Beth El Congregation is a descendant of Anshe Emeth Congregation, which was organized before 1918 on South Balch Street. In fact, it was the Anshe Emeth building and property that evolved into the old Akron Jewish Center. By special arrangement after the Center was formed, the congregation continued to hold services in the building.
In 1927, the congregation reorganized as the United Modern Orthodox Congregation.
In 1945, the congregation joined the United Synagogue of America and became the first Conservative congregation in the city. Services were held at 369 South Maple Street, on the corner of West Exchange Street. That November, a mail poll was conducted to choose a name, and Beth El was born.
Groundbreaking for Beth El’s building on South Hawkins Avenue was held on May 8, 1950. Dedication ceremonies were held in early December, 1951.
In March, 2012, the members of Beth El voted to sell the South Hawkins Avenue property and to relocate to the campus of the Shaw Jewish Community Center. On July 15 upon the conclusion of the final morning minyan at 464 South Hawkins, our Torahs were marched in a large procession led by musicians, congregants, and well-wishers from the community to our new home at 750 White Pond Drive. Many of the beautiful elements from the original building were repurposed in the auditorium and chapel area.
Beth El Congregation is a Conservative synagogue that meets the spiritual and social needs of our congregants by providing a welcoming, vibrant, and engaging community for Jewish life and religious practice in an egalitarian, progressive, and caring environment.
We seek to provide a wide range of spiritual, cultural, social, and lifelong learning experiences to all who are looking for a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community.
Beth El Congregation is an egalitarian Conservative congregation located at the front door of the Albert L. and Janet A. Schultz Campus for Jewish Life and affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Beth El Congregation is only 30 minutes from Cleveland, OH. Cleveland has many additional Jewish and cultural offerings including the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, kosher butchers, groceries, as well as performing arts and sports venues. There is a definite Akron-Cleveland connection. Beth El is also part of the Charlotte Goldberg Community Mikvah Consortium.
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