Beth Jacob at 40: Snapshots from Our Past,
Values that Light Our Way
מהימים ההם לזמן הזה
Me-hayamin hahem laz’man hazeh
“From those days to these times”
As we celebrate Beth Jacob’s 40 th anniversary, we’ve assembled a series of stories from our
shul’s early years, stories that highlight values to which we aspired in our early days, and that
continue to illuminate our journey together.
The values below, drawn from Beth Jacob values statements of the past forty years, have been,
and remain, our guiding principles. Each story in the series, contributed by early members,
embodies at least one of these values:
A traditional, egalitarian congregation, dedicated to
torah (study), avodah (reverential service)
gemilut hasadim (acts of loving-kindness)
A welcoming, accessible congregation,
of unpretentious modesty,
nourished by appreciation of one another,
devoted to our youth,
intergenerational in our relationships,
engaged with and committed to the wellbeing of the Jewish people, near and far.
Whether you joined Beth Jacob in its first few years or the past few months, or are simply a
visitor to this site, we hope these stories strike a chord. Enjoy!
מהימים ההם לזמן הזה
Me-hayamin hahem laz’man hazeh
“From those days to these times”
Beginning this week, and leading up to Beth Jacob’s 40th anniversary celebration, you’ll find here a weekly link to a story or two from our early years, a memory from our founders about a value we have affirmed.
One way to understand the history of our congregation is through memories of how these values have been expres sed along the way; moments that touch the heart, inspire, and provide common ground.
We begin with a powerful story from Rabbi Morris Allen, our founding rabbi and Rabbi Emeritus, about Sarah Witkin (zl) and our core identity as a traditional, egalitarian congregation.
Week 2: The cornerstone at the front entry to our synagogue reminds us that Beth Jacob Congregation is dedicated to Torah, Avodah, and G’milut Hasadim. The next three pieces in this series are related to these three foundational aspects of Beth Jacob’s story. We begin with Sara Lynn Newberger’s reflection on Torah – its centrality and impact on our communal life, and a lesson from a Christian farmer from Western Minnesota.
Week 3: This week our look back to Beth Jacob’s early years and guiding values centers on founding member Henry Oertelt’s enduring legacy. In his youth Henry trained as a cabinet maker, and as a baal t’filah (leader of services). The skills he acquired would prove a gift to the congregation, both material and spiritual. Our value concept for the week is avodah.
Week 4: If you walk into the Beth Jacob kitchen you will see on the far wall, just to the right of the sinks, a Sears Coldspot upright freezer. Here is the story of how it came to be there. This story is shared by Sue Savett, the first chair of Beth Jacob’s Hesed Committee. The value for this week is Gemilut Hasadim, acts of lovingkindness.
Week 5: This week Leonard Oppenheimer describes some of the work Beth Jacob has done to spread acts of loving kindness (gemilut hasadim) beyond our congregation.
Week 6: This week in ouranecdotal series Earl Schwartz sharesan early story that reflects Beth Jacob’s founding commitment to unpretentious modesty.
Week 7: This week Phyllis Gorin recalls Sam Saide z”l, a powerful presence in the life of Beth Jacob in its early years. Her anecdote beautifully illustrates our congregation’s value of being nourished by appreciation for one another.
Week 8: This week Lydia Schultz reflects on Beth Jacob’s founding commitment to being intergenerational in our relationships, with an anecdote about Lydia and Leonard’s son and Beyla Ginzberg z”l.
Week 9: Intergenerational? Was that even a question? This week Nina Samuels reflects on some of the blessings brought by a merger of an older congregation with new, younger households. And oh, those candy ladies (and men)!
Week 10: This week Josh Rolnitzky shares memories of learning, teaching, growing into leadership roles, developing lifelong friendships, and some fun on the bimah—all in illustration of Beth Jacob’s value of devotion to our youth.
Week 11: This week David Rischall reflects on the role of his beloved parents, in particular his mother Ruth Rischall z”l, who modeled Beth Jacob’s foundational engagement with and commitment to the wellbeing of the Jewish people, near and far.
Week 12: This week we conclude our series of “Beth Jacob 40th anniversary snapshots” with reflections by Beth Jacob’s founding president Dr. Larry Savett on the “welcoming and accessible” roots of the congregation, along with closing observations from Rabbi Morris Allen, our first congregational rabbi and Rabbi Emeritus.