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[update], B'er Chayim counted approximately 50 families as members.[3]
| B'er Chayim Temple | |
|---|---|
 The synagogue, in 2024 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Cantor Jessica Roskin |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 107 W Union at South Centre Streets, Cumberland, Maryland |
| Country | United States |
  Location in Maryland | |
| Geographic coordinates | 39°39′2″N 78°45′38″W / 39.65056°N 78.76056°W |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| General contractor | John B. Walton |
| Date established | 1853 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1864 |
| Website | |
| berchayim | |
B'er Chayim Temple | |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001106 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1979 |
| [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
editJessica Roskin is the spiritual leader of B’er Chayim since July 2024.A native of North Miami Beach, FL, Cantor Roskin graduated from Indiana University with degrees in music and religious studies and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She was ordained in 1994. Prior to joining B’er Chayim, Cantor Roskin served as interim cantor at Temple Beth El in Charlotte, NC and at Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham, AL for 20 years.
Brian Lang serves as President of B'er Chayim.
Religious services and programs
editShabbat services are held Friday evening.[6] Services and celebrations of Jewish holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah,[7][8] Yom Kippur,[2] and Chanukah,[9] are held throughout the year.[6]
History
editThe 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,[10] 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.[10] The building was constructed by local builder John B. Walton.[5]
Prayers and sermons were originally held in German, rather than Hebrew.[11]
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.[12][13] The synagogue's building was reopened on August 17, 2014, and the synagogue was rededicated on November 7, 2014.[14] The Cumberland Historic Preservation Board gave an award to B'er Chayim for the synagogue's restoration.[15]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b c Barkley, Kristin Harty (September 18, 2011). "B'er Chayim temple had a major renovation in 2014. Built in 1864, brick building recognized as longest continuously operating synagogue in Maryland". The Cumberland Times-News.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Jewish community celebrating restoration of historic city temple". The Cumberland Times-News. November 2, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Services". B'er Chayim Temple. n.d. Retrieved October 9, 2016.[self-published source?]
- ^ Shapiro, David (August 28, 2010). "Jewish New Year starts Sept. 8". Mineral Daily News-Tribune.
- ^ "Celebrations offer hope for new birth, new ways". The Cumberland Times-News. September 1, 2010.
- ^ "How area residents celebrate Chanukah". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. November 22, 2009.
- ^ a b "B'er Chayim Temple". National Park Service. n.d. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- ^ Pratt, William; Dorsey, Dave (December 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: B'er Chayim Temple" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
- ^ Bieniek, Matthew (January 13, 2012). "Cardin visits city temple". The Cumberland Times-News.
- ^ "Temple renovations". The Cumberland Times-News. November 17, 2011.
- ^ "Congregation announces move back to temple". The Cumberland Times-News. July 24, 2014.
- ^ 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