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Historically
speaking, Congregation Beth Israel dates back to the early years of the
twentieth century. At that time, a number of its early members and executive
worshipped at the House of Jacob, which was dedicated in 1911.
With
the Jewish community continuing to grow, the capacity of the old Synagogue
became overtaxed. During this period there were many members of the Beth
Jacob who expressed the desire and need to worship in a less Orthodox
manner.
At the
same time, The Calgary Hebrew School found its facilities filled to the
limit and so it was a natural step for those who wished to build a new
House of Worship to have the school join with them in constructing a new
building to meet both needs. This new building which was known as the
house of Israel was started in the late 1920s at the corner of 18th Avenue
and Centre Street South. Because of the depression and financial difficulties
it was many years before it was completed.
The first
news story concerning the new Jewish congregation appeared in the Calgary
Herald of December 12, 1935. It read: "A.S Horwitz was elected
president of the Beth Israel Congregation formed at the Jewish Community
Centre Wednesday night. This group will have as its religious leader Rammi
M. Casriel Katz and services will be conducted separately from those of
the Beth Jacob Congregation which already exists in the city. On the supporting
board of officers are H.W Zemens, vice president, Harry L. Epstein, treasurer,
J.J Wise, financial secretary, William Epstein, recording secretary, and
five trustees: T Chertkow, A. H Goldberg, D. Dvorkin, M Yankess and H
Bercov.
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