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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 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

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

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

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

References

  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.

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