Introducing "The First 150 Years, A History of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego"

by President Emily Jennewein

Chris and I extend a warm welcome to our home to celebrate the publication and release of A Time to Remember, The First 150 Years, A History of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego.

For the last four years, many dedicated Beth Israel historians, volunteers and staff have worked to chronicle the endeavors of those early visionaries and the many others along the journey who built a thriving Jewish community in San Diego.

The nearly 150-page book is a beautifully designed and carefully researched and edited volume.  Our magnificent book is a comprehensive historical account that celebrates as many as possible of the stories of multiple generations of San Diego Jews.

For me, it has been a privilege to be intimately involved with the development of our Book and it has been a highlight of the 150^th anniversary year. Everyone here today played a critical part in what was the ultimate team effort to bring this Book to fruition.

·       The Book was written and researched by the Beth Israel History Project, led by Larry Krause, Stan Schwartz and George Wise. The History Project was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award for this in 2010.  

·       Work on the project continued under the utmost care and guidance of Editor Liz Levine, with whom I have relished working closely.

·       Anna Newton has served ably as Project Coordinator

·       Steve Gould assisted with the many photos,

·       Karen Shein designed the beautiful cover.

·       And my good friend and excellent designer, Aaryn Marchisa, designed the nearly 150-page book itself.

Lesley Mills, our outstanding executive director, guided and steered the entire project. Thanks to Lesley’s foresight and the generosity of two donors, Beth Israel is able to fulfill Larry Krause’s dream to give a copy of the book to every member family. Those donors are the Scher Family and the Slayen Family.

I’d like to introduce Mary Ann Scher, who chaired the entire 150^th anniversary year.  And I’d like to introduce the Executive Committee of our Beth Israel Board, who are here to demonstrate how important this Book is to our Congregation:

·       Past President Ron Simon

·       Past President Jerry Goldberg

·       Mitch Siegler

·       Meryl Maneker

·       and Meg Mandel, our President-Elect.  

We are also honored by the presence of

·       Cantor Shelly and Marcy Merel

·       Rabbi Michael Satz and Eitan

·       Rabbi Cantor Arlene Bernstein

·       Rabbi Michael Berk and Rabbi Aliza Berk.

On Rosh Hashanah morning, I look forward to proudly announcing the official publication and release of the book.

And during the High Holy Days, each member family may pick up their own copy.  The book will be available at the conclusion of the Rosh Hashanah morning service and throughout the High Holy Days at the Civic Theatre and at Beth Israel. It will be available again at Sukkot and Simchat Torah as well as at the temple office.

As you can tell, working on Beth Israel’s history book was an endeavor I enjoyed as much as anything I got to participate in this year. I feel sure that our book will endure for many future generations, and will help Beth Israel continue to serve and lead San Diego’s Reform Jewish community.