IN THE BEGINNING

"In the Beginning G-d created Beth El as a dream in the hearts of men". These words formed the opening sentence of Beth El's Golden Jubilee Proclamation read by President Martin Odlen at Kol Nidre services September 21, 1969 (5730).

Who were the men who had the dream? Certainly Benjamin Natal, Camden's first Jewish lawyer, was not only one of the dreamers but also one of the great organizers and activators who helped turn the dream into reality. In the opinion of many, he might rightfully be called the "Founding Father" of the congregation.

Before Mr. Natal's involvement in the Beth El dream, we can trace his communal activities back to 1912. Under his leadership, a group filed a certificate of incorporation in 1912 for the Young Men's Hebrew Association of Camden. "To promote and embrace the broadest cultural and social efforts and diversion, strongly emphasizing Jewish values, encouraging every ennobling aspiration, improving the intellectual and moral faculties, thereby bettering the Jewish community and maintaining it at its highest standard."

The first meetings of the YMHA were on the second floor of Abe Furhman's furniture store at Broadway and Division Street. Soon after they moved to the Dannenhower Building at the Southwest corner of Broadway and Kaighn.

On May 21, 1917 the YMHA chartered it's first real building at 572 Walnut Street.

While in the Dannenhower Building, services were conducted on the High Holidays. These services were "modern" compared to the Orthodox services held in the existing synagogues. Later these services were held at the Towers Theater. After the YMHA was built on Walnut Street near Sixth Street, services were conducted in the "Y" Auditorium. A cantor was brought in from Philadelphia or New York. Amongst the leaders of these modern services were Harry Nurock, Israel Weitzman, Sig Schoenagle and Abe Fuhrman.

It is not clear to what extent Ben Natal was part of the congregation at the YMHA but in 1915, he sent letters to the Jewish community of Camden with regard to forming, a "modern Orthodox synagogue" to be called Rodeph Sholom. 

1920

On October 3, 1920, a meeting was held in Mr. Natal's law office for the purpose of organizing a new congregation in Camden. The twenty-five men present included Harry Barroway, Dr. Otto Reiter, Reuben Pinsky and Manny Pearl. Each of the latter four contributed fifteen dollars and the dream became real. According to Herman Natal in an interview published in the "Voice" September 1951, others at that meeting were Louis Cades, Kolman Goldstein, Harry Teitelman, Herman Natal, Louis Berkowitz, Morris Handle and A. I. Rovner. Jacob Leventon attended a subsequent meeting. 

1921

The new location for Beth El at Park Boulevard and Belleview Avenue was secured in May of 1921 for the price of eight thousand dollars. Realizing that a large synagogue building would take quite some time to finance and build, the directors decided to first erect a School Building that would also serve as a temporary synagogue. Eventually, when the membership and funds would in­crease, a large synagogue building would then be built. Construction of the school building began in July of 1921 and was completed in time for the High Holy Days of that year, which began on October 3rd. By the time the building was completed, the congregation numbered close to fifty families. 

Before the High Holy Days of 1921, Beth El had elected an "English-speaking Rabbi". Rabbi Solomon Grayzel was a graduate of Columbia University and had just been ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York. The Cantor who officiated with Rabbi Grayzel at those first High Holiday services was Ephraim Fogelnest from New York. 

Rabbi Solomon Grayzel

On November 1, 1921, Beth El was officially incorporated by the state of New Jersey. On the Certificate of Incorporation, dated November 1, 1921, the founders were:

At the invitation of Rabbi Grayzel, the wives of members were invited to a meeting on November 1, 1921, for the purpose of organizing a Sisterhood. Mrs. Benjamin Natal (Minnie) became Sisterhood's first President.

The School Building-Temporary Synagogue, was dedicated on November 13, 1921. It had been put up at a cost of $15,000. Taking part in the dedication service were Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen of Philadelphia's Beth Sholom, Rabbi Max Klein and Judge John B. Kates of the Camden County Common Pleas Court. The Dedication Sermon was given by Rabbi Grayzel who was listed in the program as "minister of the congregation". The service also included a violin solo by Mr. Julius Cades. In the Dedication Service Book there were listed the names of the officers and directors of the congregation, the building committee, the officers of Sisterhood and the Beth EI Junior Auxiliary or Young People's Auxiliary whose president, Harry Berkowitz, was to become a future president of the congregation. It is interesting to note that on the invitation to the dedication of this, Beth El's first school building there was a note on the left-hand comer that read-"no children admitted". A Sunday School and a daily Hebrew School with "English­speaking teachers" were organized in the fall of 1921. Rabbi Grayzel also began teaching Beth El's first confirmation class.

Morris Handle was reelected President of the Congregation.  

1922

The first issue of the Synagogue's news bulletin was published on April 12, 1922. It was called the "Beth-Elite" and consisted of two pages. The bulletin appeared just before Passover and gave the holiday schedule of services. The front page reported a minstrel show having been put on at Beth El by the Camden Young Judeans under the direction of Mr. Harry Grossman. The paper had an optimistic, light note to it. Despite professing that the "leaflet" would print only "what is most important", the second page contained a rather juvenile joke and a recommendation to read a book called "Beggar's Gold" by Ernest Poole.

On the first day of the holiday of Shevuos, June 2, 1922, Beth El held its first confirmation service. The confirmation class consisted of seven young ladies, all approximately sixteen years of age: 

That year Beth El engaged Cantor Jacob Mickleman. He had formerly been Cantor of Congregation Sons of Israel and he was to remain Beth El's Cantor until his retirement in 1941. 

Cantor Jacob Mickleman

The forerunner of the "Beth El Ball" was a Chanukah Ball held in 1922 sponsored by Beth El in conjunction with the Council of Jewish Women. Until 1933, this annual affair was referred to as the Beth El-Council Ball. Commencing with the fourth annual Ball of 1925, an ad book journal was published. Chairmen of the Ball between the years 1925 and 1949 were some of Camden's leading Jewish per­sonalities: Philip Auerbach, Herman Odlen, Israel Katz, Meyer Sakin, Ben Natal, Albert Melnik, Norman Heine, E. George Aaron, Robert Brest, S. Mortimer Hirshorn, Louis L. Goldman and Irving Levinsky. These gala annual affairs were usually held either at Beth El or the Walt Whitman Hotel. Sometime after 1949, the Beth El Ball took on added meaning by highlighting the members of the Confirmation Class who were formally presented in a cotillion during the course of the evening. 

Succeeding Morris Handle as president was Louis Berkowitz. Mrs. Philip Auerbach (Rose) became the second President of Sisterhood. 

Louis Berkowitz
President, 1922-1925  

1923-1924

Louis Berkowitz was reelected President of the Congregation. Mrs. Louis Paletz became Sisterhood's third president.

By 1924, sixty children were enrolled in the daily religious school. An additional one hundred and fifty attended the Sunday School. A building fund drive for a main synagogue building was initiated. On the twenty-second of June, the cornerstone of the new synagogue was laid. At the cornerstone laying ceremony guest speakers included Rabbi Max Arzt of Scranton, Pa. and Dr. Julius H. Greenstone.  

Beth El's new synagogue building was to cost $75,000. It was to be a two-story building, 60 x 60 feet. The new synagogue was completed in time for the high holidays of 1924. Camden's newspapers described it as the prettiest and largest synagogue in South Jersey. The building contained 500 seats in the main sanctuary plus 100 more seats in the balcony.

Dedication of the new synagogue took place on December 14, 1924. Participating in the ceremonies were Mayor Victor King of Camden, Dr. A. A. Neuman of Philadelphia's Adath Jeshurun, Judge William M. Lewis of Philadelphia and Rabbi Samuel Freedman of Beth EI in Philadelphia. Rabbi Grayzel and Cantor Mickleman officiated at the service. The Cantor was accompanied by a choir under the direction of Gedalia Rabinowitz.

By the fall of 1924, Beth El's membership numbered more than two hundred families. The Rabbi's salary was $4,624. The Cantor received the annual wage of $1500. The janitor's salary was $900. By 1926 the Cantor still received $1500 but the janitor had been increased to $1128. Beth El's telephone bill for the year 1923-24 was $48.14.

In 1924 Louis Berkowitz and Mrs. Paletz were reelected to their respective offices in the congregation and sisterhood. Isadore "Pete" Herman became president of the Junior-Young People's Auxiliary.

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NEW SYNAGOGUE $75,000 BUILDING Park Boulevard Structure Prettiest of Type In South Jersey The new Beth El Synagogue, which will be dedicated tomorrow, was built at a cost of $75,000. It is at Park Boulevard and Belleview Avenue and was completed last September. The synagogue is the prettiest and largest in South Jersey. It measures 60 by 60 feet and is two stories high. Construction started in May. The cornerstone was laid In June. The exterior of the structure is of red tapestry brick set on a limestone base and trimmed with terra cotta. Corners of the new building are rounded. The first floor is used as an auditorium for social functions. On the second floor is the synagogue proper, for religious services exclusively. The new synagogue connects with an annex to the school building, formerly synagogue, but now used as a religious school exclusively. The interior of the new building is finished in trevatine, an imitation stone. The roof is supported by four columns, which also support an inverted dome. The lighting of the church is mostly indirect, coming from the dome. The dome has a circle of art glass, in the center of which is the Star of David. Reflection of the sun or the lighting at night gives the Star its beautiful appearance and otherwise improves the illumination. The synagogue has a seating capacity of 500, and accommodations for more than 100 in the balcony. The Ark has been built near the pulpit, located between the new synagogue and the annex. The choir loft is over the Ark. The Building Committee was composed as follows: Louis Cades, chairman: Henry L. Barroway, Israel E. Fridich, Abe Fuhrman, Morris Handle, Morris Hess, Hyman Hoffman, Benjamin Natal, Harry Nurock, Herman Odlen, Reuben Pinsky, Abraham I. Rovner, Harry H. Teitelman, Philip Wenkos. Benjamin Natal was general chairman of the Building Fund Committee, and Abe Fuhrman, chairman of the Finance Committee. Herbert Norris Moffett was the architect. Solomon Grayzel is the rabbi.

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View of Bima View of entrance and balcony

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1925

The pattern for Beth Ers eventual dues structure was proposed in the "Beth Elite" of May, 1925. An article mentioned "how dreadful it was for the Rabbi to have had to make an appeal for funds on Rosh Hashonoh", A plan was described whereby a "lump-sum" payment would include membership dues and two seats for the High Holidays as well as tuition. Whether this plan was adopted at that time is not known.

The Beth El Ball Ad Book of 1925 brought in "much needed revenue", These yearly journals also provide us with some record of the congregation's activities and carry the tenor of the times as well. In the 1925 ad book there appeared a half page ad from a fuel oil burner company with the message, "Whose hands will shovel your coal next winter?" In the 1926 book, an ad read, "Park your car at the Ferries, Penna, and Reading,"

Benjamin Natal succeeded Louis Berkowitz as president of the congregation. Mrs. Louis Paletz was reelected as sisterhood's president.

Benjamin Natal
President, 1925-1927

Members of the Confirmation Class of 1925 were:

Freda Goodman	Constance Obus	Sylvan Grass
Harry Levinsky	Ida Lindenberg	Rose Samson
Walter H. Frisch		Herbert Obus

 

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1926

Rabbi Grayzel was apparently disillusioned with the "profit­motive" as the impetus for the Beth El Ball and Journal. In his message for the Journal of 1926, he wrote, "It is a result of the deplorable fact that our synagogues are poorly supported .... shall we not look forward to the time when such gatherings will be called out of motives not of profit, but of a pure desire for joy and festivity."

After seeing Beth El through its incubator period from the Fall of 1921 until June of 1926, Rabbi Solomon Grayzel left Beth El and the rabbinate. During those five very crucial years, Rabbi Grayzel endeared himself forever to Beth El and the entire community. His inspiring leadership molded the character of the synagogue and greatly influenced its future course as a leading conservative synagogue and great community influence.

Upon leaving Beth El, Rabbi Grayzel went to Europe to continue his studies. He later received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Philadelphia's Dropsie College. From 1929 to 1940, he taught history at Gratz College. In 1933, he published a book called, "The Church and The Jews in the Thirteenth Century". In 1962 he became secretary of the American­Jewish Historical Society. He was to become one of the great Jewish historians of our times, attaining the post of editor of the Jewish Publication Society in 1939. He published his classic "History of the Jews" in 1947. It has become a universally acclaimed text book. He continues to serve on the faculty of Dropsie University.

Although Rabbi Grayzel left Beth El in 1926, he was to come back from time to time to take part in official occasions and to lend his presence to every important milestone in the congregation's path forward, a path which he so lovingly and expertly pioneered. In an in­terview published in the Exponent (1959), he said, "It was Beth El in Camden that really made a mentsch out of me. I had to wear a moustache so that they could distinguish me from the children. Imagine the shyest person in the world. I was it. But they treated me like an oracle. They agreed with me. They listened. They gave me confidence. Can you imagine what that meant to a withdrawn religious intellectual like me? I was eternally grateful" .

Rabbi Grayzel was tendered a farewell dinner on October 3, 1926. 

Dr. Cyrus Adler, President of the Jewish Theological Seminary was guest speaker. By then Beth El's new rabbi was Arthur H. Neulander who served the congregation for one year.

Ben Natal was reelected to a second term as president of the congregation. Mrs. Herman Odlen (Clara) became Sisterhood's fourth president.

Sometime in 1926, the first woman ever to speak from Beth El's pulput was a young Zionist named Goldie Myerson. She had come to Camden to speak about "Palestine". It would be interesting to know if Israel's Prime Minister, Golda Meier, recalls her experience at Beth El in 1926.

1927

Rabbi Neulander left Beth El in 1927. He recently retired as Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Bayswater in New York. He is one of the Conservative Rabbinate's leading authorities on Jewish law. He was succeeded at Beth El by Rabbi Nachman S. Arnoff. Rabbi Arnoff, Beth El's "bachelor Rabbi", was also a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He had spent eight months living and studying in Jerusalem before coming to Camden. 

Rabbi Nachman S. Arnoff

Mr. Louis Cades became Beth El's fourth president, and Mrs. Mark Obus (Anna) became president of Sisterhood.

LOUIS CADES
President 1927-1928 

1928

In 1928 the Synagogue's bulletin, The Beth-Elite acquired its current title, The Beth El News. A new publication appeared on the Jewish scene in Camden called "The Community Observer." The first issue appeared in May of 1928. Rabbi Arnoff was listed as Editor; Ben Cohen-Co Editor, Reba Obus and Lillian Grass-News Editors; Carl Auerbach-Business Manager, and Leon Mickleman-Circulation Manager. 

FEDERATION GOAL $30,000.00 The annual Drive of the Federation of Jewish Charities for Camden will commence Monday, June 4th. Teams are being organized and a thorough campaign will be conducted throughout the entire city. Judge Bernard Bertman, Chairman of the drive, is confident that the goal or $30,000.00 will be reached before the conclusion of the campaign. "Y" LOSES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Once more the Y. M. & Y. W. H. A. is to be without an Executive Director. Mr. Harry Greenberg, who has served in that capacity for the last two years, tendered his resignation to the Board at the last meeting, Monday evening, April 30th, the resignation, however will not to take effect until after the presentation of the Y's musical comedy, "Captain Crossbones." Before leaving, Mr. Greenberg is also taking charge of a quiet, but active, membership dues drive. Y. M. & Y. W. H. A. REHEARSE "CAPTAIN CROSSBONES" Rehearsals are well under way for the annual elaborate production given by the "Y." This year it is to be an unusually lavish musical comedy named "Captain Crossbones," professional in type, and with its present capable cast expected to be professional in execution. No date has been set, hut it is understood that the performances will be for two evenings and matinees the end of this month at the Temple Theatre. Those taking principal part are: Al Traiman, Jean Schwartzenberg, Anna Epstein, Goldie Lynn, Sylvia Ruttenberg, Jacob Naden, Michael Ostroff, Robert Naden and David Levin. Besides those named, there will be a chorus of about sixty boys and girls. JUNIOR LEAGUE DANCE The Junior League is giving a Concert and Dance at the Beth El Synagogue on Sunday, May 20th. The program includes an eminent pianist and a banjo artist. Admission to the affair is limited to friends of the members, to whom invitations have been sent. MENS CLUB ORGANIZERS On Wednesday evening, May 9th, a preliminary meeting was held at the home of Aaron Heine, 1675 Park Boulevard, to discuss the organization of a Men's Club. The purpose of this Club is to solidify the cultural and, but here, our shorthand being rather weak, we were forced to stop. Anyway it's to be somewhat literary and rather intellectual and Mr. Heine, who is one of the men active in the Club's formation, will be glad to explain in detail just why you will want to belong to this group. The Club will be open to all men living in Camden or it's suburbs.  COMMUNITY SUFFERS SAD LOSSES During the past two weeks three deaths occurred in our midst. Mrs. Lewis M. Nelson, of 1614 Bradley Avenue, died unexpectedly on March 6th, 1928. The funeral service took place from her home and she was interred in the Beth El Cemetery. She was actively affiliated with many organizations, serving as temporary vice-president of the Council of Jewish Women. She was a member of the board of Directors of the Beth El Sisterhood and of the Hadassah. *** Mr. William Eisenberg, of Collingswood, passed away at his home on May 11, 1928 as the result of a heart attack. He came to this country from Russia as a young man, shortly after his marriage. Displeased with conditions of the Jews in the larger cities, he settled in the small Jewish colony of Woodbine, N. J. An engineer by profession, he built most of the homes in the town, and later extended his activities among other lines, especially road building, developing a large road-building concern with which he and his sons were interested. He was mayor of the town of Woodbine and was one of its outstanding citizens. He took up his residence in Collingswood about three years ago and became actively identified with the life of the Camden Jewish Community. A short time ago he lost his wife, whose death was partly responsible for his sudden passing. The funeral services were held at his home and from there he was taken for burial to Woodbine. The entire community of Woodbine suspended business for the day and hundreds escorted the body to its final resting place. *** Mr. Edward Seesholtz died on May 13, 1928. Mr. Seesholtz was long identified with the Jewish community of Camden, also actively participating in Masonic activities. A host of friends mourn his passing. BETH EL EMERGENCY FUND A few weeks ago, at a meeting of the Board, the Directors of the Beth El Synagogue  were confronted with the fact that the synagogue faced a deficit of $9000.00. Within a few minutes the sum of $7100 was raised among members of the  Board. Since then, an additional sum of $1400 was raised, bringing the total up to date $8500. SENIOR HADASSAH NEWS Under the able chairmanship of Mrs. Max Peck, plans for the Hadassah Linen Shower are progressing rapidly. This is an annual affair, that has always proved successful. This year the Linen Shower will be held on Tuesday evening, June 5th, at 8:00 P. M. at the Beth El auditorium. A very entertaining program has been arranged by the Committee in charge and it is hoped that a large audience will attend the function. The affairs of the Hadassah are always pleasurable. The last meeting, which Mrs. Archibald Silverman addressed, at the Talmud Torah, was particularly interesting. SISTERHOOD CLOSES SEASON WITH LUNCHEON The activities of the Sisterhood for the season will be concluded with a luncheon to be given at the Synagogue Auditorium on June 6th at 1 o'clock. Mrs. Herman Odlen is in charge of the activities. At the Conclusion of the luncheon the officers for the coming year will be installed. An interesting program has been prepared under the supervision of Mrs. Carrie Polsky. An invitation ahs been extended to Rabbi Solomon Grayzel, former Rabbi of the Beth El Congregation, to be the principal speaker at the luncheon.

There is evidence pointing to High Holiday services for children being held in the Beth Hamedresh­Chapel of Beth El. The Community Observer contained an item in its first issue telling that young Bobby Galanter had a perfect prayer in Hebrew School for the month of April.

Despite the pending national economic crisis Beth El's members contributed generously towards their synagogue. At a Board of Directors meeting, when it was revealed that the Synagogue was in the throes of a financial crisis due to a nine thousand dollar deficit, within a matter of minutes seven thousand dollars was raised amongst the Board MeIJ1bers. 

In November of 1928, Rabbi Arnoff gave a sermon at a Friday Night Service called, "Can Peace Be Maintained With a Big Stick- a criticism of President Coolidge's Armistice Address." The members of the Mizpah Lodge were scheduled to attend the service "as a body". Mizpah Lodge to this day includes many of Beth El's outstanding members. 

In November of that year Jacob Leventon became President of the Congregation. The installation was accompanied by a banquet at which Dr. Grayzel and a Doctor Benjamin H. Bernbaum, Rabbi of Boston's Adath Jeshurun Synagogue were the guest speakers. Mrs. Obus continued on as Sisterhood President.

Jacob Leventon
President, 1928-1932

1929

Because of economic conditions, the Beth El News was mimeographed instead of printed. The practice of reading the names of the "Yahrzeits" at Friday night service began in 1929. In the Beth El News of May 1929, there is a note about plans for a summer school in which Hebrew would be taught three times a week in addition to a recreational program in nearby parks. In the Community Observer of November 1, 1929, there is mention of a High School Department being started at Beth El, "mainly for the boys and girls who have been confirmed at Beth El".

Jacob Leventon was reelected to the presidency of the Congregation, as Mrs. Obus continued to serve as Sisterhood president.

Congregation Beth Israel was organized in East Camden.

The Twenties come to an End 

Sisterhood's early activities already showed great evidence of the dominant role they would play in Beth El's history. Fund raising, gifts to the children at holiday times, putting on plays, equipping the kitchen, decorating the Sukkah and the synagogue, serving "a tea" following the Friday night service, presenting scholarships to the religious school, supporting the Jewish Theological Seminary (Sisterhood joined the Women's League of the United Synagogue at their third meeting in 1921) were but some of their activities in that first decade. Sisterhood's first annual indoor Bazaar started in 1929 and was to continue for many years.

It was in Beth El's first decade that organizations and activities of great variety began. Boy Scout Troop 18 was organized- the Shalesh Sudos- the Beth El Book Club- a Junior Hadassah. The synagogue became the center of every important Jewish activity and fund-raising project. The Hebrew Free Loan Society, a Federation drive, a Zionist Organization, a Hebrew Ladies Charity which was in charge of needy cases and lodging and board for the stranger, Council of Jewish Women, a Junior League, B'Nai Brith, AZA. All these were interwoven with Beth El and drew their leadership from South Jersey's most rapidly growing synagogue.

The decade ended on a sad note for World Jewry when the horror of the Arab pogroms in Palestine became known. Under the chairmanship of one of Beth El's most esteemed leaders, Attorney Leon H. Rose, an emergency committee raised four thousand dollars to send to Palestine.

Again Mr. Leventon and Mrs. Obus were chosen to retain their presidential offices as the decade of the thirties began.

The members of the Confirmation Class of 1929 were:

Miriam Bass	Florence Feinstein	Edna Rosenberg
Pearl Cornfeld		Sylvia Katz

1930

Stephen S. Wise visited Camden and delivered a "stirring eulogy" of American's wartime president, Woodrow Wilson .... The Community Observer mentioned a reorganization of Camden's Federation of Jewish Charities, Beth Elite, Abraham Furman was elected president .... Sisterhood's Bazaar raised over $1,000 in two nights Tillie Evantash and Abraham Cutler had parts in the Beth EI School's Chanukah program .... Meyer Sakin was chairman of the Beth El Ball .... Sisterhood began sponsoring a Saturday afternoon Story Hour for the children. 

Jacob Leventon was re-elected to a third term as president of Beth El. Mrs. I.S. Siris (Anne) became Sisterhood president. 

Members of the Confirmation class of 1930 were:     

Ruth Barroway	Sidney Kantor	Robert Kaplan
Miriam Morris	Leona Pinsky	Edward Gallob

1931

Although Beth El had been organized in 1920, the tenth an­niversary was celebrated by Sisterhood at a special meeting on December 7,1931. The meeting was held in conjunction with Hadassah and Council of Jewish Women. Guest speaker was Dr. Israel H. Leventhal of New York's Brooklyn Jewish Center. He was the son of Philadelphia's "Chief Rabbi", Bernard Leventhal, one of American Jewry's renown Orthodox leaders. The "tenth" anniversary was also commemorated at the Friday night services on December 11. Rabbi Grayzel was the guest speaker. The anniversary festivities were climaxed at a banquet on December 13.

Mr. Leventon and Mrs. Siris were re-elected to office. 

The Confirmation Class of 1931 consisted of: 

Ruth Kaplan	Sylvia Friedenberg	Harry Cutler
Robert Katz	Pearl Bloch	Abraham Goodman
	Irwin Seigle

1932

In 1932 a group known as the Beth El League scheduled eight meetings. Harry Pinsky is listed in their literature as "announcer." This affiliate was apparently the suc­cessor to the Junior Auxiliary of the 1920's, an organization of young adults, forerunner of the "Associated Membership" of the 1940's and the Young Associates of the 1960's. One of Beth El's most prominent families, the Asbells, Isadore and Sara) achieved community-wide publicity when President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a letter to their son Joseph, on the day after elections in 1932. The President of the United States thanked little Joe for helping him get elected. Seven year old Joe had sent a letter to F.D.R. informing him of how he had worked for him during the campaign. An article in the Yiddish Press mentioned that Joe weighed 86 pounds and was a student of the Bible and Hebrew. F.D.R.'s "campaign assistant" was to become a prominent Camden' attorney. Camden Council of Jewish Juniors was organized and elected Norman Heine as first president .... The children of the religious school entertained the adults during Chanukah; the admission charge was thirty-five cents .... Cantor Mickleman and the choir sang at the Chanukah installation .... Rabbi Simon Greenberg addressed the Beth El League in November.  The depression was keenly felt by Camden's Jewish community, but nevertheless, in the fall of 1932, Beth El began a city-wide campaign for

new members. In an article written by William Lachman, the "young" were asked "not to use the word depression which is a hated word but rather 'expression' which represents action not reaction."  Henry L. Barroway became Beth El's sixth President. Mrs. L. C. Abramson (Fannie) became Sisterhood's seventh President. Jacob Leventon was given the title of Honorary President for life.

Henry L. Barroway, Esq.
President, 1933-1934

1933

Despite economic conditions, Kol Nidre appeals were still conducted. Contributions of three dollars were greatly appreciated. There existed in Camden at that time, a Jewish Welfare Society that set a $3,500 goal in 1933.

Ben Natal, writing in the Beth El Ball Journal that year, said "in these days of depression an evening spent in merriment and diversion will relieve us of that morbid feeling and bring back hope for a bright future."

In October of that year, five adult education courses were offered. A Forum Series was presented featuring Maurice Samuel, Professor Mordecai Kaplan, Reverend John Haynes Holmes, and Professor Harry Overstreet. The Forum was officially called "The Program Committee." It was a joint effort with Hadassah and Council of Jewish Women. Rabbi Arnoff also gave a series of Sunday morning lectures.

Joseph S. Kaplan became President of. the Beth El League. Mr. Barroway and Mrs. Abramson continued as Presidents of Congregation and Sisterhood. Norman Heine again became President of the Council of Jewish Juniors.  

FROM THE REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK If you cannot find Mr. Benjamin Natal al his office, try the Synagogue. You are sure to find him there. If you happen to see some evening Mr. Pearl without Mr. Leventon or Mr. Leventon without Mr. Pearl, you may be sure that there is something wrong. The two have again renewed their partnership to boost the Synagogue. Rabbi Arnoff has never received as many "she'cluth Shailos" from the members of his congregation as he has during the past week, since he has been appointed a member of the Arbitration Committee of the NRA ... Mr. Jesse Satenstein would never think of going home from his office without slopping in at the Synagogue to see whether all is well there. Until recently Mr. Israel Katz used to fun frequently to the Deborah Sanatorium in Browns Mills. Now, we understand, he runs it. Those who have been attending services regularly every morning for the past few weeks will be glad to know that Mr. Berman is going to blow the shofar this Rosh Hashanah in Chester, Pa. Miss Plotnick checks her watch by Mr. Barroway's morning visits, which are made regularly at the Synagogue at 10 o'clock. Dr. Lashman has recently been making regular calls to the Synagogue trying to help cure the various ills of the congregation. Mrs. Mark Obus may have resigned from her office in the Sisterhood, but it is quite obvious that she hasn't resigned from the work of the Sisterhood. From the numerous meetings that Mrs. Benjamin Natal has been attending, it is hard to tell who has the Synagogue more at heart, Mrs. Natal or her husband .. The Sisterhood ought to provide Mrs. L. C. Abramson with a special telephone to make her daily calls to the various active members of the Sisterhood. A meeting of the Board without the wit and humor of Mr. Elias Klein would be like a dance without music or a seder without wine. Our Vice·President, Mr. Jesse Salenstein. not only gives his services during the year, but once a year before Rosh Hashanah is also kind enough to offer the services of his establishment to print for us the New Year number of the BETH EL NEWS.  SISTERHOOD'S PROGRAM The Beth El Sisterhood expects to be a mighty busy organization during the coming year. The program committee has planned such a large number of varied activities that merely to catalogue all of them would mean quite a formidable list. Every lady of the organization should find much to interest her. Under the chairmanship of Mrs. Max Lewis an intensive membership drive will take place from September 12th to October 5th. Some of the other planned events are a paid·up membership luncheon with fine music and speakers, current events classes, a Mothers' and Daughter's Night, book review lectures, annual bazaar, kitchen shower, donors luncheon, illustrated lectures on music. In addition to these features the Sisterhood will sponsor special Sisterhood Sabbaths, provide festival celebrations, special children's services and will assist with the Hanukkah dinner and the annual ball. Besides all these the Sisterhood plans to carry out its regular work of helping in all congregational activities and aiding the school. NEW MEMBERS The following men of this community have recently joined Beth El Synagogue. The Congregation extends to them a hearty welcome and hopes they will identify themselves intimately with the work of the Synagogue and further its aims. David M. Glassman, 1152 Lansdowne Avenue Eugene Udell, 849 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood Frank M. Laveson, 1538 Wildwood Avenue Dr. Charles Kutner, 1005 S. 5th Street. David Goodman, 1145 Magnolia Avenue Nathan U. Katz, 1531 Wildwood Avenue I. Waronker, 308 Rand Street Albert Becker, 1252 Empire Avenue Ellis Goodman, 515 Market Street A. L. Goodman, 1419 Ormond Avenue J. B. Filderman, 1470 Kaighn Avenue CONDOLENCES The heartfelt sympathy of the congregation is extended to Mr. Benjamin Barsky in his present bereavement. Our sympathy is also extended to Mr. Abraham Lewis, 1117 Langham Avenue, whose sainted father recently passed away in .Madison, Wisconsin. SOCIAL NOTES We extend a hearty mazeltov to our Vice·President, Mr. Jesse Satenstien, who recently  announced the marriage of his daughter, Sylvia, to Mr. Nikolai Arbitblatas, of Paris. The wedding took place in Paris on July 13th. Mrs. Arbitblatas is now in this country and will remain here until after the holidays, but will sail back to Paris where she and her husband plan to hold a joint exhibition of their paintings. After a brief sojuurn in Paris, the couple plan to return and make this country their permanent home. Our mazeltov is also extended to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sheppard on the marriage of their daughter, Belle, to Dr. Joseph Bernstein, of Philadelphia. The marriage look place at the Synagogue on Sunday afternoon, August 30th, Rabbi Arnoff and Mr. Mickelman officiating. The couple will make their home in Rochester, N. Y. Our congratulations are extended to Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Lichtenstein, who have announced the betrothal of their daughter, Harriet, to Michael Ostroff, Esq., of this city. Congratulations are due Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Rabkin, who became the happy parents of another son born on September 7th. A girl was born to Dr. and Mrs. Gelb (nee Bella Goldstein), of Bridgeton, on September 6th. We extend our congratulations to the happy grandparents. The Bar Mitzvah of Norton Goodman, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Goodman, was celebrated at the Synagogue last Saturday, September 16th. Norton is a student of the Beth El Hebrew School and will continue his studies after his Bar Mitzvah. Walter Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Becker, will become Bar Mitzvah at the Synagogue on Shabbos Shubah, September 23rd. Walter is also a student of the Beth El School and will continue his studies. Dr. William M. Lashman announces the removal of his office and residence from 1404 Baird Avenue to 1401 Baird Avenue. Our best wishes are extended to the Doctor in his new home. Rabbi Arnoff will speak over Station WCAM on Monday afternoon, October 2nd, at 2:30 o'clock, in connection with the Mayor's program on safety. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Odlen and family have recently returned from all extended trip to Chicago and Louisville, Ky. Miss Reba N. Obus has recently returned from an extended cruise on the Mauretania to South America and the West Indies. Mrs. Israel Katz and her son Robert have just returned from Chicago. where they spent the latter part of the summer visiting their relatives and the World's Fair. Among those who also visited the Fair were Mr. and Mrs. Jacob L. Furer and son John, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Faerber and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Leventon, Mr. Roswell Natal, and Misses Fannie and Miriam Plotnick. Mrs. Aaron Heine and Mrs. Lewis Liberman, who have left for the White Mountains a few weeks ago, will return for the holidays. Mrs. William Laub and Mrs. William Rudolph have recently visited with the Rabbi the Lakeland Sanatorium and extended New Year's cheer to the patients. Dr. Alexander Ellis has returned from a recent cruise to South America. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Franklin and sons, Ira and David, have recently returned from a trip to the Niagara Falls and Canada. Mr. Leon H. Rose is back in the city after an extended absence, having visited Palestine, Italy, Switzerland and France.

1934

December 16th, 1934 marked the annual dinner and installation of officers. At the affair the program featured the Beth EI Choir consisting of Mrs. Maurice Russell (Sadie), Joseph Becker, Samuel Gordon, and Harry Silver under the direction of Cantor Mickleman. We also find reference to a Zionist youth group called "Gordoniah" led by their President, Ben Zion Steinberg. Israel Katz became Beth El's new President. Mrs. Morris (Esther Quint) Rabkin was elected Sisterhood President. Morris Albert succeeded Norman Heine as Council of Jewish Juniors President.

Israel Katz
President, 1934-1935

1935

Sometime before the Spring of 1935 Rabbi Amoff left Beth El. His future was unfortunately short lived. He became a Chaplain in the United States Army during World War II and was killed in an army truck accident following his discharge at Fort Kilmer. A memorial service was held for him at Beth El on September 22, 1946.

Beth El's search for a new rabbi ended when Rabbi Philip Lipis spoke at the synagogue on Friday night, March 22, 1935. He was officially elected to the pulpit in April. In his letter of acceptance, he wrote, "I pray that my election as rabbi of Beth El in this Passover season of freedom may bring to Beth EI freedom from inertia and a rebirth of activity and service, Jewish and human."

Rabbi Philip L. Lipis

Rabbi Lipis had been ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1930 and had been rabbi of Emmanuel Congregation in Oak Lane, Philadelphia. During his first five years at Beth El he was to greatly revitalize the Forum Series, organize a Men's Club, the Alumni, the Tephillin Club, a Junior Congregation, the Special Fund, a Hebrew High School Class (1938), and the Institute of Jewish Studies.

Jesse Satenstein became president of the congregation. Mrs. Ben Natal (Minnie) again took Sisterhood's highest office. Carl Auerbach became president of the Council of Jewish Juniors. 

Jesse Satenstein
President, 1935-1937

The Confirmation class of 1935 included:

1936

The Beth El Journal contained a special tribute to the memory of Philip Auerbach, "sincere, earnest, indefatigable"" chairman of the Beth El Ball Committee since its inception.

Mr. Jesse Satenstein and Mrs. Ben Natal were re-elected to head the congregation and sisterhood.

1936 Congregation dinner- note