B'er Chayim Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids B'er Chayim Temple |
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The synagogue, in 2024
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Cantor Jessica Roskin |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 107 W Union at South Centre Streets, Cumberland, Maryland |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Maryland
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| General contractor | John B. Walton |
| Date established | 1853 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1864 |
The B'er Chayim Temple is a special place for Jewish people in Cumberland, Maryland. Its name comes from Hebrew and means "Well of Life." This name is a way to say that the Torah (Jewish holy teachings) is as important as water for life. It is a synagogue, which is a Jewish house of worship, and it follows Reform Judaism.
This temple is very old and important. It is the oldest synagogue building in Maryland that has been used continuously as a synagogue. It is also the sixth oldest synagogue in the entire United States. As of 2008, about 50 families were members of B'er Chayim.
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Leaders at B'er Chayim
Since July 2024, Cantor Jessica Roskin has been the spiritual leader of B'er Chayim. She grew up in North Miami Beach, Florida. Cantor Roskin studied music and religious studies at Indiana University. She also attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She became a cantor in 1994. Before joining B'er Chayim, she served other temples for many years.
Brian Lang is currently the President of B'er Chayim.
Services and Celebrations
The temple holds Shabbat services every Friday evening. Shabbat is a special day of rest and worship for Jewish people.
Throughout the year, B'er Chayim also celebrates many Jewish holidays. These include important holidays like Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, a day of reflection. They also celebrate Chanukah, the Festival of Lights.
History of the Temple
The first Jewish person recorded living in Cumberland was in 1816. By 1853, there were twelve Jewish families in the city. That year, the B'er Chayim congregation officially started. At first, the congregation followed Orthodox Jewish traditions. Today, it is a Reform congregation.
Building the Synagogue
Between 1865 and 1867, the congregation built its synagogue. It is located at the corner of South Centre and Union Streets. The building cost $7,427.02 to build. It was designed in a style called Greek Revival. This style looks like ancient Greek temples.
The front of the building has four tall, flat columns called pilasters. It also has a triangular part at the top called a pediment. The windows are round-arched, which is a style called Rundbogenstil. A local builder named John B. Walton constructed the building.
When the temple first opened, prayers and sermons were given in German, not Hebrew.
Mergers and Renovations
In 1996, another synagogue in Cumberland, Beth Jacob Synagogue, joined with B'er Chayim Temple.
The synagogue underwent a big renovation in 2011. Workers fixed the brickwork and restored the iron gates outside. They also improved the inside of the building. A very important change was making the synagogue accessible for wheelchairs.
The building officially reopened on August 17, 2014. A special ceremony to rededicate the synagogue happened on November 7, 2014. The Cumberland Historic Preservation Board even gave B'er Chayim an award for its excellent restoration work.
See Also
- List of oldest synagogues in the United States
- History of the Jews in Maryland
