HISTORY
During the second half of the nineteenth century, many Jewish settlers were attracted to the Grand Traverse area by its prosperous lumber business and fertile agriculture opportunities. They continued to follow the trade of their ancestors and came as pack peddlers. Many eventually settled down and opened businesses of their own or in partnership with fellow Jews in the rough pioneer towns of the era.
Julius Levinson, Julius Steinberg and Solomon Yalomstein were the original Jewish settlers in Traverse City. They all became prosperous merchants and were the first trustees and first officers of the Hebrew Congregation.
In 1882, Articles of Confederation were written to form a Hebrew Congregation. Two years later, Julius Steinberg purchased five acres of land as a cemetery for its members. And in 1885, Perry Hannah, a local lumber magnate and philanthropist whose contributions figure greatly in the building of Traverse City, donated the land where our synagogue is still located.
Ground was broken and a cornerstone was laid in 1885. The congregation was able to pay for the synagogue's construction through fund-raising efforts and mortgages. Temple Beth El was completed and formally dedicated in March 1886. The Star of David stained glass window still seen above the ark today was donated by Julius Steinberg.
In 1939, the congregation responded to the request of the Joint Distribution Committee to resettle survivors of Nazi suppression in small towns and the synagogue was active in raising funds to aid in rescue and resettlement efforts. One of the Torah scrolls in our ark today was salvaged from a synagogue in Prague, Czechoslovakia, which was destroyed during this time.
A larger membership with its increased activities made renovation imperative by 1960. The sanctuary's wooden seats were replaced with was removed to provide permanent living quarters for the visiting student plush, cut velvet chairs. The basement was converted into a multi-purpose room and the mikvah and fireplace were removed to accommodate a kitchenette and bathroom . In 1972, the former second-floor women's gallery, which had not been used since the 1940's, rabbi.
Through the help and encouragement of temple members, Congregation Beth El was officially listed on the State Register of Historic Sites due to its distinction as the oldest building in Michigan in continuous use as a synagogue. A major celebration was held at the site in October 1977 to dedicate the marker, which proudly stands in front of our building. It was unveiled by Governor William G. Milliken.
In August 1997 a group of community leaders came together to start a congregation in the Grand Traverse area with the hope that it might become a community that is spiritual, active, vibrant, and very welcoming. This group became a steering committee that guided the vision and formation of Congregation Ahavat Shalom.
In 2015 Ahavat Shalom and Beth El merged into one congregation. Today, as Congregation Beth Shalom, we offer monthly services and Torah study, educational opportunities, and congregational events centered on the High Holy Days, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover.
