History of Temple Beth El
Temple Beth El was the first attempt to organize a synagogue in Palm Beach County. It assembled at a house on 5th Street in 1919. In those days, the Jewish community was small, and the area encompassed by the initial network of Jews went as far as Fort Pierce to the north, south to Boca Raton, and west to the Glades. As the population in the Palm Beach area grew and as the diverse individuality of the Jewish sprit expressed itself, there became a need for diversity, as well as independent and modified visions of what the synagogue should be.
In the beginning, an organization called the Jewish Community Center existed to serve the Palm Beach Jewish population. When the Jewish community showed growth in the number of Jewish families in the area in 1922, a movement developed for a separate religious organization with the Center for worship.
This matter was presented to the general membership for action and approval at a separate meeting held at the old Keystone Hotel. The main issue was whether the new organization be Reform or Conservative. Lengthy discussion and vote on the matter manifested a majority in favor of the Reform group. The vote brought a split in the forces of the Center group.
The Conservative group formed Temple Beth El, and the Reformed forces eventually organized Temple Beth Israel, which is now known as Temple Israel. As an organized religious group, Beth El held regular Sabbath eve services in a small rented room at the West Palm Beach Women’s Club, conducted by lay leader, Jacob Fein. Though Conservative, the worshippers were bareheaded – only the leader wore a yarmulke. This system prevailed until 1927.
In 1926, when membership was on the increase, a move was started for a religious sanctuary. After months of deliberation and planning, a 100 by 100 parcel of land was purchased on 7th Street, just west of Dixie Highway. A Sanctuary seating some 300 persons was erected and dedicated (this building later became the County Health Department). In the meantime, the Congregation had been undergoing procedures for the receipt of a charter. The charter of the Articles of Incorporation of Congregation Beth El is dated March 1, 1926. The prime signer was Jacob Fein.
Financial problems arose with the “boom bust” of the late 1920’s and the loss of members to Temple Israel. The remaining group was unable to meet its financial obligations on mortgage payments, which brought about foreclosure and the loss of the sanctuary.
When Jacob Fein was left holding the bag after other signers of the mortgage did not follow through on their obligation, he left Temple Beth El to later become a President of Temple Israel.
Following a period of re-organization, the Temple was once again consolidated. Land was purchased on Fern Street, and a new sanctuary was built. Rabbi Emanuel Greenstein, as spiritual leader, seems to have played an important role in this renewal. Eventually, a religious school building and a social hall were built. This complex is now the University of Palm Beach. As the congregation grew, High Holiday services were held in the American Legion Hall on Okeechobee Road.
In the late 1950’s, membership had grown to 140 families. Land for a new facility was purchased on Flagler Drive between 27th and 28th Streets. A controversy arose regarding the tenure of the then spiritual leader, Rabbi Max M. Landman. This resulted in the move of several members of Temple Israel and also the formation of Temple Emanu El in Palm Beach.
Coincidentally with the coming of Rabbi Hyman Fishman as the new spiritual leader, momentum was started for a new Temple building program. Groundbreaking services were held on May 19, 1963, and work began on the construction of the building. The construction of Senter Hall was followed by the completion of the adjacent school building. Senter Hall served as both a sanctuary and social hall until completion of the Fread Sanctuarty. Fread Sanctuary and the modern house of worship was built and dedicated over the weekend of February 13-15, 1970. Additional classrooms were built in 1970.
And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
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