Congregation Beth El (Bethesda, Maryland)

For other synagogues called Beth El, see Temple Beth-El.
Congregation Beth El

Stained glass window by artist David Ascalon at Congregation Beth El
Location within Maryland
Basic information
Location Bethesda, Maryland
Geographic coordinates 38°59′34″N 77°06′25″W / 38.992778°N 77.106944°W / 38.992778; -77.106944Coordinates: 38°59′34″N 77°06′25″W / 38.992778°N 77.106944°W / 38.992778; -77.106944
Affiliation Conservative Judaism
Status Active
Leadership Rabbi Bill Rudolph, Rabbi Greg Harris, Hazzan Matt Klein
Website www.bethelmc.org
Architectural description
Architectural type Synagogue

Congregation Beth El is a synagogue located in Bethesda, Maryland. Beth El is an egalitarian synagogue providing diverse worship in the Conservative tradition.[1]

Congregation Beth El started in 1951 as a synagogue of 16 families and has grown to approximately 1,000 families.[2]

Bill Rudolph is Rabbi[3] and Greg Harris is Associate Rabbi.[4] Matt Klein is Hazzan and Abe Lubin is Hazzan emeritus.[5] Rudolph, Harris, and Lubin have each been featured on the PBS television program Religion & Ethics Newsweekly.[6]

Congregation Beth El is housed in a modern structure of approximately 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) on Old Georgetown Road.[7] On the bimah of the main sanctuary are two large tapestries, installed in September 1997. Created by local artist Tamar Fishman and executed by British weaver Pat Jones, the tapestries are inspired by two narratives from the Book of Genesis that envision episodes in the life of the patriarch Jacob. One tapestry, named Beth El, reflects Genesis 28:10–19, and the other, named Israel, reflects Genesis 32:25–32.[8] The tapestry Beth El was dedicated by former congregation President Walter Arnheim.[9]

Congregation Beth El has received recognition for its award-winning adult education program, the Saul Bendit Institute.[10] Beth El’s adult b'nai mitzvah ceremony received special notice in 2010 when 94-year-old Esther Isralow became the oldest of 19 congregants to complete the 18 months of study led by Rabbi Harris that culminated in the service.[11] And Congregation Beth El has held interfaith seminars, such as a 2010 seminar on leadership with perspectives from the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Koran.[12]

In 2008, Congregation Beth El received a grant from the Pathways Awareness Foundation recognizing its actions to include worshippers of all abilities.[13] And in 2009, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism gave Beth El an award for the quality of its bulletins.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Welcome to Congregation Beth El". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  2. ↑ "History". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  3. ↑ "Rabbi Bill Rudolph". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  4. ↑ "Associate Rabbi Greg Harris". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  5. ↑ "Clergy". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  6. ↑ Bob Abernethy and Betty Rollin. “Jewish Reaction to Madoff Scandal.” Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. (Mar. 20, 2009). (Rabbi Rudolph). "Tallit Making." Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. (Feb. 8, 2008). (Rabbi Harris). "Belief & Practice: High Holidays: Prayer with Cantor Abraham Lubin." Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. (Sept. 21, 2001).
  7. ↑ "Facilities". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  8. ↑ "The Beth El Tapestries". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  9. ↑ "The Beth El Tapestries". Retrieved 2010-08-08.
  10. ↑ “Bendit Institute Classes to Start.” Washington Jewish Week. 46 (6) (Feb. 11, 2010): 37.
  11. ↑ Tara Bahrampour. “At 94, Exercising Her Mind and Heart with a Bat Mitzvah.” The Washington Post. (Feb. 28, 2010): C1.
  12. ↑ “Religion Notes.” The Washington Post. (Feb. 11, 2010): GZ28.
  13. ↑ “Beth El Gets Grants, Thanks to Bar Mitzvah Project.” Washington Jewish Week. 44 (48) (Nov. 20, 2008): 11.
  14. ↑ “USCJ To Honor Three Local Shuls.” Washington Jewish Week. 45 (35) (Aug. 27, 2009): 29.

External links

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