Congregation Beth El

The story of Beth El starts from its initial organizational meeting on June 28, 1946. Twenty families attended, each pledging $100 per family to finance a High Holiday service in September. Over the next few months, a name was selected, committees were formed, membership drive details were finalized and the group invited everyone who wished to worship with them for the High Holidays. Imagine their joy and satisfaction that first Rosh Hashanah eve when 250 worshippers came throught the doors of their first home, the Masonic Hall Auditorium.

In 1949, Beth El established its first permanent home on Kilburn Place. The original building housed an auditorium, library and nursery school. Through the dedicated efforts of many early members, funds were raised to build a new sanctuary and chapel that would border Irvington Avenue. The new addition, completed in 1958, was heralded in a New York Times article for displaying the "richness of expression" characteristic of the new trend in contemporary synagogue architecture.

In 1991, Beth El completed an extensive renovation to ensure our presence in the community well into the 21st century. The project included construction of a new wing with offices for the Rabbi and Cantor, a library and a media room for the nursery school. The school wing was renovated, providing enlarged classroom and program space for nursery and religious school students.

Securing quality Jewish education was a priority for Beth El from the beginning. The Beth El Preschool was founded when the synagogue established its permanent home in 1949. Sixty years later, Preschool enrollment is over 90 students with year round programming for toddlers through Kindergartners.

In 1979, Congregation Beth El and Oheb Shalom Congregation of South Orange merged their religious school programs to form the Academy for Jewish Studies (AJS), instituting a program of study and experience designed to foster in students a strong, positive Jewish identity and life-long love of learning.

For over sixty years, Congregation Beth El has maintained a philosophy of providing leadership and resources for the Jewish and secular communities. Beth El was the driving force in the creation of the annual South Orange-Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service, now in its 28th year. Beth El’s vigorous support of the Jewish community includes important affiliations such as hosting Café Europa, a metrowest Holocaust survivors group, supporting the food pantry at St. Mark’s Church in West Orange, and the fulfillment of our commitments to Israel, the Conservative movement and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

For five decades the needs and talents of membership and clergy have combined to create a satisfying year round hub of Jewish life for the families of our congregation. Our varied activities encompass award winning children's Shabbat services, stimulating adult education programs, an energetic Sisterhood and Men's Club, a commitment to social action, inspirational worship of Shabbat, the holidays and festivals and a full calendar of public musical, cultural and educational events.

In 1996, Beth El celebrated its 50th Anniversary. At that dedication, we proudly recalled the heritage built by previous generations and looked forward to creating the second half century in the history of Congregation Beth El. May we go from strength to strength!

In June of 2006, Beth El marked its 60th Anniversary amd we celebrated with a special commemorative weekend on November 4th and 5th. In the words of founding member Jennie Beck, "we cherish the memory of the wonderful people whose wisdom, dedication, inspiration and guidance have brought us to this day."

Who We Are History of Beth El Membership Information Our Clergy Education Directors Executive Director & Staff Congregational Nurse Our Board		The History of Beth El The story of Beth El starts from its initial organizational meeting on June 28, 1946. Twenty families attended, each pledging $100 per family to finance a High Holiday service in September. Over the next few months, a name was selected, committees were formed, membership drive details were finalized and the group invited everyone who wished to worship with them for the High Holidays. Imagine their joy and satisfaction that first Rosh Hashanah eve when 250 worshippers came throught the doors of their first home, the Masonic Hall Auditorium. In 1949, Beth El established its first permanent home on Kilburn Place. The original building housed an auditorium, library and nursery school. Through the dedicated efforts of many early members, funds were raised to build a new sanctuary and chapel that would border Irvington Avenue. The new addition, completed in 1958, was heralded in a New York Times article for displaying the "richness of expression" characteristic of the new trend in contemporary synagogue architecture. In 1991, Beth El completed an extensive renovation to ensure our presence in the community well into the 21st century. The project included construction of a new wing with offices for the Rabbi and Cantor, a library and a media room for the nursery school. The school wing was renovated, providing enlarged classroom and program space for nursery and religious school students. A House of Study Securing quality Jewish education was a priority for Beth El from the beginning. The Beth El Preschool was founded when the synagogue established its permanent home in 1949. Sixty years later, Preschool enrollment is over 90 students with year round programming for toddlers through Kindergartners. In 1979, Congregation Beth El and Oheb Shalom Congregation of South Orange merged their religious school programs to form the Academy for Jewish Studies (AJS), instituting a program of study and experience designed to foster in students a strong, positive Jewish identity and life-long love of learning. A Dynamic Egalitarian Conservative Synagogue For over sixty years, Congregation Beth El has maintained a philosophy of providing leadership and resources for the Jewish and secular communities. Beth El was the driving force in the creation of the annual South Orange-Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service, now in its 28th year. Beth El’s vigorous support of the Jewish community includes important affiliations such as hosting Café Europa, a metrowest Holocaust survivors group, supporting the food pantry at St. Mark’s Church in West Orange, and the fulfillment of our commitments to Israel, the Conservative movement and the Jewish Theological Seminary. For five decades the needs and talents of membership and clergy have combined to create a satisfying year round hub of Jewish life for the families of our congregation. Our varied activities encompass award winning children's Shabbat services, stimulating adult education programs, an energetic Sisterhood and Men's Club, a commitment to social action, inspirational worship of Shabbat, the holidays and festivals and a full calendar of public musical, cultural and educational events. In 1996, Beth El celebrated its 50th Anniversary. At that dedication, we proudly recalled the heritage built by previous generations and looked forward to creating the second half century in the history of Congregation Beth El. May we go from strength to strength! In June of 2006, Beth El marked its 60th Anniversary amd we celebrated with a special commemorative weekend on November 4th and 5th. In the words of founding member Jennie Beck, "we cherish the memory of the wonderful people whose wisdom, dedication, inspiration and guidance have brought us to this day."