{{short description|Reform synagogue in Alexandria, Virginia, US}} {{For|similarly named synagogues|Beth-El (disambiguation){{!}}Beth-El}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox religious building | building_name = Beth El Hebrew Congregation | image = Beth El Hebrew Congregation (logo).png | image_size = | alt = Logo of Beth El Hebrew Congregation | caption = | map_type = USA Virginia | map_size = 250 | map_relief = 1 | map_caption = Location within [[Virginia]] | location = [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]], [[Virginia]] | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|38.82058|-77.096268|region:US-VA_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | religious_affiliation = [[Reform Judaism]] | rite = | consecration_year = | status = [[Synagogue]] | functional_status = Active | heritage_designation = | leadership = {{ubl|[[Rabbi]] David Spinrad|{{nowrap|Rabbi Brett Isserow {{small|(Emeritus)}}}}}} | website = {{URL|bethelhebrew.org}} | architect = | architecture_type = | architecture_style = | general_contractor = | established = 1859 {{small|(as a congregation)}} | groundbreaking = 1956 | year_completed = 1957 | construction_cost = | specifications = | interior_area = | capacity = | length = | width = | facade_direction = | height_max = | materials = | footnotes = <ref name= clergy>{{cite web |url=https://www.bethelhebrew.org/about-us/clergy |title=Clergy |work=Beth El Hebrew Congregation |date= |access-date=October 7, 2016 }}{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}} <!-- Tax ID 54-0681891 --> }} '''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''' is a [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] [[Jewish]] [[synagogue]] located in [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]], [[Virginia]], in the United States. Established on September 4, 1859, it is oldest active congregation in the [[Northern Virginia]] region.<ref name= history>{{cite web |editor=Silver, Louis |url=https://www.bethelhebrew.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/about/beth_el_hebrew_congregation_1859_to_1984.pdf |title=Beth El Hebrew Congregation 1859–1984 |work=Beth El Hebrew Congregation' |date=1984 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Beth El is an [[Egalitarianism#Judaism|egalitarian]] synagogue providing [[Judaism|worship]] in the Reform tradition and is a founding member of the [[Union for Reform Judaism]]. Beth El's aims to provide a safe, supportive environment that allows all individuals to continue their spiritual journeys through exploration, education, and participation. Beth El is dedicated to bringing wholeness and healing to members of the congregation and the community as a whole.<ref name= vision>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/about-us/vision-values Our Vision and Values]". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 7, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}
==Clergy and leadership== Beth El's clergy consists of [[Rabbi]] David Spinrad and [[Hazzan|Cantor]] Jason Kaufman.<ref name= clergy/> Brett Isserow serves as Rabbi Emeritus.
Alan J. Cohn is the [[President (corporation)|president]] of the [[board of directors]]. Liz Bayer serves as [[executive director]].<ref name= leadership>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/about-us/leadership Leadership]". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 7, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>
==Religious programs and activities== Beth El holds religious services for [[Shabbat]]<ref>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/worship/shabbat Shabbat]". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 9, 2016.</ref> and [[Jewish holidays]].<ref>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/worship/holidays Holidays] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010064850/https://www.bethelhebrew.org/worship/holidays |date=2016-10-10 }}". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 9, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}
The Beth El Early Childhood Learning Center offers a Jewish preschool program.<ref>[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/learning/preschool Beth El Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)]". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 9, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}} Beth El's religious school offers a religious curriculum to students in kindergarten through tenth grade.<ref>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/learning/religious-school Religious School]". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 9, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}
For adults, Beth El hosts religious study groups, [[Torah]] study groups, and classes to learn [[Hebrew Language|Hebrew]].<ref name= adult>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/learning/adult-education Adult Education Classes]". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 9, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}
Beth El's social action projects include conducting food drives,<ref>Martin, Montie. "[http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=13BC8E3CFAF840A0&p_docnum=169&p_queryname=8 Alive! Distributes Food to Needy: Volunteers work to ensure holiday meals]". ''The Alexandria Gazette Packet''. December 20, 2011.</ref> collecting baby items for victims of [[domestic violence]], supporting a social service safety net for those in need, and serving food to residents at a local shelter.<ref name= socialaction>"[https://www.bethelhebrew.org/community/social-action Social Action] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010064756/https://www.bethelhebrew.org/community/social-action |date=2016-10-10 }}". ''Beth El Hebrew Congregation''. Retrieved October 9, 2016. {{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}</ref>{{self-published-inline|date=December 2023}}
==History==
===Early history=== The congregation was established by approximately forty Jewish families living in Alexandria, Virginia, on September 4, 1859.<ref name= history/> The congregation went by the name Beth El Hebrew Congregation or the alternative name of Hebrew Congregation of Alexandria.<ref name= history/> For the [[High Holy Days]] of 1859, the congregation held separate services for those wishing to worship in the [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] tradition and those preferring a more [[Reform Judaism|liberal]] tradition.<ref name= history/> The two groups decided to worship together beginning in the following year's High Holy Days.<ref name= history/> Services were conducted in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] with accompaniment from a [[Choir#In worship services|choir]] and an [[pump organ|organ]].<ref name= history/> Services were held either in a rented space in the [[Young Men's Christian Association]] or in a congregant's home.<ref name = history/>
By the 1860s, Beth El worshiped at a rented space in Stewart's Hall at the northeast [https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B048'17.9%22N+77%C2%B002'40.1%22W/ corner] of [[King Street (Alexandria, Virginia)|King]] and Pitt streets.<ref name= history/> During this period, some of Beth El's services were led by ordained rabbis, while others were led by lay leaders.<ref name= history/> By 1867, Beth El finally had a permanent rabbi, Dr. Leopold Lowensohn.<ref name= history/>
===First synagogue=== [[File:Beth El Synagogue Historical Marker.jpg|thumb|right|Beth El Hebrew Congregation historical marker on Washington Street, site of the congregation's first building.]] Beth El held a [[Purim]] ball on March 8, 1871, in order to raise funds to construct a synagogue building.<ref name= history/> The next month, Beth El's leaders decided to build the synagogue on [https://www.google.com/maps/place/206+N+Washington+St,+Alexandria,+VA+22314/@38.8066148,-77.0490891,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b7b0f84f6c0b4f:0x217106e9a300f9d0!8m2!3d38.8066148!4d-77.0469004?hl=en land] located on [[Virginia State Route 400|Washington Street]], just north of Cameron Street.<ref name= history/> Construction began on June 26, and the building was completed by August 1871.<ref name= history/> Dedication and the first [[Shabbat]] services were held on September 1, 1871.<ref name= history/> The second floor served as the [[sanctuary]], while the first floor was used for social purposes and the religious school.<ref name= history/> Three years later, Beth El purchased the land on which the synagogue was built from its owner, partially from funds raised from selling pews to twenty of its families.<ref name= history/>
In 1873, Rabbi Lowensohn left Beth El, and he was replaced by Rabbi A.A. Bonnheim.<ref name= history/> A year later, several members accused Bonnheim of unbecoming conduct.<ref name= history/> After some deliberation, the majority of the membership gave a vote of confidence to the rabbi, and at least four families resigned in disgust and formed their own congregation.<ref name= history/> The families rejoined Beth El two years later when Bonnheim left Beth El.<ref name= history/>
Following Bonnheim's departure, Beth El did not have another rabbi who stayed with the congregation for more than two consecutive years for several decades.<ref name= history/>
===First schism=== In 1914, a group of Beth El's members who were new immigrants from [[Eastern Europe]] decided they preferred [[Conservative Judaism]] to [[Reform Judaism]].<ref name= google1>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=IxQjiH6EeOIC&pg=PA18867 Congressional Record]". ''Government Printing Office''. September 21, 2004.</ref><ref name=connect>"[http://www.agudasachim-va.org/images/pdf/EilehHaDevarimBrochure.pdf Connect: Eileh HaDevarim]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}". ''Agudas Achim Congregation''. Retrieved June 26, 2011.</ref> The group left Beth El and established [[Agudas Achim Congregation (Alexandria, Virginia)|Agudas Achim Congregation]].<ref name= google1/> Despite the split, the two congregations remained on cordial terms.<ref>Kredo, Adam. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/220891809/ The big 1-5-0]". ''Washington Jewish Week''. April 23, 2009. p. 1, 22.</ref>
===1930s and 1940s=== Six days after [[Kristallnacht]], Beth El's members convened in a special meeting.<ref name= history/> Benedict Weil, Beth El's president, proposed that Beth El hire Rabbi Hugo B. Schiff of [[Karlsruhe, Germany]], as its permanent rabbi.<ref name= history/> Schiff had been known in Northern Virginia for his work with Rabbi Ulrich Steuer of [[Fredericksburg, Virginia]]'s reform congregation.<ref name= history/> A graduate of the [[Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau]] and [[University of Erlangen-Nuremberg|Erlangen University]],<ref name= moderator>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/151731938/ Rabbi Schiff to Be Moderator Of War Meeting in Alexandria]". ''The Washington Post''. June 20, 1944. p. 4.</ref> Schiff had been the spiritual leader of a congregation of 1,000 members in Germany and a member of the Great Synagogue Council of [[Republic of Baden|Baden]].<ref name= refugee-rabbi>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/151308915/ Hadassah to Hear Refugee Rabbi]". ''The Washington Post''. September 16, 1940. P. 8.</ref> Rabbi Schiff had been imprisoned at the [[Dachau Concentration Camp]].<ref name= moderator/> Because Schiff would enter the United States on a [[visa policy of the United States#R visa|religious visa]], the visa would be relatively simple to obtain, and otherwise restrictive visa quotas would not apply.<ref name= history/>
Beth El's members enthusiastically approved the proposal.<ref name= history/> Schiff came to Beth El as its rabbi on April 18, 1939, bringing with him a [[Torah]] that had been rescued from Karlsruhe's destroyed synagogue.<ref name= history/> Virtually all Jewish residents of Karlsruhe who remained in the city were murdered in the [[Holocaust]].<ref>"[http://www.karlsruhe.de/b1/stadtgeschichte/gedenkbuch.de Gedenkbuch für die Karlsruher Juden]" (German). ''City of Karlsruhe''. December 20, 2006. Retrieved April 7, 2011.</ref>
Schiff expanded Shabbat services, reintroduced [[Bar Mitzvah]] and [[Confirmation]] ceremonies, hosted congregational [[Passover seder]]s, organized an adult study group,<ref name= history/> and held lectures about the history of Jewish people.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/151132214/ Alexandria Rabbi To Lecture on History]". ''The Washington Post''. October 18, 1939. p. 17.</ref> The interior and exterior of the synagogue were refurbished.<ref name= history/> Under Schiff's leadership, Beth El's membership quadrupled within nine years.<ref name= history/>
In 1941, Schiff became rabbi of the Arlington–Fairfax Jewish Center (since renamed Etz Hayim) on a part-time basis, which Beth El approved.<ref name= history/> Schiff also served as the rabbi of the [[Washington Hebrew Congregation]] during the summer months.<ref name= history/> Schiff became a professor of religion at [[Howard University]] in 1945.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/492729432/ Rabbi At Howard U.]" ''The Chicago Defender''. October 27, 1945. p. 6.</ref>
Schiff resigned from Beth El on July 1, 1948, in order to become a full-time assistant rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation.<ref name= history/><ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/152052177/ Dr. H.B. Schiff To Be Installed As Assistant Rabbi]". ''The Washington Post''. October 22, 1948. p. 23.</ref>
===Rabbi Helfgott=== C. Melvyn Helfgott, a newly ordained rabbi from Hebrew Union College, became Beth El's religious leader in 1949.<ref name= history/>
Instead of a conventional sermon during Shabbat services, Rabbi Helfgott moderated a series of adult discussions on Judaism.<ref name= history/> Shabbat morning services became more family-oriented.<ref name= history/> A youth group was formed.<ref name= history/> An adult-discussion group convened each Sunday morning.<ref name= history/> Helfgott formed a Jewish study group for young married adults.<ref name= history/>
Helfgott led Beth El until May 1953.<ref name= history/> Rabbi Emmet A. Frank became Beth El's spiritual leader in April 1954.<ref name= takespost>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/148559164/ Rabbi Frank Takes Post In Virginia]". ''The Washington Post''. April 22, 1954. p. 24.</ref> A graduate of the [[University of Houston]] and [[Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion|Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati]], Frank had served as assistant rabbi for a congregation in [[Houston]] before joining Beth El.<ref name= takespost/>
===New facility=== Because Beth El's membership quadrupled in size during the 1950s, the congregation began to consider moving to a larger location.<ref name= history/> By 1952, Beth El held additional High Holy Day services at a nearby church, and Beth El did the same for Shabbat services by 1955.<ref name= history/> By 1955, Beth El held an additional Shabbat service at a nearby Baptist church.<ref name= history/> The religious school's enrollment had also increased similarly, and Beth El had begun to rent space at local school buildings.<ref name= history/>
In 1955, Beth El purchased a wooded {{convert|5.5|acre|m2|adj=on}} piece of land on [[Virginia State Route 420|Seminary Road]] for $42,500.<ref name= history/> Beth El sold its synagogue for $25,000.<ref name= history/>
Plans for the new synagogue included a 440-seat sanctuary, a social hall large enough for 460 people, and 22 classrooms for the religious school.<ref name= dedications/> A fundraising campaign paid for some of the costs, and a mortgage paid for the remainder.<ref name= history/> Groundbreaking began on May 26, 1956.<ref name= history/> and the cornerstone was laid on February 10, 1957.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/148950479/ Cornerstone to Be Laid By Beth El Congregation]". ''The Washington Post''. February 8, 1957. p. D8.</ref> The building was formally dedicated on September 13, 1957.<ref name= dedications>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/148903140/ 2 Synagogue Dedications Set]". ''The Washington Post''. September 13, 1957. p. D2.</ref>
===Advocacy of school desegregation=== In 1954, the [[United States Supreme Court]] held in the case of [[Brown v. Board of Education]] that laws requiring students to attend different [[Public school (government funded)|public schools]] [[Segregation in the United States|based on their race]] is unconstitutional because separate facilities are inherently unequal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Huston |first=Luther A. |date=May 18, 1954 |title=High Court Bans School Segregation; 9-to-0 Decision Grants Time to Comply |work=The New York Times |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0517.html |access-date=2023-08-28}}</ref> In response [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Harry F. Byrd Sr.]] organized the [[Massive resistance|Massive Resistance movement]] to close public schools rather than desegregate them.<ref>"[https://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/brown/resistance.htm Brown v. Board of Education: Virginia Responds]". ''State Library of Virginia''. 2003.</ref>
In 1958, Rabbi Frank criticized Byrd's massive resistance movement in his sermon during [[Kol Nidre]] services.<ref name= defend>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/533560039/ Protestants Defend Rabbi in Race Issue: Virginia Ministers Insist On His Right To Speak Out]". ''The Baltimore Sun''. October 4, 1958. p. 5.</ref>
Segregationists in Virginia were quick to denounce Frank's sermon.<ref name= history/> Newspapers in [[southern Virginia]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]],<ref name= history/> and [[New York City|New York]] criticized the sermon,<ref name= history/> and Frank received multiple threatening phone calls.<ref name= scare/> while many rabbis and Christian churches in [[Metropolitan Washington]] supported Frank.<ref name= defend/>
A few weeks later, Frank was invited to speak about Judaism at Arlington Unitarian Church.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/149045978/ Area Church Emptied by Bomb Threat: Unitarians Forced To Cancel Rabbi's Arlington Sermon Bomb Scare Postpones Rabbi's Arlington Talk]". ''The Washington Post''. October 20, 1958. p. A1.</ref> Due to a bomb threat; the church was evacuated and the speech was canceled.<ref name= bombthreat>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/541020626/ 420 Persons Flee Church: Bomb Feared: Rabbi Was To Speak At Unitarian Service In Arlington. Va]". ''The Baltimore Sun''. October 20, 1958. p. 6.</ref>
Frank said he would return to speak at the church the following Sunday because "I have a lot to say and I don't run that easy."<ref name= scare>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/493701995/ Va. Church Bomb Scare Under Probe]". ''United Press International''. Daily Defender (Chicago, Illinois). October 21, 1958. p. A5.</ref> Frank said the bomb threat was the work "of a group of cowards who are afraid to come out into the daylight."<ref name= scare/> People from around the country mailed letters to Beth El in support of Rabbi Frank.<ref name= history/>
At Frank's next sermon, he said that a "Jew who remains silent in the face of prejudice leveled at another group of God's children is traitorous to the basic principle of Judaism."<ref name= blackmail>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/149010348/ Rabbi Frank Defies 'Religious Blackmail']". ''The Washington Post''. October 25, 1958. p. D3.</ref> Referring to the people who violently supported segregation, he pointed to the Jewish concept of repentance and forgiveness, saying, "no man should be so merciless that he will not forgive even the most sordid actions of men."<ref name= blackmail/>
Frank returned to speak at the church the next Sunday.<ref name= postponed>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/149041668/ Rabbi Gives Sermon Postponed by Threat]". ''The Washington Post''. October 27, 1958. p. B1.</ref> In the audience was [[George Lincoln Rockwell]], a [[neo-Nazi]] leader.<ref name= postponed/> On the church's lawn before his speech, Frank introduced himself to Rockwell and welcomed him to hear his speech.<ref name=postponed/> When Rockwell proposed that he meet with Frank later to clear up some misunderstandings, Frank agreed to do so.<ref name= postponed/>
===Centennial=== Beth El marked its [[centennial]] with a three-day celebration in March 1960.<ref name= 3day>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/141171856/ Temple Beth El Starts 3-Day Centennial Celebration Tonight]". ''The Washington Post''. March 4, 1960. p. A9.</ref>
===Second schism=== On January 11, 1962, the Jewish Community Council stated it opposed public schools having celebrations of religious holidays such as Christmas. In response, Frank wrote a [[letter to the editor]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' saying there was nothing wrong with a public school having a celebration of Christmas together with a celebration of Hanukkah.<ref name= loe>Frank, Rabbi Emmet A. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/141782987/ ...With Love]" ([[letter to the editor]]). ''The Washington Post''. January 26, 1962. p. A16.</ref> Frank wrote that such religious holiday celebrations were a way to teach children to respect others' religion.<ref name= loe/>{{efn|On June 25, 1962, in the case of [[Engel v. Vitale]], the [[United States Supreme Court]] ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/370623311/ Highlight Of U.S. Supreme Court's Decision During 1961-62 Term Is 'All State Segregation Laws' Out]". ''Tri-State Defender'' (Memphis, Tennessee). October 13, 1962. p. 1.</ref> On June 17, 1962, in the case of [[Abington School District v. Schempp]], the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that school-sponsored reading of Biblical verses in public schools is unconstitutional.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/116416732/ Summary of Supreme Court's Actions]". ''The New York Times''. June 18, 1963. p. 27.</ref>}}
Many of Beth El's congregants were unhappy with Frank's letter.<ref name= history/> Opposition to the rabbi and lay leadership at Beth El resulted in 43 families leaving and forming in new congregation, [[Temple Rodef Shalom (Falls Church, Virginia)|Temple Rodef Shalom]] in [[Falls Church, Virginia|Falls Church]] in 1962.<ref name= history/><ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/141494674/ Reform Jewish Temple Formed In Falls Church]". ''The Washington Post''. July 28, 1962. p. C9.</ref>
Frank left Beth El in 1969 after accepting a position at [[Temple De Hirsch]], a Reform congregation in [[Seattle]].<ref name= speaking>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/147637227/ Departing Rabbi Champions 'Speaking Out']". ''The Washington Post''. June 28, 1969. p. B8.</ref> Frank said he was proud of always speaking from his heart about what he believed to be true.<ref name= speaking/> He was replaced by Rabbi Arnold G. Fink, an 11th-generation rabbi who graduated from Princeton University and Hebrew Union College.
===Expansion=== By the mid-1960s, Beth El's synagogue was no longer large enough, particularly for its religious school, which had become overcrowded.<ref name= history/> A committee's proposal to expand the synagogue building included a larger social hall, additional classrooms, and a room for youth groups.<ref name= history/> The expansion plan was approved in 1967.<ref name= history/>
Beth El's membership continued to grow through the early 1980s.<ref name= history/> With more of its families consisting of two parents with full-time careers and raising a family, fewer members were available to volunteer, and Beth El began to hiring employees to do the work that volunteers had always done.<ref name= history/>
Due to the growing number of congregants, Beth El's rabbi, Rabbi Arnold G. Fink, found he was stretched too thin.<ref name= history/> Rabbi Amy Perlin became Beth El's first Assistant Rabbi in the summer of 1982.<ref name= history/>
After 33 years of service, Rabbi Fink retired in 2002, becoming [[emeritus|rabbi emeritus]]. The Beth El Learning Center was named in his honor.<ref name= singing>Pope, Michael Lee. "[http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=11C826159CB95908&p_docnum=31&p_queryname=8 The Singing Rabbi – Arnold Fink, 69, leaves lasting legacy in Alexandria's Jewish community]". ''The Alexandria Gazette Packet''. April 7, 2005.</ref> Rabbi Brett R. Isserow was named Beth El's senior rabbi.<ref name= tablets>"[http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=0F9FD5D6F9491D63&p_docnum=46&p_queryname=11 Torah tablets mark historic synagogue]". ''The Washington Times''. March 24, 200. p. A2.</ref> A native of [[Johannesburg]], Rabbi Isserow studied at the [[University of Witwatersrand]] and [[Hebrew Union College]]'s Jewish Institute of Religion in [[Cincinnati]].<ref name= tablets/> He came to Beth El after serving as associate rabbi at [[The Temple (Atlanta)|Hebrew Benevolent Congregation]] in [[Atlanta]].<ref name= tablets/>
In 2017, Isserow announced his retirement, and Rabbi David Spinrad was selected as his replacement,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foretek |first1=Jared |title=Reporter |url=http://washingtonjewishweek.com/43757/beth-el-hebrew-names-new-rabbi/news/local-news/ |website=Washington Jewish Week |publisher=Mid-Atlantic Media |accessdate=20 June 2018}}</ref> while Isserow would remain on in the role of rabbi emeritus. Spinrad also served at Hebrew Benevolent Congregation in Atlanta before beginning his tenure at Beth El in July 2018.
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.bethelhebrew.org/}} * {{facebook|BethElHebrew}}
{{Synagogues in the United States}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beth El Hebrew Congregation}} [[Category:Buildings and structures in Alexandria, Virginia]] [[Category:Reform synagogues in Virginia]] [[Category:Synagogues completed in 1957]] [[Category:Jewish organizations established in 1859]] [[Category:1859 establishments in Virginia]] [[Category:20th-century synagogues in the United States]] [[Category:Synagogues in Virginia]]