Temple Beth Am, Seattle, WA

July 03, 2008 30 Sivan 5768

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The Founding of Temple Beth Am

by founding member Molly Cone

‘The first new congregation to be formed in Seattle in more than a generation’ (The Transcript, January, 1956) started among a handful of View Ridge neighborhood young families, some of whom were post-war newcomers. They sought a Jewish connection closer to their North end homes and a stronger and more personal voice in the growth and direction of the religious education of their families.

Talk about the possibilities of starting a North end congregation had begun with several of the founders long before the initial service held on Friday, January 6, 1956, at the U. W. Hillel House. The 25 chairs that had been set up could not accommodate the more than 100 interested participants who attended. Becoming a North end branch of Temple De Hirsch was considered but in the end, for various reasons, the group went it alone. This approach had its challenges. Some of those who were initially interested did not continue. One participant argued strongly for simply renting an old house in which to hold services, and forgetting about hiring a rabbi. All talked of eventually limiting the total membership to no more than 200 families to maintain friendliness. Later, figures were even presented ‘proving’ that building a temple of our own was clearly not feasible.

Despite all this, the old house idea was thrown out, a Reform affiliation was adopted, a permanent rabbi was hired, the unfeasible building was built, and the limited membership number ignored-all with great satisfaction and success.

That men and women would share equally in all aspects of our congregation was one of the first principles of Beth Am’s congregational personality. Taking part in services, conducting the affairs of the congregation, and standing in as acting rabbi when necessary would all be equally shared by men and women.

The first rule of the sanctuary was that the wearing or not wearing of yarmulkes was a matter of individual choice. The first religious school included a nursery school for 3 and 4 year olds and an adult education class. All in all, Beth Am members saw themselves as a like-minded group of Jews who encouraged equal participation by all, and held social action programs high on the priority list.

In March of 1958 when Temple Beth Am affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations there were about 70 member families with about 138 children. The first reform temple to be chartered in Seattle in 50 years was thriving.

* Molly Cone is an award winning author of children’s books. She and her husband Gerald are members of Temple Beth Am.

Temple Beth Am Timeline

1956-1959 A New Congregation Forms Jan. 4, 1956 announcement in the Seattle Times: “The first new Jewish congregation in Seattle in more than a generation will be launched with a service Friday evening...”	December 1955	Committee for the new Congregation drafts and distributes letters to potential members and steering committee
	January 6 1956	First Friday night service attended by more than 170 people majority of whom want to affiliate with Reform movement
	January 1956	Charter memberships set at $25
	Spring 1956	Number of charter members reaches 50, the number set for calling an organizational meeting and electing officers
	May 1956	First board installed with Ludwig Lobe as President
	1956	Rabbi Joseph Messing, an Army chaplain, serves as part-time rabbi
	Jan - May 1956	Services held at UW Hillel House
	June 1 1956	Beginning relationship with University Unitarian Congregation where services held until synagogue is built First baby naming: Ellen Nancy Cone
	July 1956	First congregational social event: a picnic Temple Beth Am admitted as member of UAHC 70 member families - 138 children
	September 1956	First religious school classes held at NW Branch YMCA including nursery school for 3 and 4 year olds First High Holy Day services
	October 1956	Problems of Integration & Desegregation in Seattle is topic of one of new adult education program offerings
	January 1957	Bar Mitzvah of Stephen Weiss is first at Beth Am with Rabbi Messing officiating
	June 1957	Newly ordained Rabbi Robert L. Zimmerman named as first full-time rabbi
	November 1957	Senator Henry Jackson guest speaker at Adult Education session
	June 1958	Rabbi M. Arthur Oles becomes new rabbi
	March 1958	First bat mitzvah-Susan Schreiber
	September 1958	With anticipated school enrollment of 200 religious school classes move to View Ridge School
	January 1959	130 member families. Dues are $120 per family including school.
	May 1959	First brochure prepared for membership drive
1960’s & 1970’s A Home Of Our Own & A Community Making a Difference Statement of Principles, May 12, 1966 “...let our congregation be religious, democratic, creative, relevant and learned...”	July 1960	A lot is purchased (current site) from Remy Picard, a local farmer and plans are developed for Temple Beth Am’s first synagogue
	June 1962	Rabbi Norman Hirsh named new rabbi
	1965	Temple Beth Am building including sanctuary, classrooms for religious school and social hall is dedicated and first High Holy Day services held there in September 160 member families
	1969	Social Action Subcommittees: Israel, Vietnam War, Civil Rights Czech Torah (holocaust survivor) dedicated
	1972	Program at Temple Beth Am: A Gourmet’s Tour of Israel
	1975	Traditional right to left Gates of Prayer adopted. Some of the prayers in the new Gates of Prayer were written by members and Rabbi Hirsh.
1980’s & 1990’s Moving toward the future “It is the first great task of the synagogue to be a moral force in our community and in our personal lives” Alexander Schindler, guest speaker, 1982 on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the founding of Temple Beth Am	1984	Building committee convenes to assess need for accommodating increased membership
	October 1984	Sukkot Shalom Peace Festival co-sponsored with Temple DeHirsch-Sinai, Congregation Beth Shalom
	April 1986	Sanctuary seder in Hebrew/English/Spanish: Temple Beth Am is part of the sanctuary movement providing support to political refugees from Central America
	1987 - 1988	Project Machar helps congregation look to the future to decide if/what changes need to be made
	1992 - 1993	First building remodel commences and High Holy Day services are held at University Christian Church
	August 1993	Remodeled building is rededicated-procession from temporary location at JCC has 10 past presidents sharing carrying our 3 sifrei torah 460 member families
	August 8 1993	The Bosnian family sponsored by temple arrives in Seattle
	July 1995	Rabbi Norman Hirsh retires after 33 years as Temple Beth Am’s fourth rabbi Rabbi Jonathan Singer installed as 5^th rabbi
	Spring 1996	First Mitzvah Day
	April 1997	Social Action Committee sponsors interfaith Passover seder with guests from several Seattle churches
	October 1997	Rabbi Beth Singer becomes part time associate rabbi at Temple Beth Am
	March 2000	First congregational trip to Israel
	April 2000	Rabbi Jonathan Singer and Pastor John Hunter co-officiate at annual Freedom Seder at First AME Church
	June 2000	684 member families; 500 estimate for fall religious school enrollment; 26 families, about 150 individuals, represent three generations of members at Temple Beth Am.

L’dor v’dor, from generation to generation.

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