Fall River, Massachusetts
December 2024
Background
*Jewish settlement of Fall River began in 1875, and increased during the 1880’s and ‘90’s during a period of high emigration rates of Jews from Eastern Europe to the U.S.
*Between 1884 and 1926, seven synagogues emerged across Fall River, including Temple Beth El, which was formed as “Congregation Beth El” in 1924, with the current building being built between 1928 and 1929.
*The first gatherings of Congregation Beth El met for services in a music hall on Franklin St. in 1926. In 1927, a wooden church was purchased and converted into a synagogue; after only 5 months, this building was burned to the ground in the “Great Fire” of 1928. Some members rushed into the burning building and managed to salvage a number of the Torah scrolls and the magnificent menorahs that grace either side of our present bima.
Current Building on High Street
*In March 1928, a house and lot were purchased by Congregation Beth El on the corner of High and Locust Streets (our current location) from Mr. Abraham Zais. The house was razed, and a young architect, Samuel Dubitsky, was engaged to design and oversee the construction of a new temple.
*The cornerstone was laid on October 28, 1928, and the building, named Temple Beth El, was dedicated on Sept. 22, 1029.
*Shortly after this, land was purchased for the Temple Beth El Cemetery.
*Temple Beth El reached its zenith during the 1950’s, under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Samuel S. Ruderman when its membership swelled to over 600 families, with 450 students in the Hebrew school. During these years a large school building and auditorium were built. Also during this period there was a celebrated series of adult educational forums, called the “Adult Education Series,” featuring internationally-recognized scholars and public speakers. This forum was open to subscription by the wider Fall River public. Both Jews and non-Jews packed the hall for these lectures, enjoying this unique opportunity in Fall River to widen their horizons and enrich their minds.
*With the decline of the textile industry and related businesses in Fall River, the Jewish population of Fall River has, sadly, also declined. During the 60’s and 70’s, the sons and daughters of the Jewish families who had prospered in Fall River went off to the best colleges and universities, and had the chance to experience life in larger metropolitan areas. Most did not return to settle and raise their families here. Like synagogues and churches all across the United States, we are wrestling with how to meet the unique challenges of contemporary society’s approach to spirituality and religious and institutional affiliation. However, we still have a wonderful core of warm, down-to-earth communally- and spiritually-engaged members, and we have recently had a small upswing in Temple membership, largely due to our new spiritual leaders, Rabbi Mark Elber and Cantor Shoshana Brown (see below under “Spiritual Leadership”), who have revived the Temple Hebrew School after many years of dormancy.
*Temple Beth El has always had a vibrant Sisterhood (and in the past had a Brotherhood as well). The Sisterhood continues to support the Temple in many ways, with a special emphasis on sponsoring such events as the annual Chanukah party and the 2nd Night of Passover Community Seder, and maintaining the Temple Judaica gift shop.
*Temple Beth El houses an excellent Jewish library, holding thousands of books, and is still adding new selections. Members have full borrowing privileges.
