Congregation B'nai Shalom (Easton, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congregation B'nai Shalom |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 1545 Bushkill Street, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Pennsylvania
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Synagogue |
| Date established | 2020 (merged congregation)
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| Completed |
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Congregation B'nai Shalom is a Jewish synagogue in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. It follows the Reform Jewish tradition. This congregation was created on August 1, 2020. It formed when two older groups decided to join together.
One of these groups, Brit Shalom, started way back in 1839. This makes it one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States! The other group was the B'nai Abraham Synagogue, founded in 1889.
Contents
History of the Congregations
Brit Shalom: An Early Beginning
Congregation Brit Shalom began on August 26, 1839. In 1842, the group built its first synagogue building. This building was located on South Sixth Street in Easton. Later, in 1959, the congregation moved to a new building. They also changed their name to Temple Covenant of Peace.
The old building on South Sixth Street was later used as a church. In 1996, it was noted as the third oldest synagogue building in the country. Sadly, this historic building was destroyed by fire in 2003.
B'nai Abraham: A New Community
Congregation B'nai Abraham was founded in 1889. Its name, "B'nai Abraham," means "Children of Abraham" in Hebrew. This group was started by Jewish immigrants. They came from places like Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Baltic countries. They practiced Orthodox Jewish customs.
The Merger: Becoming B'nai Shalom
After several years of talks, the two congregations decided to merge. This happened in August 2020, forming Congregation B'nai Shalom. At the time of the merger, B'nai Abraham followed the Conservative movement. However, the new combined congregation chose to embrace the Reform movement.
The new Congregation B'nai Shalom now uses the former B'nai Abraham Synagogue building. This building is located on Bushkill Street. The old Temple Covenant of Peace building was sold after the merger.
