Centennial Celebration - A Look at 1960

The cover of our November 1960 Bulletin featured a photograph of Beth El’s Rabbi Golovensky with then President-Elect John F. Kennedy. The caption read, “Rabbi David I. Golovensky, as president of the New York Board of Rabbis, is shown at a private meeting with President-Elect (then candidate) John F. Kennedy. Rabbi Golovensky, together with the Executive Board, was invited by Senator Kennedy prior to the election. The Board of Rabbis also met with Vice President Richard M. Nixon. To the left of the senator is Rabbi Harold H. Gordon.”
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Beth El’s Centennial celebration promises to be an exciting and ongoing commemoration of this milestone in our history. You will soon be receiving a “Save the Date” notice for our kick-off event, which will be held Sunday, September 7th. This event will be planned for—and involve—our entire congregation.

During the course of the year, we intend to have numerous cultural, historical, and especially, exciting events. Our program committee has already begun to look into speakers, concerts, game nights, and other ideas. We intend to prominently display many of our archives, and to provide docents to lead tours of both the archives and the synagogue itself. We also hope to compile a video history of Beth El, and a video chronicle of our commemoration.

We are still looking for volunteers to help in all areas. We previously circulated a form on which you can indicate your willingness to assist on various subcommittees. We urge you to express your preferences. Send us an email at info@bethelnr.org if you are interested. This celebration is for all of us, and we want everyone to be a part of it.