Temple Beth Zion
Visionary members and founders of Har Zion Temple (then in Wynnefield, near City Avenue) founded Temple Beth Zion because they saw the need to create a center for Conservative Judaism in Center City Philadelphia where none had existed previously. They defied contemporary wisdom that urban congregations would at best survive and in most cases fade as synagogues became established in the suburbs of American cities.
The congregation had its humble beginnings in the fall of 1945, meeting for prayer services at the Jewish YMCA. In early 1946, they officially incorporated. Within the next year, the young community attracted attention, with 150 families enrolled by mid-year. The rapid growth of the Congregation required a permanent home. Beth Israel acquired the Lit mansion at S. 19th Street and Delancey Street in 1946 and, with the help of noted architect and congregation member, Beryl Price, transformed the building into a Synagogue. By June 1947 the membership passed the 250 mark and, in the fall of that year, Temple Beth Zion had it’s first bar mitzvah, Leonard Siegel, and wedding, between Harold Sarshik and Frances Simon. By June of 1948, with their first Confirmation class, the synagogue was firmly established and thriving.
The visionaries had achieved their goal. A Conservative congregation had been founded in the center of Philadelphia. The vision of these men, however, went beyond mere establishment of the institution. Their concept was to extend American democratic principles into the workings of the Congregation. Their four major principles were: 1) no reserve seating for High Holy Days, 2) no solicitation of funds for the Temple from the pulpit, 3) equal rights for women in the operation of the Synagogue, and 4) unlike other congregations, management of the Synagogue by the lay leaders rather than the spiritual leaders. These principles were themselves an attraction to new members. They liked class but not ostentation. Poor members were not to fear embarrassment. Even overdress at High Holy Day services was deemed inappropriate.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Reuben J. Magil, Beth Zion outgrew the space at the Lit Mansion and purchased the current building in 1954. Once again, Price donated his time and talents to convert the Gothic stone church built in 1894, into a vibrant active synagogue community – to create the “jewel of a synagogue” we enjoy today.
