Beth Am Synagogue

Beth Am was founded on Shabbat Chanukah, 1974. At Shabbat Chanukah 2004 the congregation began a year-long 30th anniversary celebration. The synagogue building is much older, of course. Built in 1922, it was home to Chizuk Amuno congregation until 1962, when the congregation moved to its present site on Stevenson Road. However, Hazzan Abba Weisgall... continued to lead regular services in the older structure and was joined on High Holydays by Dr. Louis L. Kaplan, the retired president of Baltimore Hebrew University. When Chizuk Amuno put the building up for sale in 1974, members who had been worshipping at the old building hastily formed a congregation and purchased it. Dr. Kaplan's wife, Etta, suggested the name "Beth Am," or "House of the People." Dr. Kaplan continued to serve as rebbe until 1981, when Beth Am hired its first full-time rabbi.Read More