History of Temple Beth-El
San Antonio, Texas
This History of Temple Beth-El was written by the 125th Anniversary History Book Committee, Steven Gross, Chair, on the occasion of our 125th Anniversary, in 1999.
Dedication
Our committee would like to dedicate this history of our Congregation to several people without whom this undertaking would not be possible. We first wish to honor Dr. Max Blumer, who wrote the history of Temple Beth-El at the occasion of our 75th Anniversary Celebration, and whose work is incorporated into this history in great part. We also wish to thank Frances R. Kallison, whose history, 100 Years of Jewry in San Antonio, is without a doubt the best account of our early years. We have shamelessly relied upon her research in this history, for none of us pretends to be the scholar that she is. Our current Rabbis and our staff were most helpful with both information and advice, but our committee also wishes to acknowledge the two people without whom our history would have been much dimmer - Rabbi David and Helen Jacobson. They are our past, our present and our model for the future.
Introduction
Our Past - "Hats Off"
Temple Beth-El’s First 75 Years
Our Synagogue
Our Rabbis
Our Brothers and Sisters
The Last 50 Years - “Vat Vas, Ain’t”
Torah
Avodah
Gemilut Chasadim
And the Youth Shall See Visions
Charter Members
Presidents
Rabbis
Modern Day Professionals
125th Anniversary History and Celebration Committees
Sisterhood Presidents
Brotherhood Presidents
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