Sunday morning, October 3, 1948. The land was originally purchased by the Men’s Club, which donated it to the synagogue. In November 1948, The Center Message was renamed The Beth El Message.
There are few times in the life of an individual and a community that call for special recognition. Many of us celebrate special birthdays and anniversaries in our own lives. Beth El Synagogue is preparing to mark such a special and unique celebration in the life of our community as we approach the 100th anniversary of our founding.
In 1909 a small group of fifteen Jews gathered together to form what was then known as the Hebrew Institute of New Rochelle. The certificate of incorporation states “to foster, encourage, and promote . . . the study of the Hebrew language and its literature.” Several of those who participated in this historic occasion were Hyman Bolnik, Morris Berson, and Oscar Sussman.
Photo courtesy of Rabbi Melvin N. Sirner Who obtained it from Judy Prince Shapiro, daughter of Bea and Walter Prince
In its earliest years, the Hebrew Institute was primarily a religious school to educate children in the community. In time, the Hebrew Institute changed its name to Beth El and became a synagogue with religious services and other related activities. Later Beth El built its beautiful synagogue on Union Avenue (behind what is now Sound Shore Medical Center) and that location served as a synagogue and religious school for many years. With the dramatic growth of the Jewish Community in the North End of New Rochelle, Beth El began to construct the building that we currently occupy.
The coming Centennial is a wonderful opportunity for our synagogue community to learn of our origin and rich history. Beth El’s growth over these 100 years, dating from 1909, parallels the dramatic growth of American Jewry and other significant events of the 20th and early 21st centuries.
Our community is blessed to have a large number of families whose roots in New Rochelle go back many decades. A substantial number of Beth El members have marked weddings, bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, and other special occasions in our shul. Our Centennial will provide an opportunity to recognize many of these families. Our rich history has been complemented by large numbers of families who have moved to New Rochelle and environs. New families affiliate with Beth El with each year.
President David Lacher has appointed Past President Russell Fayer, a second generation Beth El member, as chair of the Centennial Celebration Committee, which is currently in formation. In October, an open meeting of the committee was called by the chair to broaden participation of all segments of the Beth El community.
The projected activities and events include a distinguished lecture series and the recognition of multi-generational families, along with family milestones marked here over the last decades. Listed below are committees for which we invite you to join. ===================================================================
We encourage your participation. You can join one or more of the following committees.
Name______________________________________________
Email address________________________________________
Phone Number_______________________________________
Committees: ______Archives ______Budget ______Distinguished Speaker Series ______Docent tours of Building ______Fundraising ______Inaugural Event ______Program ______Publicity ______Video Interview of Founder and Members
Please complete the following:
Please return to Irwin S. Davison at idavison@bethelnr.org or to the synagogue office.
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