Beth-el Congregation
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The beginnings of a Reform Jewish Community in Fort Worth date to 1879, when the Hebrew Benevolent Society opened a Sabbath School, and early services were held in homes. About 1900, under the leadership of Henry Gernsbacher (1858-1936), enthusiasm began to grow,and in 1902 a call was issued in the area for the organization of a formal congregation. Forty-three people gathered to found the Beth-el Congregation, and Sam Levy (1856-1927) was elected president. The Fort Worth section of the National Counsel of Jewish Women donated funds to bring a Rabbi to conduct High Holy Days services. The early days of the congregation were difficult ones, with services being held sporadically. For a time, student Rabbis from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati conducted services for High Holy Days. In 1904 a Rabbi was hired, and the congregation met in rented quarters. A lot was bought on the corner of Fifth and Taylor streets in 1907, and a Temple was built in 1908. By 1919 the congregation had outgrown the buildings and a new Temple was built on this site. Soon after a 25th Anniversary Celebration, the temple was destroyed by fire on August 29, 1946. Beth-El Temple was rebuilt, and dedicated on January 7, 1949. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Reform Jewish life in Fort Worth began in 1879 with a Hebrew Benevolent Society Sabbath school and home services, gaining momentum around 1900 under Henry Gernsbacher. In 1902 forty-three people gathered to found Beth-El Congregation, electing Sam Levy president, and after years of borrowed rooms and visiting student rabbis they built a temple in 1908 and a larger one on this site in 1919. Fire destroyed that building in 1946, and the rebuilt Beth-El Temple was dedicated in 1949.
Why it matters
Beth-El's steady growth from a handful of families into an established congregation traces the arrival and flourishing of Jewish immigrant communities in the American West.
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Related people
- · Henry Gernsbacher
- · Sam Levy
Themes & tags
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