December 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 205 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL ON ITS 170TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Congregation 
Beth Israel on the 170th anniversary of its founding. Congregation Beth 
Israel, a Reform synagogue located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is 
one of the oldest synagogues in the United States still housing its 
original congregation.
  As immigrants from across Europe made their way to the United States 
in the mid-19th century, a group of German Jews settled in the Pocono 
Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania, drawn by the prospect of 
employment with the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. In the fall of 
1849, a small group from that wave of settlers saw the need for a 
Jewish congregation in the recently-formed community of Honesdale. 
Together they formed the first Jewish congregation in the area--
Congregation Beth Israel. Its beginning was humble; the group met in 
one of the member's homes to worship in the Orthodox tradition using a 
borrowed Torah.
  The Congregation continued to grow and flourish under its first 
spiritual leader, Rabbi Kutner. In 1850, the congregation drafted a 
constitution, purchased its own Torah, Shofar, and Megillah, and 
started a cemetery that is still in use. By 1854, the Congregation had 
its own Hebrew school. In 1856, the Congregation dedicated its Colonial 
meeting-house style building. Despite its early reputation as the 
smallest synagogue in the United States, the building went on to 
undergo several renovations and restorations over its impressive 
history, including the addition of gothic style stained glass windows, 
a sanctuary decorated with a chandelier and Tiffany globe sconces, and 
an annex.
  Between 1880 and 1890, the Jewish population in Honesdale declined, 
leaving the Congregation unable to maintain a full-time local rabbi 
after 1891. Congregation Beth Israel persisted in the face of these 
challenges and adapted to meet the changing needs of their community. 
The Congregation, which began as Orthodox, began to transform to 
reflect the German Reform or Classical Reform Tradition. The 1930s and 
1940s saw an increase of Eastern European Jews, and the Congregation 
began to change from Classical Reform to a more mainstream Reform 
congregation.
  Today, under the direction of Rabbi Elliott Kleinman and President 
Liza Roos Lucy, Congregation Beth Israel remains a thriving center for 
Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Congregation continues to 
support a religious school, host a variety of Jewish cultural events 
for the community, and celebrate many B'nai Mitzvah and weddings each 
year. They embrace a diverse and dynamic membership with members who 
can trace their lineage to the early founders of the synagogue and many 
others who have found and joined the community in the last 15 years. As 
a member of the Union of Reform Judaism, they are proud of their 
ability to embrace the changing world around them and welcome 
progressive values while upholding the spirit and teachings of the 
faith.
  It is an honor to recognize Congregation Beth Israel on their 170th 
anniversary. May the Congregation continue to build on this impressive 
legacy of worship and community.



                          ____________________