Congregation Beth Israel
Encyclopedia
Congregation Beth Israel is a synagogue
located in West Hartford, Connecticut
. The is one of the two the oldest Jewish congregations in Connecticut
, it is one of the largest Reform
Jewish
congregations in New England, with about 900 member families and about 2,000 individual members.
As Temple Beth Israel, its 1933 building was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
in 1995.
Beth Israel serves as a center for worship, education, and social programs.
.
The congregation occupies a large building dominated by an enormous Byzantine
dome. Inside are a sanctuary (upon which the dome is built), a chapel, a religious school, a pre-school, offices, two meeting halls, a small museum, and a library. Beautiful stained glass windows are present in both the sanctuary and the chapel. The building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. government.
The congregation worships in a notable 1936 building by architect Charles R. Greco
. Built at the height of the Art Deco
period, the Byzantine revival form in Art Deco style presents a majectic appearance. In 2006 congregation was given the West Hartford Historic Preservation Award in 2006 for its meticulous restoration of the historic structure.
" in Hebrew
, was founded in 1843, the year the Connecticut legislature first permitted public worship by Jews in the state. Congregation Mishkan Israel
was founded in the same year. It began as an Orthodox
congregation. However, in part influenced by the immigration of German Jews to Hartford
, the congregation quickly adopted Reform
practices. In 1877, Congregation Beth Israel joined with other American Reform
Jewish
congregations to form the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (which is now known as the Union for Reform Judaism
), an umbrella support organization for American Reform Jewish congregations. Beth Israel continues to be a member of the Union for Reform Judaism
.
still standing in the United States.
Abraham Feldman, a leading exponent of Classical Reform philosophy. One of the innovations that Rabbi
Feldman brought to Congregation Beth Israel was the Confirmation ceremony at age 16.
Rabbi
Feldman's influence was far reaching. He fostered a sense of community and was held in great respect by most, if not all, of the Congregation. He focused on building a congregation that people stayed in for a long time and celebrated all their life cycle events as a Congregation. His long service as Rabbi
meant that many people were born, confirmed, and married under his leadership. Indeed, even at the beginning of the 21st century, a number of older congregants would use his leadership and rabbinate as an example.
Harold Silver succeeded Feldman in 1968. He would serve as Senior Rabbi for 25 years, retiring in 1993. Silver came from a family of rabbi
s. The five generations of his family before him served as a rabbi
. His father, Maxwell Silver, was a rabbi
in New York
; his uncle, Abba Hillel Silver
, was a rabbi in Cleveland, Ohio; and his grandfather, Moses Silver, was a rabbi
in Jerusalem. Silver was ordained in 1951 at Hebrew Union College in New York City. Rabbi
Silver's first rabbinate was as Assistant Rabbi at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh. He went on to become Rabbi
at Temple Emanuel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, where he served from 1955 until he came to Congregation Beth Israel in 1968.
Silver was prominent in the Hartford Jewish community. He organized the first Greater Hartford Rabbinical Board of Rabbis, which brought together rabbi
s from different Jewish congregations and movements. He also served on a variety of community boards, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Silver also promoted cross-religious interfaith
dialogue, preaching at many local churches and encouraging peace and understanding between people of different faiths. Additionally, Silver taught Judaism
courses at local universities
.
Rabbi
Silver retired in 1993 became Rabbi Emeritus. (See Leadership)
Simeon Glaser, who has served as Assistant Rabbi
at Congregation Beth Israel at the end of Rabbi
Silver's tenure as Senior Rabbi
. Glaser was popular particularly with young families and children because of his love, and evident talent, for music
and song
. Glaser put on exciting Purim
and Simchas Torah holiday services in which he would team up with Cantor Green and Assistant Rabbi Weiss to sing, dance, and act out the stories of the holidays. After service four years as Senior Rabbi, Glaser left Beth Israel, first to serve at a small Conservative
synagogue
in Wethersfield, Connecticut
and then to Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minnesota
.
. Early on, the New American Committee was formed to provide education assistance, licensure help, clothing acquisition assistance and help with the home needs of the new Americans. The New American Committee also continues to provide educational opportunities including lectures and weekly language classes (see Education). Congregation Beth Israel now has a large Russian speaking population and immigrants make up a significant demographic of the Congregation.
congregations, is led by both a lay board and clergy.
, an Assistant Rabbi
, and a Cantor
. Occasionally, this system has changed to better reflect realities of the offices, such as when Rabbi
Weiss held the title of Assistant Rabbi
, then Associate
Rabbi, and then simply Rabbi
(with no qualification) after serving the congregation for many years from the late 1990s until early the early 2000s. Additionally, the Congregation now has the position of Rabbi
Emeritus, occupied by the previous Senior Rabbi
Harold Silver.
is Stephen Fuchs. Fuchs has been Senior Rabbi since 1997, having previously served as Senior Rabbi
The Temple Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville, Tennessee for 11 years.
Rabbi
Fuchs attended Hamilton College before attending Hebrew Union College
. He began his career Temple Isaiah in Columbia, Maryland
, where he served for 13 years. Throughout his career, Fuchs has been dedicated to interfaith
events, having served on the board of the Hartford Seminary
, a Hartford based United Church of Christ
minister training school, and annually leading Beth Israel in joint worship with churches. He is also a past chair of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Committee on inter-religious affairs
Fuchs is also committed to social justice, having served on the Board of Directors of Saint Francis Hospital as a member of the hospital’s Medical Affairs Committee and on the Board of Directors of Foodshare, a regional foodbank for Hartford and Tolland counties. Fuchs is also the only non-African-American to be the featured speaker at the Nashville
Martin Luther King banquet held annually at Tennessee State University
. He also serves on the National Commission on Social Action for the Union for Reform Judaism
.
before attending Hebrew Union College
in New York City. During his time at Hebrew Union College
, Pincus served as student rabbi at a number of congregations in Virginia
, New Jersey
, Massachusetts
, and New York
.
of Congregation Beth Israel. Before pursuing Cantorial studies at Hebrew Union College
, Siskin studied in Rome, sung with the Royal Opera House in London
and the Israel National Opera. She moved from the United Kingdom
to the United States
in 1985 to enroll in Hebrew Union College
and study to become a cantor
.
After ordination, Siskin served as cantor
at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, New Jersey
until 1998, when she came to Beth Israel.
Cantor Sisken also serves at Beth Israel Director of Education.
and American Judaism
in general. Silver has also received a Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) from Hebrew Union College
for his rabbinical service.
The President is the head of the Board of Trustees and the lay leader of Congregation Beth Israel. It is his job to make sure the congregation continues to run smoothly and spearhead any new projects that become necessary.
The Vice-Presidents assist the President. At any given time there is usually between 3 and 5 Vice-Presidents. Usually Vice-Presidents are long standing members of the Board of Trustees who have been particular active, often as Committee Chairs. It is common for Vice-Presidents to eventually become President, and they are often chosen to be Vice-President with this in mind.
The Treasurer is in charge of the finances and the Secretary takes minutes at the meetings.
Jewish
practices. Men and women sit and pray together. The service usually follows a variant on the traditional Jewish
service, usually mixing English
and Hebrew
(the English usually, but not always, reflecting at least the meaning if not a literal translation of the Hebrew). Services usually use the Gates of Prayer, the New Union Prayer Book
or the book, though occasionally the clergy will write or adapt another service.
service. It takes place in the sanctuary and is led by the clergy. Occasionally during the summer the service takes place outside instead. Over 100 people regularly attend these services weekly.
The congregation also has Saturday Morning Shabbat
services, also in the sanctuary and led by the clergy. Usually the services follow Torah
study, which takes place at the synagogue and is led by the clergy (See Education).
Beth Israel, like most Jewish
congregations has special services for holidays. Hundreds of people annually attend the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
services.
A daily minyan
service is held in the chapel and is usually led by a lay person, though occasionally the clergy will lead.
Students of the Youth Education Program also attend a student/parent service on Sunday mornings in the chapel.
values, history, and traditions. Additionally, conversational Hebrew and prayer reading in Hebrew is taught. Students also attend Sunday Morning Services where they learn basic Jewish
prayers.
education and promote knowledge and spirituality.
services (See Worship). About 20-30 congregants participate each week and the session last about an hour. Torah study sessions are led by a rabbi
at Beth Israel.
Pamela Siskin and Jane Zande are the Director and Associate Director, respectively, of the Lifelong Learning program, which strives to educate and build the Jewish community.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
located in West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town was incorporated in 1854. Prior to that date, the town was a parish of Hartford....
. The is one of the two the oldest Jewish congregations in Connecticut
Oldest synagogues in the United States
The designation of the oldest synagogue in the United States requires careful use of definitions, and must be divided into two parts, the oldest in the sense of oldest surviving building, and the oldest in the sense of oldest congregation...
, it is one of the largest Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
congregations in New England, with about 900 member families and about 2,000 individual members.
As Temple Beth Israel, its 1933 building was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1995.
Beth Israel serves as a center for worship, education, and social programs.
Location
Congregation Beth Israel is located at 701 Farmington Ave in West Hartford, ConnecticutWest Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town was incorporated in 1854. Prior to that date, the town was a parish of Hartford....
.
The congregation occupies a large building dominated by an enormous Byzantine
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the Roman Empire after AD 330, when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire east from Rome to...
dome. Inside are a sanctuary (upon which the dome is built), a chapel, a religious school, a pre-school, offices, two meeting halls, a small museum, and a library. Beautiful stained glass windows are present in both the sanctuary and the chapel. The building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. government.
The congregation worships in a notable 1936 building by architect Charles R. Greco
Charles R. Greco
Charles R. Greco was an American architect who worked in the Boston area during the first half of the 20th century.-Childhood and architectural education:...
. Built at the height of the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
period, the Byzantine revival form in Art Deco style presents a majectic appearance. In 2006 congregation was given the West Hartford Historic Preservation Award in 2006 for its meticulous restoration of the historic structure.
Founding and Affiliation
Beth Israel, which means "House of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
" in Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, was founded in 1843, the year the Connecticut legislature first permitted public worship by Jews in the state. Congregation Mishkan Israel
Congregation Mishkan Israel
Congregation Mishkan Israel, in Hamden, Connecticut, founded in 1840 and incorporated in 1843, the year the Connecticut legislature first permitted non-Christian organizations to incorporate in the state, is one of the two the oldest Jewish congregations in Connecticut. .The congregation was...
was founded in the same year. It began as an Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
congregation. However, in part influenced by the immigration of German Jews to Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, the congregation quickly adopted Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
practices. In 1877, Congregation Beth Israel joined with other American Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
congregations to form the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (which is now known as the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
), an umbrella support organization for American Reform Jewish congregations. Beth Israel continues to be a member of the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
.
First Synagogue
Congregation Beth Israel's first synagogue was built at 21 Charter Oak Ave. in Hartford in 1876. Though Beth Israel left the building in 1936, the building still stands and is presently occupied by the Charter Oak Cultural Center. It is among the oldest synagogue buildingsOldest synagogues in the United States
The designation of the oldest synagogue in the United States requires careful use of definitions, and must be divided into two parts, the oldest in the sense of oldest surviving building, and the oldest in the sense of oldest congregation...
still standing in the United States.
Rabbi Feldman
Beth Israel moved to into its present location in 1936. For most of the middle of the 20th century (1925–1977), the Congregation was led by RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Abraham Feldman, a leading exponent of Classical Reform philosophy. One of the innovations that Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Feldman brought to Congregation Beth Israel was the Confirmation ceremony at age 16.
Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Feldman's influence was far reaching. He fostered a sense of community and was held in great respect by most, if not all, of the Congregation. He focused on building a congregation that people stayed in for a long time and celebrated all their life cycle events as a Congregation. His long service as Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
meant that many people were born, confirmed, and married under his leadership. Indeed, even at the beginning of the 21st century, a number of older congregants would use his leadership and rabbinate as an example.
Rabbi Silver
RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Harold Silver succeeded Feldman in 1968. He would serve as Senior Rabbi for 25 years, retiring in 1993. Silver came from a family of rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s. The five generations of his family before him served as a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. His father, Maxwell Silver, was a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; his uncle, Abba Hillel Silver
Abba Hillel Silver
Abba Hillel Silver was a U.S. Rabbi and Zionist leader. He was a key figure in the mobilization of American support for the founding of the State of Israel.-Biography:...
, was a rabbi in Cleveland, Ohio; and his grandfather, Moses Silver, was a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
in Jerusalem. Silver was ordained in 1951 at Hebrew Union College in New York City. Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Silver's first rabbinate was as Assistant Rabbi at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh. He went on to become Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
at Temple Emanuel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, where he served from 1955 until he came to Congregation Beth Israel in 1968.
Silver was prominent in the Hartford Jewish community. He organized the first Greater Hartford Rabbinical Board of Rabbis, which brought together rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s from different Jewish congregations and movements. He also served on a variety of community boards, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Silver also promoted cross-religious interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
dialogue, preaching at many local churches and encouraging peace and understanding between people of different faiths. Additionally, Silver taught Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
courses at local universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
.
Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Silver retired in 1993 became Rabbi Emeritus. (See Leadership)
Rabbi Glaser
Silver was succeeded by RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Simeon Glaser, who has served as Assistant Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
at Congregation Beth Israel at the end of Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Silver's tenure as Senior Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. Glaser was popular particularly with young families and children because of his love, and evident talent, for music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
. Glaser put on exciting Purim
Purim
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther .Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th...
and Simchas Torah holiday services in which he would team up with Cantor Green and Assistant Rabbi Weiss to sing, dance, and act out the stories of the holidays. After service four years as Senior Rabbi, Glaser left Beth Israel, first to serve at a small Conservative
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Wethersfield, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and then to Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
Soviet Immigration
During the 1990s, Congregation Beth Israel became instrumental in the absorption of hundreds of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. Early on, the New American Committee was formed to provide education assistance, licensure help, clothing acquisition assistance and help with the home needs of the new Americans. The New American Committee also continues to provide educational opportunities including lectures and weekly language classes (see Education). Congregation Beth Israel now has a large Russian speaking population and immigrants make up a significant demographic of the Congregation.
Leadership
Congregation Beth Israel, like most American JewishJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
congregations, is led by both a lay board and clergy.
History
Beth Israel has long had a clergy system consisting of a Senior RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, an Assistant Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, and a Cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
. Occasionally, this system has changed to better reflect realities of the offices, such as when Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Weiss held the title of Assistant Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, then Associate
Associate
Associate may refer to:* A business valuation concept.* A title used by some companies instead of employee.* A title used to signify an independent person working as if directly employed by the company of which they are an associate...
Rabbi, and then simply Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
(with no qualification) after serving the congregation for many years from the late 1990s until early the early 2000s. Additionally, the Congregation now has the position of Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Emeritus, occupied by the previous Senior Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Harold Silver.
Senior Rabbi
The current Senior RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
is Stephen Fuchs. Fuchs has been Senior Rabbi since 1997, having previously served as Senior Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
The Temple Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville, Tennessee for 11 years.
Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Fuchs attended Hamilton College before attending Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
. He began his career Temple Isaiah in Columbia, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, where he served for 13 years. Throughout his career, Fuchs has been dedicated to interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
events, having served on the board of the Hartford Seminary
Hartford Seminary
Hartford Seminary is a theological college in Hartford, Connecticut, USA.-History:Seminaries in the city of Hartford date back to 1833. In 1913, the current Hartford Seminary came into existence through the combination of three Hartford-based schools affiliated with the city's Congregationalist...
, a Hartford based United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
minister training school, and annually leading Beth Israel in joint worship with churches. He is also a past chair of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Committee on inter-religious affairs
Fuchs is also committed to social justice, having served on the Board of Directors of Saint Francis Hospital as a member of the hospital’s Medical Affairs Committee and on the Board of Directors of Foodshare, a regional foodbank for Hartford and Tolland counties. Fuchs is also the only non-African-American to be the featured speaker at the Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
Martin Luther King banquet held annually at Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:...
. He also serves on the National Commission on Social Action for the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
.
Assistant Rabbi
Michael Pincus is the current Assistant Rabbi. He studied at the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
before attending Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
in New York City. During his time at Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
, Pincus served as student rabbi at a number of congregations in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Cantor
Pamela Siskin is the CantorHazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
of Congregation Beth Israel. Before pursuing Cantorial studies at Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
, Siskin studied in Rome, sung with the Royal Opera House in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the Israel National Opera. She moved from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1985 to enroll in Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
and study to become a cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
.
After ordination, Siskin served as cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
until 1998, when she came to Beth Israel.
Cantor Sisken also serves at Beth Israel Director of Education.
Rabbi Emeritus
Silver has continued his activity with Congregation Beth Israel as Rabbi Emeritus. He annually leads the Rosh Hashanah Shofar service which enjoys great popularity with the congregation. He has also written a book, I Will Not Let You Go Until You Bless Me - Memoirs of a Reform Rabbi, in which he explains and examines not only his career but also ReformReform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
and American Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
in general. Silver has also received a Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) from Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
for his rabbinical service.
Structure
The lay leadership of Congregation Beth Israel set policy, hires clergy, and oversees the running of the congregation. The governing body is the Board of Trustees, which consists of approximately 30 active members of the congregation. The head of the board is the President, who is assisted by a number of Vice-Presidents, a Tresurer, and a Secretary. Additionally, the Brotherhood President, Sisterhood President, Young Families Chair, Youth Group President, and the clergy sit on the board but mostly in an ex-officio capacity.Officers
The officers of the Board of Trustees are the President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary.The President is the head of the Board of Trustees and the lay leader of Congregation Beth Israel. It is his job to make sure the congregation continues to run smoothly and spearhead any new projects that become necessary.
The Vice-Presidents assist the President. At any given time there is usually between 3 and 5 Vice-Presidents. Usually Vice-Presidents are long standing members of the Board of Trustees who have been particular active, often as Committee Chairs. It is common for Vice-Presidents to eventually become President, and they are often chosen to be Vice-President with this in mind.
The Treasurer is in charge of the finances and the Secretary takes minutes at the meetings.
Committees
The Board of Trustees has a number of committees that manage different aspects of the congregation. Some important committees include the Finance Committee, the Ritual Committee, and the Social Action Committee.General Practices
Worship at Congregation Beth Israel follows ReformReform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
practices. Men and women sit and pray together. The service usually follows a variant on the traditional Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
service, usually mixing English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
(the English usually, but not always, reflecting at least the meaning if not a literal translation of the Hebrew). Services usually use the Gates of Prayer, the New Union Prayer Book
Gates of Prayer
Gates of Prayer, the New Union Prayer Book is a Reform Jewish siddur that was announced in October 1975 as a replacement for the 80-year-old Union Prayer Book , incorporating more Hebrew content and was updated to be more accessible to modern worshipers...
or the book, though occasionally the clergy will write or adapt another service.
Worship Times
The most popular regular service is the Friday Night ShabbatShabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
service. It takes place in the sanctuary and is led by the clergy. Occasionally during the summer the service takes place outside instead. Over 100 people regularly attend these services weekly.
The congregation also has Saturday Morning Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
services, also in the sanctuary and led by the clergy. Usually the services follow Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
study, which takes place at the synagogue and is led by the clergy (See Education).
Beth Israel, like most Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
congregations has special services for holidays. Hundreds of people annually attend the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
services.
A daily minyan
Minyan
A minyan in Judaism refers to the quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations. According to many non-Orthodox streams of Judaism adult females count in the minyan....
service is held in the chapel and is usually led by a lay person, though occasionally the clergy will lead.
Students of the Youth Education Program also attend a student/parent service on Sunday mornings in the chapel.
Innovations
Congregation Beth Israel has added a few innovations to services:- a monthly Friday Night ShabbatShabbatShabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
Family service that is aimed at children and young families. - RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Stephen Fuchs has recently initiated an Alternative Yom KippurYom KippurYom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
service, in addition to the regular service, in order to better serve the modern congregation. - one service a month using the older New Union Prayer (as opposed to the newer Gates of Prayer) in order to better serve the members who preferred the earlier book.
General
Beth Israel has educational opportunities for all ages and types of congregants. Currently, and historically, the Cantor has held the role of Director of Education.Youth Education Program
The Youth Education Program is for children preschool through 7th grade. It teaches JewishJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
values, history, and traditions. Additionally, conversational Hebrew and prayer reading in Hebrew is taught. Students also attend Sunday Morning Services where they learn basic Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
prayers.
La'atid: Learning For Life
La'atid is a lifelong learning program for families and adults, the point of which is to continue JewishJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
education and promote knowledge and spirituality.
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark is Congregation Beth Israel's Pre-school and Early Care and Education program that has been accredited by the National Association of Early Childhood Programs since July 1994. Noah's Ark is located in the synagogue.Torah Study
Beth Israel holds weekly Torah study at the synagogue, usually just prior to Saturday Morning ShabbatShabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
services (See Worship). About 20-30 congregants participate each week and the session last about an hour. Torah study sessions are led by a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
at Beth Israel.
New American Education
The New American Committee provides educational opportunities including lectures and weekly language classes to Soviet immigrants. (See History)Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Community Learning Center
Funded with the help of private donors, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Hartford Foundation of Public Giving,the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Community Learning Center opened in April, 2008.Facilities
The new learning center has a number of facilities, including the Deborah Library, which boasts over 13,000 lendable volumes, the Miller Media Center, a Children's Room, and the Abraham J. Feldman Museum and Archives where artifacts are stored from the past 160 years.Staff
CantorHazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
Pamela Siskin and Jane Zande are the Director and Associate Director, respectively, of the Lifelong Learning program, which strives to educate and build the Jewish community.
External links
- Synagogue website
- National Register of Historic Places
- Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Community Learning Center
See also
- Oldest synagogues in the United States
- U.S. National Historic Site
- List of National Register of Historic Places entries
- Universal Health Care Foundation of ConnecticutUniversal Health Care Foundation of ConnecticutUniversal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut is an independent, nonprofit organization with offices in Meriden, Connecticut. The foundation supports the mission of its parent organization, CHART...