Congregation Beth Israel (West Hartford, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Beth Israel |
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The current synagogue in West Hartford, in 2008
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
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| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut 06119 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Connecticut
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | 1876:
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| Date established | 1843 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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| Dome(s) |
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Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue located in West Hartford, Connecticut. Its name, "Beth Israel," comes from Hebrew and means "House of Israel."
Founded in 1843, it is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in Connecticut. It is also one of the largest Reform Jewish groups in New England, with about 900 families and 2,000 individual members.
The congregation has had two main synagogue buildings. The first, in Hartford, was built in 1876. It was designed by George Keller in the Romanesque Revival style. The second and current building, in West Hartford, was finished in 1936. It was designed by Charles R. Greco in the Art Deco and Byzantine Revival styles. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important historical sites.
Contents
The Synagogue Buildings
Temple Beth Israel has a beautiful and large building. It features a huge dome, which is a round roof. Inside, you'll find the main worship area called the sanctuary, a smaller chapel, and a religious school. There are also offices, meeting rooms, a small museum, and a library. Both the sanctuary and the chapel have lovely stained glass windows.
The current building was designed in 1936 by Charles R. Greco. It combines the Art Deco style, which was popular then, with the Byzantine Revival style. In 2006, the congregation received an award for carefully restoring this historic building.
This synagogue building is one of fifteen in Connecticut that were added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1990s. This shows how important these buildings are to the state's history.
A Look Back: History
How it Started
Beth Israel was founded in 1843. This was the first year that the state of Connecticut allowed Jewish people to worship publicly. Another Jewish group, Congregation Mishkan Israel, also started that same year.
Beth Israel began as an Orthodox congregation. However, many German Jewish immigrants came to Hartford, and their influence led the congregation to quickly adopt Reform practices. In 1877, it joined with other Reform Jewish congregations in America to form the Union for Reform Judaism.
The First Synagogue Building
Congregation Beth Israel's first synagogue was built in Hartford in 1876. It was located on Charter Oak Avenue. Even though Beth Israel moved out of this building in 1936, it is still used today by the Charter Oak Cultural Center. This building is one of the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.
Important Rabbis
Rabbi Abraham J. Feldman
Temple Beth Israel moved to its current location in 1936. For most of the middle of the 20th century (from 1925 to 1977), the congregation was led by Rabbi Abraham J. Feldman. He was a very important leader in the Reform Jewish movement.
Rabbi Feldman helped build a strong community at Beth Israel. He encouraged people to stay with the congregation for a long time and celebrate all their life events there. Many people were born, had their confirmation ceremonies, and got married under his leadership. He introduced the confirmation ceremony at age 16 for young people.
Rabbi Harold Silver
Rabbi Harold Silver took over from Rabbi Feldman in 1968. He served as the senior rabbi for 25 years, retiring in 1993. Rabbi Silver came from a family of rabbis; five generations before him were rabbis.
Rabbi Silver was a well-known figure in the Hartford Jewish community. He helped create the first Greater Hartford Rabbinical Board of Rabbis, which brought together rabbis from different Jewish groups. He also worked on many community boards, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Rabbi Silver also encouraged dialogue between different religions. He often spoke at local churches to promote peace and understanding. He also taught Judaism classes at local universities. In 1984, he hired Connecticut's first female associate rabbi, Jody Cohen, to work at Beth Israel.
Rabbi Simeon Glaser
Rabbi Simeon Glaser followed Rabbi Silver. He was especially popular with young families and children because he loved music and song. Rabbi Glaser made holiday services like Purim and Simchas Torah very exciting. He would sing, dance, and act out the holiday stories with the Cantor and Assistant Rabbi.
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs became the senior rabbi in 1997. He has served as Rabbi Emeritus since 2011.
Welcoming New Immigrants
In the 1990s, Congregation Beth Israel played a big part in helping hundreds of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union. A group called the New American Committee was formed to help these new arrivals. They provided help with education, finding jobs, getting clothes, and setting up their homes. This committee also offers classes, including language lessons. Today, many Russian-speaking immigrants are part of the congregation.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in West Hartford, Connecticut
- Oldest synagogues in the United States
