B'er Chayim Temple

Summary

B'er Chayim Temple (transliterated from Hebrew as "Well of Life",[2] a metaphor in which Torah is likened to water) is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Cumberland, Maryland, in the United States. As of 2008, B'er Chayim counted approximately 72 families as members.[3]

B'er Chayim Temple
The synagogue, in 2008
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Mark J. Perman
StatusActive
Location
LocationUnion and South Centre Streets, Cumberland, Maryland
CountryUnited States
B'er Chayim Temple is located in Maryland
B'er Chayim Temple
Location in Maryland
Geographic coordinates39°39′2″N 78°45′38″W / 39.65056°N 78.76056°W / 39.65056; -78.76056
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleGreek Revival
General contractorJohn B. Walton
Date established1853 (as a congregation)
Completed1866 (158 years ago) (1866)
Website
berchayim.org
B'er Chayim Temple
AreaLess than one acre
NRHP reference No.79001106
Added to NRHPNovember 15, 1979 (44 years ago) (1979-11-15)
[1]

B'er Chayim is the oldest synagogue building in continuous use as a synagogue in Maryland and the sixth oldest in the United States.[4][5]

Clergy and leadership edit

Mark J. Perman has served as the rabbi of B'er Chayim since July 2016.[6] A native of New York City,[7] Perman graduated from the High School of Performing Arts, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and New York University.[6] Perman was ordained a cantor in 1997,[6] and he was ordained a rabbi by Mesifta Program in Queens, New York, in 2013.[6] Prior to joining B'er Chayim, Perman served as the interim cantor at Congregation Emanu El in Houston.[7]

Lee Schwartz serves as president of B'er Chayim.[8]

Religious services and programs edit

Shabbat services are held Friday evening.[9] Services and celebrations of Jewish holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah,[10][11] Yom Kippur,[2] and Chanukah,[12] are held throughout the year.[9]

Torah study sessions are held twice a month.[9]

History edit

The first Jewish resident recorded in Cumberland dates to 1816. Twelve Jewish families were living in Cumberland, which then had a population of 6,150, in 1853 when congregation B'er Chayim was chartered by the Maryland state legislature.[4] The congregation was Orthodox when the temple was built,[13] although it is now a Reform congregation.

Between 1865 and 1867, the congregation built a two-story, Greek Revival synagogue building on the corner of South Centre and Union Streets. The building cost $7,427.02 to construct.[4] The facade is ornamented with four pilasters, a handsome pediment, and four very un-Greek Rundbogenstil, or round-arched, windows.[13] The building was constructed by local builder John B. Walton.[5]

Prayers and sermons were originally held in German, rather than Hebrew.[14]

Beth Jacob Synagogue, which was also located in Cumberland, merged with B'er Chayim Temple in 1996.[3]

In 2011, the synagogue underwent renovation.[2] The brickwork's mortar was redone, the wrought iron gates outside the entrance were restored, improved the interior, and made the synagogue wheelchair-accessible.[15][16] The synagogue's building was reopened on August 17, 2014, and the synagogue was rededicated on November 7, 2014.[17] The Cumberland Historic Preservation Board gave an award to B'er Chayim for the synagogue's restoration.[18]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Barkley, Kristin Harty (September 18, 2011). "B'er Chayim temple will undergo major renovation: Built in 1864, brick building recognized as longest continuously operating synagogue in Maryland". The Cumberland Times-News.
  3. ^ a b Pash, Barbara (October 31, 2008). "'We Don't Give Up': Cumberland's sole synagogue helps maintain Western Maryland's Jewish presence". The Baltimore Jewish Times.
  4. ^ a b c "Jewish community celebrating restoration of historic city temple". The Cumberland Times-News. November 2, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Gordon, Mark W (1996). "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues". American Jewish History (2019 update ed.). pp. 11–27.
  6. ^ a b c d "Meet Our Rabbi". B'er Chayim Temple. n.d. Retrieved October 9, 2016.[self-published source?]
  7. ^ a b Blaisdell, Elaine (October 3, 2016). "New rabbi has plans for theater at B'er Chayim". The Cumberland Times-News.
  8. ^ "Board Members, Committee Chairs and Contacts". B'er Chayim Temple. Retrieved October 9, 2016.[self-published source?]
  9. ^ a b c "Services". B'er Chayim Temple. n.d. Retrieved October 9, 2016.[self-published source?]
  10. ^ Shapiro, David (August 28, 2010). "Jewish New Year starts Sept. 8". Mineral Daily News-Tribune.
  11. ^ "Celebrations offer hope for new birth, new ways". The Cumberland Times-News. September 1, 2010.
  12. ^ "How area residents celebrate Chanukah". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. November 22, 2009.
  13. ^ a b "B'er Chayim Temple". National Park Service. n.d. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  14. ^ Pratt, William; Dorsey, Dave (December 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: B'er Chayim Temple" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  15. ^ Bieniek, Matthew (January 13, 2012). "Cardin visits city temple". The Cumberland Times-News.
  16. ^ "Temple renovations". The Cumberland Times-News. November 17, 2011.
  17. ^ "Congregation announces move back to temple". The Cumberland Times-News. July 24, 2014.
  18. ^ Barkley, Kristin Harty (August 30, 2012). "Commission recognizes B'er Chayim temple - Greene Street property also receives preservation commission award". The Cumberland Times-News.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • B'er Chayin Temple, Allegany County, including 1979 photo, at Maryland Historical Trust