Temple Beth El - Bradford, Pennsylvania

This is the first in a series of posts I plan to write regarding the subject of synagogue downsizing, the closing of many synagogues and the increase in synagogue mergers taking place. The economy, demographic changes, shifting populations and, in many cases, an aging congregational membership base, all have led to changes in the American synagogue landscape in the past few years. While these phenomena are certainly not new within the American Jewish Community, it is my opinion that the frequency of these changes is increasing steadily. One example out of several that I will be talking about is Temple Beth El located in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Bradford is a small city in rural northern Pennsylvania, about 78 miles south of Buffalo. The area was once a large manufacturing and oil producing area. Established in 1958 through the merger of Temple Beth Zion and Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Beth El ultimately traces its beginnings to 1879 when the Bradford Hebrew Congregation was established as the first Jewish congregation in the city. A new Mid-Century Modern style synagogue for Temple Beth El was dedicated in 1961. It featured simple, modern lines, but had a very unique stylized menorah sculpture on the exterior wall with small colored windows to simulate candles on the menorah. The congregation peaked in the 1960's, and by the 1980's the Jewish population had begun to decline in Bradford. In 2000 the congregation made plans to become a lay-led congregation and find smaller, more suitable quarters. In 2006, Temple Beth El moved to a remodeled former church building on Clarence Street in Bradford. Temple Beth El continues to serve five counties, providing a place for Jewish worship and cultural activities . Despite its reduced size, Temple Beth El took the steps to adapt and change in order to remain a viable Jewish institution in a decidedly non-Jewish area of Pennsylvania. For a more detailed history and an image of their current temple, please visit Temple Beth El's website: http://pa002.urj.net/

Photo from temple archives, Courtesy of Todd Halpern

Photo by Linda Perlman 2004, Courtesy of Todd Halpern

Image from Temple Beth El website

Historic Synagogues of Philadelphia & The Delaware Valley

I posted a short photograph slideshow video to YouTube with a selection of images from my book, "Historic Synagogues of Philadelphia & The Delaware Valley" published by The History Press. The book features present-day and vintage images of current and former synagogues with detailed photo captions. The book covers Philadelphia, the suburbs and also Delaware and much of Southern New Jersey. I look forward to your comments and feedback. http://www.youtube.com/user/mimofan63

American Synagogues Slideshow

I created a short slideshow of 59 assorted images taken from my cd-rom, American Synagogues: A Photographic Journey. The slideshow provides a nice sampling of the over 1400 synagogues featured on the cd-rom. You can also view it in full screen. If you would like to find out more about this cd-rom, order a copy of the cd-rom or learn of my plans for the second edition (expanded & revised) please visit my website: http://www.americansynagoguearchitecture.com/. I will be starting the process of acquiring photographs for the second edition, so if you would like to take some photos of synagogues in your town or city, or if you are a member of a synagogue and would like to have images of your congregation in the book, please e-mail me at jhp1963@yahoo.com - As always I welcome your comments.

"Jewish West Virginia" my new book from Arcadia Publishing

For those of you interested in American Jewish history, local Jewish history and West Virginia history I am pleased to announce that my new book, "Jewish West Virginia" has been published by Arcadia Publishing and is now available for purchase. This book features 200 vintage and current photographs and images that help to tell the story of Jewish life and history in the "Mountain State" of West Virginia. Synagogues, old Jewish businesses, Jewish family photos and views of other Jewish related sites in the state are included along with detailed photo captions. This is the first book of its kind to touch on Jewish history in West Virginia from a popular culture viewpoint. Most of the images in the book have not been published before. Books are available from Arcadia and signed copies are available directly from me. Contact me at jhp1963@yahoo.com. I will be working on another such book of images and history of West Virgina's Jews and Jewish Communities and welcome hearing from those of you who may have an interest in the topic and also who may have vintage photographs that could possibly be included in a future publication.