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WHEREAS, the Beth-El Congregation of the South Hills is both a congregation that operates an open place of worship as well as an active community, that in addition to religious services provides its members with services such as religious school, bingo, event planning, catering, and Stay 'n Play; and
WHEREAS, in 1917 Rebecca Ruderman addressed the need for a religious school in the South Hills by knocking on doors, finding other like-minded Jewish mothers, and establishing the Jewish Mother's Club of Beechview, to establish a Hebrew curriculum while also satisfying social needs; and
WHEREAS, the Jewish Mother's Club of Beechview was successful in establishing a religious school, the site of which doubled as a meeting spot for religious services for the South Hills Jewish community, however they had difficulty securing a permanent location; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the efforts of the Jewish Mother's Club of Beechview, members of the South Hills Jewish community met on April 29, 1919 and established the Beechview Hebrew Congregation Beth El, to help in the search for a permanent site for the religious school and make religious services among the community a regular operation; and
WHEREAS, on March 28, 1920 and April 11, 1920 the Beechview Hebrew Congregation purchased adjoining lots at which combined to become 1910 Broadway Avenue, and by 1927 the Beth-El Congregation had completed the construction for their first permanent site; and
WHEREAS, the Beth-El Congregation has greatly transformed since its establishment, transitioning from an Orthodox congregation to a Modern Conservative one, moving and expanding multiple times from its original site in Beechview to serve its ever-growing congregation, and constantly offering more services to serve its members; and
WHEREAS, 2017 is the Centennial of the Beth El Congregation of South Hills, an anniversary on which we can reflect and appreciate both the vibrant community that Beth-El has become and the services that it provides for the South Hills Jewish community; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby acknowledges the services and sense of community that Beth El Congregation has provided and will continue to provide to the South Hills; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council hereby declares Tuesday, November 20, 2017, “Beth-El Congregation of the South Hills Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.