Congregation Beth El

My family joined Beth El way back in 1957, very shortly after it opened. My mother and aunt still belong to the congregation. My sister & I attended Sunday School there for eleven years/​each and we were confirmed at Beth El. I adored Rabbi Scolnic & Judy and I’ve been very impressed with Rabbi Rudolph’s kindness & humor. The staff — and there are many — have always been wonderful. In particular, I’m very fond of Ricardo; he’s in charge of senior programs and my mother participates in those. The kitchen & the facilities staff are terrific and there’s very little turnover (I fondly remember Dorothy Beverly, who ran the kitchen for eons). Cantor Lubin had an incredibly beautiful singing voice and «a heart of gold». I’ve also heard great things about the new cantor. The receptionist — Hattie — is very friendly. Beth El’s Nursery School has always had a superb reputation. My sister & I belonged to Beth El’s USY (youth group) and loved it. I have great memories of attending my sister’s wedding and two of my close friends’ weddings at Beth El (I met them via USY in 1965 and we’re still friends). I have special memories of attending my late grandfather’s 90^th birthday party at the Morning Minyan, where the beloved (late) Max Cohen prepared the food. I spoke at his funeral service at Beth El… I have myriad memories of my association with Beth El throughout my life, both happy and poignant. The thing I love in particular about the congregation is that its large size doesn’t detract one bit from its incredibly personal ambiance. In recent years the building has been expanded a few times due to increased enrollment and it’s a beautiful place. I’m not a religious person, but I love Beth El in its entirety.