The Beth Israel Congregation was founded in Washington (Pa.) by Rabbi Jacob Goldfarb in 1890. The Congregation rented a room in "Mack's Hall" and held services there until 1901 when fire destroyed the building. The congregants then held services in individual homes until enough money was raised to build a synagogue which was completed on June 29, 1902. In 1917, a cemetery was started by the Congregation in South Strabane Township (Pa.) which was maintained by an active "Chevra Kadisha" (Burial society responsible for administering all aspects of caring for the deceased). The Beth Israel Congregation was growing and in September 1955, a new, larger synagogue designed by Pittsburgh architect, Alexander Sharove, was opened. The new synagogue commenced the leadership of Rabbi Jakob Patuchowski, the Congregation's second Rabbi. His successors include Rabbis: Sober, Lowy, Samuals, Matzner, Weinman, and Goldman (as of 1981). The Beth Israel Sisterhood Foundation was active in fundraising for charities including Montefiore Hospital, Jewish House of Shelter, Jewish Home for Babies, and the Jewish Home for Aged. Members of the Congregation also participated in the Free Loan Association and assisted in helping students of Washington and Jefferson College start a Hillel organization.
The materials in the collection consist of meeting minutes, some correspondence, and published items. All records, except published materials, are photocopies of originals. The Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from 1928-1932 are entirely in Yiddish, later minutes, 1962-1981, are in English. Entries for these Minutes include Ritual, Financial, Housing, Beautification, Education, and Cemetery. The Free Loan Association Meeting Minutes report on general business and include lists of loans granted and payments due. Published material includes a history of the Congregation (1956) which includes several photographs and "Guide to Symbols and Decorations of the Beth Israel Synagogue" written by Rabbi Patuchowski (c1950). Other materials include programs for the "80th Anniversary Dinner and Mortgage Burning Ceremony" (1970), a memorial service (1976), and a special service for the 90th anniversary (1980).
The Beth Israel Congregation Records are housed in one archival box and are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
This collection is open for research.
These records came in one accession in 1989.
Acc# 1989.90 Gift of Rabbi Albert Goldman (Records).
The Records of Beth Israel Congregation, 1926-1981, MSS #109, Western Pennsylyania Jewish Archives
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Wawta Techataweewan in April 7, 2000.
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.