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PAGE 12BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMESCHARLES RICHMAN AT THE ALTAR... borough synagogue is 70 years old this weekPENNSYLVANIASATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1974Bristol Jewish Centerm mBy RESELL COOKE Courier Times Staff WriterThe Bristol JewLsh Center might be the only “tailor-made synagogue in Burks CountyBecause that's where it was founded 70 vears ago this week — in the bark room of a tailor shopon Mill StreetMembers of Congregation Ahavath Achim will recall that humble beginning in 1904, and trace its footsteps in ensuing years at 70th anniversary celebrations tomorrow. The Merlon Inn in Cinnaminson will host the 40-odd families who belong to the borough synagogueThough a tailor shop saw its founding, the Bristol Jewish Center has carred on business in two other locations For 50 vears after that first meeting, a residence at 119 Pond St served as house of worship and religious school.In 1949. the congregation purchased the center's current home, then just a plot of ground near the borough municipal building on Pond Street Several years later, the synagogue was built.Rabbi Maxwell Farber led thetemTOyearsmembers in the initial davs at the Bristol Jewish Center Now retired. Rabbi Farber has been replaced bv Rabbi Nahum M Wald-manBristol's synagogue, in recent vears. has maintained its smaUcongregation size Surprisingly, none of the families live in the borough today Most come from Edgely and Levitt own. seeking the personal contact in the uncrowded synagogue.Both the congregation and thetmiple have weathered the year's well Just prior to construction of the new synagogue, a group of disenchanted parishoners decided to form another synagogue in Bristol Through negotiations.however, that movement wasnever carried outVandalismThe congregation met one of its biggest challenges only this past March A group of mischief-seek-ing school children broke into thekitchen, study and altar Even the sacred scrolls were tossed on thefloorChristains and Jews from all over Bucks County called in sympathy and with offers of support after the incident. Gradually, after the shock wore off. the congregation began clean-up operations Meanwhile, police had charged four students, all under seven.with the crime.The congregation feels it hassynagogue and ransacked the grown with the times, as well asmoved with the punches The Bristol Jewish Center was among the first to allow women toopen the ark during Sabhath services. and to accompany their husbands to the Torah during theHigh Holy days.In the fall, the center will see a girl Bas Mitzvah on Saturday instead of the usual Friday evening The synagogue was also among the first nationwide to train girls for the Bas Mitzvah, The anniversary celebrations will be chaired by Mrs Edward Meves. with thew ■' ■ w 11 0 ^help of Mrs Isadore Brosbe. EzraM11 Ac o n/1 LI r rv r ♦ Dnr ♦urcmarks
Newspaper Details
Bucks County Courier Times
Levittown, Pennsylvania, US
Sat, Jun 08, 1974
Page 65
Full Page
Clipped by
Margaret R.
PA, USA 18 Mar 2020
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