TITLE: Recognizing Congregation Beth El on the occasion of its 130th anniversary.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Congregation Beth El on the occasion of its 130th anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, For 130 years, residents of Tyler have come together to celebrate their faith at Congregation Beth El; and WHEREAS, Established on April 7, 1887, with 53 charter families, the congregation initially held services at the Odd Fellows Hall on the Square; the first temple was constructed on a lot at the corner of College and University Streets in 1889, and Congregation Beth El occupied another building for half a century before moving to its present location on Charleston Drive roughly 30 years ago; and WHEREAS, The current sanctuary is home to four sacred Torah scrolls, including one that was originally housed in a Czech temple before being seized by the Nazis during the World War II era; the campus also features a social hall and an educational space, where members can take part in such programs as an adult study group and a religious instruction class for children; and WHEREAS, During its early years, Beth El was led by lay people or by the occasional itinerant rabbi; in 1900, the congregation hired its first full-time rabbi, Maurice Faber, and it has since benefited from the efforts of a number of dedicated members of the clergy, including Rabbi Neal Katz, who has served the temple for the past 14 years; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to their community, Beth El members have generously shared their time and energies with the Tyler Day Nursery, the East Texas Food Bank, the Hospice of East Texas, and myriad other nonprofit organizations; and WHEREAS, Congregation Beth El has long served as a source of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, and its continued existence is a testament to the unwavering commitment of its members and clergy, both past and present; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby commemorate the 130th anniversary of Congregation Beth El and extend to its members sincere best wishes for many more years of shared prayer and fellowship; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the congregation as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Hughes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 4, 2017.