For fifty years…

For fifty years this building has provided us with a center where we can rejoice in the life of a vibrant Jewish Community in Riverside, California. For fifty years we have come to this Temple Beth El as a congregation to pray and meditate, to celebrate and dance, to mourn and weep, to study and learn. For fifty years we have weathered changes, watched dear ones enter and leave the world, and we are still here. Temple Beth El is more than bricks and mortar. Its walls and roof were built by the combined vision, energy, sweat, tears and joy of the founders and the generations of all of us who have walked in their larger-than-life footsteps. Tonight we celebrate this Golden Anniversary and look forward to ANOTHER fifty years!!!

View of Israel from Mt. Nebo

congratulations to temple beth el

on the occasion of her 50th anniversary!

I am proud to serve as your rabbi.

Jordan joins me in a big Mazal Tov,

Rabbi Suzanne Singer

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In Loving Memory OfHy and Rose Rosen

Founding Members - Jewish Community leaders !ank you for helping build the Jewish Foundation at

Temple Beth El For Generations to come

ChildrenJack RosenBryan RosenMarjorle (Rosen) Horowitz

GrandchildrenRenee (Rosen)!ompson Brent Rosen Kevin Rosen Joshua Rosen Shayna (Horowitz) ShahamAdam Horowitz

Great GrandchildrenAllison !ompsonRyan Rosen Regan RosenHudson RosenMason RosenYael Shaham Talia Shaham McKenna Horowitz Preston Horowitz

From Cantor Bob and Barbara Sirotnik

Hard to believe 50 years have gone by, and for most of that time we have had the pleasure and honor of sharing our lives with what truly

exemplifies the strength of this temple…. its members. The steadfast dedication and commitment of you is symbolized by the Shehecheyanu prayer.

You have kept our Temple alive, You have sustained its existence, and You have enabled us to reach this glorious day. Mazel Tov to All!

WELCOME FROM RABBI SUZANNE SINGER

Then David said, "Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel." (I Chronicles 22:1)

What is a Jewish community without a place of worship? A place to make God’s presence felt? King Solomon, David’s son and successor, built the first, magnificent Temple. It was destroyed by the Babylonians, rebuilt and destroyed again by the Romans. But we Jews never stopped building our Temples. No longer worshipping at the one Temple in Jerusalem, we have constructed Temples in our own communities in every corner of the world.

Our Temples serve three purposes. A Temple is a Beit Knesset – a house for the community to gather and share joy as well as sadness. It is a Beit Tefillah – a house of worship where we connect to God and express our deepest held values. And it is a Beit Midrash – a house of study where we explore the texts and values of our tradition.

The wonderful Temple Beth El founders who built our Temple had these very goals in mind. From the 1964 Dedication Book:

Beyond the bricks and mortar, this new edifice speaks to us. It speaks to us in accents of hope grounded in the way of life which we profess as Jews and to which we are pledged. We are not foundlings of history. We are the proud heirs of mankind’s deepest experience who have elected to be the everlasting keepers of God’s covenant and His Torah. We insist that this Temple speaks to us and admonishes us to remember always – that the basic reality in this world is the human being and that his dignity, integrity and freedom should serve as the highest goals of all social endeavor.

Some things have changed in 50 years. We no longer refer to women as Mrs. [husband’s name] the way the Dedication Book does. We have remodeled our Sanctuary to make it accessible to those using wheelchairs and to create a more intimate feeling during services. But we still have steps leading to the bima as we did in 1964. From the Dedication Book: “Beneath the Ark of Holiness are the steps of ascent which recall the Psalmic hymnody that picture man’s going up to the mountain of the Lord.” We also still have the, “Superb crown of the Ark of Holiness…a… Ner Tamid which acts as a peak to the mountainous sinaitic values in the Ark.” And we continue to uphold the values of Judaism in a community of dedicated congregants. I am honored to be the spiritual leader of this Temple at this important moment.

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WELCOME FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

I am proud to be the President of Temple Beth El. On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank all of those who through the years have contributed to the growth and continued success of our congregation. It was through the forethought and generosity of those individuals who saw the need 50 years ago for the Jewish community of Riverside to have a permanent home that we are able to celebrate today.

It is now the responsibility of the current membership to ensure that this legacy will remain vibrant for future generations. As our nation begins to emerge from an economic hardship not seen before in most of our lifetimes, we are determined to safeguard our heritage and ensure that Temple Beth El will continue to be the central location for the Jewish community of Riverside. I urge all of our congregants to treasure this institution and involve yourselves in the various programs being offered. For without our people, a building is just a building.

Shalom, Jerry F. Sturmer, President

Board of Directors 2014 Jerry Sturmer, President

Harry Freedman, Vice President/President Elect Tim Beld, Treasurer

Rusty Russell, Finance Lauri Fenton, Secretary

Jory Yarmoff, Past President Eric Lesser, Buildings & Grounds Jory Yarmoff, Religious Practices

Sandie Nelson, Religious Education

Diane Kwasman, Membership/Open Arms Lyn Yarmoff, Fund Development Sharyn Sherman, Youth Groups Kevin Akin, Social Action Paula Hermann, Sisterhood Aimee Perlstein, TBECDC Jason Winston, Communications Non-Voting Members: Suzanne Singer, Rabbi Robert Sirotnik, Cantor

Temple Beth El Staff Suzanne Singer, Rabbi

Robert Sirotnik, Cantor Elise Haton, Senior Administrator

Rabbi Suzanne Singer, Educator Carolee Jaspan, Melamedet

Susan Tenenbaum, Clergy Assistant Diane Eskritt, Secretary Daniel Mansfield, Custodian Trudy Oliver, Director, TBE Child Development Center

HISTORY OF TEMPLE BETH EL BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENTS Moses Harry Lerner 1942-1945 Irving Komorrow 1946-1947 Jack Bauman, First Temple President 1947-1948 Edward Harris 1948 Philip Kustner 1949-1950 Nathaniel Greenwood 1951-1952 Paul Briskin 1953-1954 Richard Brill 1954-1955 Irving Olsan 1956-1958 William Snow 1 958-1959 Barney Bauman 1959-1960 Bertram Eckmann 1960-1961 Richard Brill 1961-1962 Bertram Eckmann 1962-1965 David Goldware 1965-1967 Grace Brill 1967-1968

Burton Fohrman 1 968-1969 Jack Spitzer 1970-1971 Harris Kanel 1971-1972 Robert Jaspan 1972-1974 Boyd Briskin 1974-1976 Rhoda Bobb 1976-1977 Irving Richards 1977-1979 Andrew Granett 1979-1980 Loyal Keir 1980-1981 Sidney Lerner 1981-1982 William Becker 1982-1983 Lawrence Presser 1983 Judith Daniel 1983-1985 Barbara Sultan 1985-1986 Marvin Goffman 1986-1987 Irwin Wall 1987-1989 Neal Singer 1989-1991

Kerry Pendergast 1991-1993 Bill Oppenheim 1993-1994 Michael Goldware 1994-1995 Robert Jaspan 1995-1996 Elliott Luchs 1996-1997 Marge Congress 1997-1999 Judith Daniel 1999-2000 James Orens 2001-2002 Alan Stein 2003-2004 Rusty Russell 2005-2006 Jory Yarmoff 2007-2008 Kara Gilman 2009-2010 Jory Yarmoff 2011 Morris Maduro 2012-2013 Jerry Sturmer 2014 to present

RIVERSIDE TEMPLE BETH EL SISTERHOOD

Since its establishment in 1947, Sisterhood has played an important supportive role for Temple Beth El. The women who founded it were mostly stay-at-home moms who wanted the Temple to be a place of education, socialization and religious inspiration for themselves and their families. They did so by creating a Sunday School for their children, providing onegs after Sabbath and Holiday services and social events for its members. The planned construction of a new Temple was the impetus for greater fund raising efforts. Annual rummage sales and craft fairs helped finance its construction and supply the new kitchen. Later events like the Tour of Living Judaism and Sarah’s Kitchen encouraged community support. Creation of a gift shop and non-sectarian nursery school came soon after.

Much has changed in the intervening five decades. Now many of our members are working wives and mothers or retirees. However, Sisterhood has continued its traditional roles of supporting the Temple’s religious life through a variety of actions, such as weekly onegs, gifts for b’nai mitzvah and break-the-fast refreshments along with annual financial donations to the General Fund. All made possible by the women who support the Sisterhood of Temple Beth El.

Our thanks go to all the past and present Sisterhood members whose contributions of time and effort have so enriched our lives as Temple members.

Temple Beth El SISTERHOOD PRESIDENTS

Esther Bauman 1947-1948 Chick Reznick 1948-1950 Gertrude Bauman 1950-1951 Sylvia Einzig 1951-1952 Sarah Greenwood 1952-1953 Grace Brill 1953-1954 Rose Rosen 1954-1955 Ruth Landis 1955-1956 Chick Reznick 1956-1958 Claire Sugarman 1958-1960 Gertrude Bauman 1960-1962 Evelyn Steingone 1962-1964 Rhoda Alpert 1964-1965 Nettie Bellen 1965-1966 Sylvia Briskin 1966-1967 Jeanette Freedman 1967-1968 Joyce Reikes 1968-1969 Pearl Barnett 1969-1970

Rosalie Silverglate 1970-1971 Lee Eckmann 1971-1972 Anita Baumoel 1972-1973 Pearl Barnett 1973-1974 Bobbe Scher 1974-1975 Margy Lawrence and Rochelle Chamberlin 1975-1976 Erica Duenes and Sue Gerson 1976-1977 Chick Reznick and Barbara Friedman 1977-1978 Barbara Huff 1978-1979 Ann Garnett 1979-1980 Barbara Sultan 1980-1981 Jennie Greenberg 1981-1982 Judith Daniel 1982-1985 Jennie Greenberg 1985-1987 Lou Fithian 1987 Mariella Goldstein 1987-1989

Selma Kardos and Mona Katz 1989-1990 Mariella Goldstein and Esther Valdez 1990-1993 Freda Oppenheim 1993-1994 Marlene Picone 1994-1995 Roberta Collen 1995-1996 Judith Daniel 1996-1997 Roslyn Jones 1997-1998 Sandy Tarmo 1998-1999 Aime Birnbaum 2000-2001 Shoshana Goren 2002-2003 Lore Magnus and Susan Tenenbaum 2003-2005 Diane Kwasman 2005-2007 Karen Youngerman 2008-2010 Lore Magnus and Susan Tenenbaum 2011-2013 Christine Leapman 2014

(l to r) Mrs. Boyd Briskin and Mrs. Martin Brown, co-authors of The Care and Feeding of Jewish Husbands, never tire of sampling husband-tested recipes.

Sisterhood members (l to r) Mrs. David Goldware, Mrs. Nat Greenwood and Mrs. Jules Barnat model fashions to be featured at TBE's Fashion Around the Clock.

Christine Leapman, Sisterhood President

History of Temple Beth El Rabbinic, Cantor/Cantorial Soloist,

and Administrative Leadership

Rabbinic Leadership Bernard Zeiger 1947-1960 Henry Tavel 1960-1964 Harry Sherer 1964-1967 Solomo Kleinman 1969-1971 Philip Posner 1971-1989 Martin Weitz 1989-1992 (during Rabbi Posner’s sabbatical) Philip Posner 1993-1994 Rick Harkavy 1995-2000 Frank Stern (Interim) 2000-2001 Harold Caminker 2001-2005 Suzanne Singer (Interim) 2005 Jill Zimmerman (Student) 2005 Yitzhak Miller 2006-2007 Suzanne Singer 2008-present

Cantors/Cantorial Soloists Lawrence Finkel 1947-1953 Dr. Sam Resnick 1971 Robert Sirotnik 1972-1993 Sharon Omens 1993-1995 Robert Sirotnik 1995- present Administrator Elise Haton 1999-present

Excerpts from note by Rabbi Philip M. Posner, DD, DHL, June 2014

In memory of so many who enriched the life of TBE, and in gratitude for all those whose lives touched mine as their rabbi and friend.

Having had the honor of being Beth El’s longest serving rabbi, 23 years, I am especially filled with memories of so many of you who I worked with, delighted in, occasionally fought with, taught and studied with, married, b. mitzvahd, confirmed, buried, and served in so many interesting and special ways. All your names are too numerous to state. I can only hope that you know who you are and how our lives touched and are the better for that connection. And if that betterment is lacking for any reason caused by my failures or actions, I hope time has forged a forgiving heart.

I shall mention one name. Marion Kober who when I arrived in 1971 was the Temple librarian. A few months before she died she said to me: “Rabbi Posner, you will never know how many lives you touched as our rabbi.”

Talented and hard-working Rabbi Suzanne, Cantor Bob, Elise, and Carolee, and so many of you, “you will never know how many lives you touched” with the qualities of your individuality that contributed to and preserve the life of Riverside California’s vibrant Reform Temple. And that is why it is so important and wonderful that you are celebrating fifty years, and your history, as a congregation.

I am grateful for my connections with Temple Beth El of Riverside – past, present and future. Thinking of you now from afar will have to suffice – a fair expression of loyal affection - as I wish the members of my old congregation much shalom.

Members of Temple Beth El since or before 1964

Margie Akin Rosalie Silverglate Anderson Boyd and Sylvia Briskin Suzanne and Werner Coppel Bert and Lee Eckmann Family – Martha, Kenneth, David and Carol Eugene Elkin Arnie and Ruth Geller Bauman Family – Diana Bauman Goldman, Marjorie Bauman, Esther Bauman and Arleen Blum David and June Goldware Family – Nick, Michael and Rebeccah Helen Gropen and Elissa Gropen Harry Freedman

Family of Harris Kanel – Anita Kanel Selma Kardos Mona Katz Philip and Rae Kustner Family – Owen and Sari Kustner Ruth Landis and Rick Landis Howard Leavitt Alice Marks and Debbie Hodges Richard MacHott Herb Metsch Barbara Pendergast Bobbe' Scher Wilford and Sarah Sklar family – Teri Sklar Jamie Weiss and Herb Spiegel (dear friend)

Recollections from TBE’s Original Members

Rosalie Silverglate Anderson on the importance of the new Temple to our family: For comments on the importance of the new Temple to our family, I polled my kids and heard remembrances of the Rubidoux dentists (Bob and Leonard) conducting services when Rabbi Posner was on vacation. They were also proud of their Grandmother’s artistic contributions to the Temple. What I recall is the sense of family that we had when we gathered for High Holidays. The Jaspans were seated in front of us and the Gellers and Kanels were in the two rows behind us. It was a wonderful opportunity annually to note the kids’ growth and catch up on events. We shared pride in the new Temple Beth El and how it molded us as a congregation. However, many of us (even my kids) recall with fondness the old Temple on 12th Street and the memories it had for us. I hope that our congregants now share that sense of family.

From Suzanne Coppel: Werner and I remember walking into this beautiful edifice and how proud we were of Temple Beth El and still are. The Sisterhood had a luncheon meeting once a month and we happily took turns working and cooking. It was a pleasure to be involved with ladies like Rae Kustner, Chick Reznick, Gert Bauman and Lee Eckmann, and a bit later with Blanche Ginsberg and Syde Geller and countless others. They were dedicated workers and an excellent influence. We took our sons, Gary and Steven, to Hebrew and Sunday School every week. We vividly recall their Bar Mitzvahs and Conformations. No matter how many Rabbis came and went, we always belonged to this Jewish community. We finally have a wonderful, caring, hard-working and dedicated Rabbi in Suzanne Singer. She is beautiful inside and out. Hit the jackpot when we hired her and we all love her.

Gary Coppel’s Bar Mitzvah 1968 Front row: Steven Coppel, Gary Coppel, Toni Coppel Lane Second row: Suzanne Coppel, Werner Coppel, Herbert Lane

From The Children of Lee and Bert Eckmann: Temple Beth El – For the Eckmann kids it has been one of the pillars of our Jewish identity, intrinsic to our definition of “home” and “family”. The anticipation of going to Friday night services, with parents and Grandma Rose, seeing our friends of all ages – people who have followed us all our lives and whom we still hold dear from afar. Youth group and confirmations and Seders and bagel-and-lox brunches and all the activities which helped to solidify the meaning of Judaism in our lives.

It was a place where we combined learning and understanding and friendship and collaboration with music, always music; singing for and with the congregation. We especially remember the commitment and involvement of our parents in Temple life. Temple Beth El was part of the heart of our family – and it still is.

From Ruth Geller: MAZEL TOV on the 50th Anniversary of our Temple Beth El Sanctuary So many memories of our time in this wonderful community… From our first weekend in Riverside in 1961 with two little boys, we called the temple and were told there was a party at the home of Rabbi Tavel. We claimed we could not come with two small children, but the Rabbi insisted we bring them and we met our first friends including Rosalie and Leonard Silverglate and many others. When our daughter Karen was born the ladies of sisterhood helped host her baby naming in the old synagogue on 12 St. Rae Kustner, Gertrude Bauman and many others helped put together a lovely celebration. In 1964 Bert Eckmann, Hy Rosen, David Goldware, Alan Nixen, Irving Olsan, Boyd Briskin and Richard Brill saw the new temple become a reality. Though young and relatively new, we were honored to be part of the Founders. Through the years there have been so many memorable times. Karen was in the first class of TBE Nursery School with teacher Irene Rubin-Gordon, Mark and Karen celebrated becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah, all three becoming confirmed and active in the temple youth groups. We are so grateful that the community welcomed our parents. My mother, Blanche Ginsberg, ran the gift shop with Inez Neiman and Sam Zahler. She was welcomed and included by the temple founders including Rae Kustner, Edna Olsan and Chick Reznick. Arnie’s parents, Syde and Sol Geller, also became an integral part of this temple and enjoyed their many years here. Arnie and I have enjoyed the many functions, celebrations and committees we have served. We thank so many friends who have been with us through happy and difficult times. We were blessed to have our family together in this very special community. We wish many more years of success to Temple Beth El with its wonderful Rabbi Suzanne Singer and Cantor Robert Sirotnik.

From the Kanel Family: Through all the years of raising a family in Riverside, Temple Beth El and the people at TBE were an integral part of our lives. Our family developed our Jewish identity through our involvement at Temple Beth El.

Harris Kanel, Anita Kanel, Lucy Weinberg, Elliott Weinberg 1964

From Karen Geller Kohut: I was 2 years old when Temple Beth El was dedicated in 1964 and in the 70s I was enrolled in the Sunday School. My family lived close enough to Temple so that on the Jewish High Holidays our family and other Jewish families in the neighborhood would walk back and forth to Temple between the lengthy services. On Rosh Hashanah, there was a children’s program, and we would be called in to hear the Shofar. I remember seeing the “Royce Roy” as my Grandma Blanche called it - Edna and Irving Olsan’s Rolls Royce - parked near the front of the parking lot.

Nettie and Carl Bellen and Rosalie and Leonard Silverglate helped at Purim Carnival where I dressed up as one of the many Queen Esthers. My favorite stop was a booth that had a mirror and a bowl of Avon sample lipsticks. TBE’s annual Lox and Bagel Brunch had a huge turnout and I can still remember the Kardoses and the Schers at the Brunch.

The Temple Beth El gift shop was a favorite! After Sunday School we would buy a treat of chocolate or gum in gold foil coin wrappers imported from Israel. In the 70s and early 1980s I had a special connection because my Grandma Blanche ran the gift shop.

Grandma Blanche had a group of Temple lady friends - Leona Kustner, Rae Kustner, Chick Reznick, Edna Olsan, Nettie Bellen and Lucy Ashwal to name just a few - who played cards and supported Temple functions. My Grandma Syde played Mahjongg with Norma Glick, Susie Coppel and Lucy Ashwal, and my Grandfather Sol had the nickname Sunshine Sol because he was so upbeat.

Rabbi Posner and Cantor and Barbara Sirotnik officiated at my wedding with James Kohut in 1988, and they were present at my Bat Mitzvah in 1975 as well. That Bat Mitzvah was pivotal in my life because I saw that I could do things my older brothers, Mark and Gordon, did ahead of me. It gave me the confidence to go to UC San Diego and Mount Sinai Medical School.

From Owen and Sari Kustner: When reflecting about TBE for the past 50 years and beyond, we recall the emphasis on community. From Owen: I think of the families’ who opened their homes for Jewish Servicemen during WWII. The families wanted a Temple in Riverside and started one in a small house in downtown Riverside. I remember endless conversations at our dinner table about the Temple when my father, Phil Kustner, served a two year term as Temple President. The discussion always centered around the need for a Jewish place to meet. The commitment my Mom and Dad showed was not necessarily for the religious focus but for a place to meet. All of the families are gone now, but I remember them. From Sari: Our new desirable location set the stage for numerous events in which Temple members made positive impressions on the Riverside non- Jewish community. One example is Sara’s Kitchen, in which Rae Kustner, and a cadre of expert cooks in the late seventies and early eighties provided Jewish fare ….blintzes, cabbage rolls, challah, bagels, etc. Pre-orders were available and popular with Riverside businesses. Another way in which the community learned about Jewish life in the seventies was the Tour of Living Judaism, during which temple members explained traditional Jewish holidays at congregant homes and the Temple. Recognizing our Temple’s importance in the Riverside area, I greatly appreciate those who have promoted it throughout its existence.

Excerpts from Rabbi Hillel Cohn’s Remarks - 50th Anniversary Shabbat service, June 13, 2014 It is a real honor and pleasure to mark the 50th anniversary of the dedication of this building in which you have worshipped, studied, been enriched spiritually, and motivated to contribute to the betterment of the community and world. I was tempted to join the group who were invited to come to the bema at the beginning of tonight’s service since I, too, was in attendance at the dedication of this building fifty years ago. I bring you greetings tonight from your sister congregation, Congregation Emanu El, for a long time the synagogue in San Bernardino but now, for the last four years, relocated to Redlands. In actuality my congregation is not really a “sister” congregation but rather a “mother” congregation. For you see, for many, many decades Congregation Emanu El was the only congregation between Pasadena and Phoenix and until the 1940’s the Jews of Riverside were part of our congregation. It was in the 1940’s that some of the members of our congregation - among them Moe Lerner, Irving Olsan, Charlie Ross and others - were encouraged to form a congregation here in Riverside. And they did just that. So, my congregation is really your “parent” and as a proud parent we take pride on what you have accomplished over the course of your history and are even more impressed with that you have achieved and are continuing to achieve under the wonderful leadership of my dear friend Rabbi Singer. I want to share with you excerpts from two prayers written by two eminent leaders of the liberal Jewish movement - Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn and the Honorable Lily H. Montagu, a great leader of liberal Judaism in Great Britain: Our God and God of our ancestors: We come before You gratefully and humbly on this anniversary of this synagogue building. We are thankful for so much. For the vision and courage of those intrepid men and women who foresaw the need for such a congregation as this and the possibility of its growth. For the devotion and strength of those whose leadership and labor through the years have brought the dream of the founders of this congregation to abundant fulfillment. For the generous support of all who have provided the sinews and substance without which the achievement of constructing this building would not have been possible. Grateful for the accomplishment of the past, we pray that in the future too the leaders and members of this congregation may continue to merit the success which can only come through Your blessing. May the ties between the rabbi and people be deepened and strengthened. And may love unite all who are part of this congregation more firmly: the love of each other here, the love of our fellow-Jews everywhere; the love of all humanity; and above and beyond all that, O God, the deathless love of You. Grant that those who come to worship here may come in a spirit of humility and filled with a love for a living Judaism. May they find here consolation at times of trouble, courage and hope when in doubt or difficulty, and when in joy, the consecration of their happiness. Let the men and women, young people and children who gather here in sincerity in ever greater numbers, receive Your instruction through study and service, and strive to share Your divine light with all seekers. Place Your blessing, we pray, on the rabbi of this synagogue, and on all who come to work with her for the welfare of its members and for all people. Amen.

Temple Beth El Bingo

Jerry Rachman

All temples and synagogues have the same problem: not enough income from fundraisers. In Fall 1978, Temple Beth El president, Loyal Keir, came to the Young Couples Club looking for young guys to start a bingo fundraiser. There was not much interest. A few of us said we would check it out. I was the gopher. A friend of mine worked at the St. Catherine’s bingo and he introduced me to the manager, Don. With Don’s assistance, I learned how to run a bingo game.

Irwin Feilas and I went to the Board meeting in January 1979 to propose that TBE start its own bingo game. We were met with much resistance. The board members said that TBE congregants won’t play bingo. I told them that bingo was played by people from the community and not our members. They had no idea. They voted it down. Neal Singer, TBE’s treasurer, came to me and said to proceed with a bingo game as there was no other fundraising going on at TBE. He said I had to spend as little money as possible. Thus, with a $3,000 budget to get bingo rolling, Bingo became a Thursday night institution at Temple Beth El. We had a good group of volunteers and Sisterhood ran the kitchen. Rhoda Bobb was the first cashier and Charlie Berliner was the “caller.” For 23 years, TBE Bingo ran every Thursday evening with the exception of holidays. Most Temple members hated the Bingo sign on the corner of Central and Victoria, but the fact was that over the years, TBE Bingo raised $1,000,000 for the synagogue! This money helped to balance the yearly budgets, build the preschool building, redo the roof and ceiling, purchase the banquet tables and many other projects. I ran Bingo for the first 13 years, then Jean Hallac and Mark Sultan ran it for three years. Sandy Rachman ran the game until we decided to close it in February 2002. Our players started going to the Indian casinos, and we couldn’t compete. There were many volunteers throughout the years who made TBE Bingo so successful. I will not try to list them all because I’m sure I’ll forget someone. However, I have to note two volunteers who worked all 23 years – Heshy Glick and Sandy Rachman. b i n g o b3 b i n g o i15 b i n g o n23 b i n g o g36 b i n g o o51

A History of Temple Beth El 50th Anniversary of the 2675 Central Avenue Building

The Jews in Riverside 1870’s - 1936

Some of the information that follows is derived from Barney Bauman’s history written in 1989 for the 25th anniversary. This information is designated with an asterisk (*).

Nathan and Fanny Bauman, along with Baby Jack arrived here in 1907, bringing their worldly possessions with them in a horse-drawn wagon. Barney, brother Harry, and sister Sara were all born in Riverside. Barney passed away in 2001 and his wife Gertrude passed away in 2007.

1872: Walter Lyon and Julius Rosenthal, perhaps the first Jews in Riverside, opened a general store. Later Rosenthal developed a domestic water system for the city. 1870s to 1940s: There were many Jews living in the area practicing their Judaism in their homes or relying on San Bernardino’s Congregation Emanu El, which started in the 1850s. *1931: The Riverside Jewish Welfare, the first enduring Jewish organization in Riverside, was formed by the women under the leadership of Mrs. (Esther) Lerner. *1936: The second Jewish organization, Riverside Lodge 1221, of the B'nai B'rith, was installed. These two organizations held meetings in the American Legion building in Fairmount Park, in private homes and in a hall in the Grout Building at Seventh and Main Streets.

Jewish Community 1940s - 1961

*During World War II: The influx of both military and civilian personnel to March Air Base, Camp Haan, and the Port of Embarkation known as Camp Anza brought new obligations to the less than twenty active families. Seders were prepared and served to more than three hundred soldiers. Housing was found and residents’ homes were used for service men's weddings and social events. *1942: The Jewish Welfare Board was formed to provide comfort and support to Jewish servicemen. Also a children’s religious school was organized by a small group of mothers. *November 22, 1944: Moe Lerner called together Jack & Esther Bauman, Barney and Gertrude Bauman, Albert and Leona Colten, Irving and Sophie Komorrow, and William and Ruth Sklar. Together they formed a corporation known as the Riverside Jewish Community Center. A charter was issued with 21 members. Subsequently the corporation purchased the former Immaculate Lutheran Church on 12th Street near Lemon Street to use as a synagogue. The price was $5,000.

1945: The first High Holidays were celebrated at the new 12th Street location. *1947: Riverside Jewish Community Center was dissolved and Temple Beth El was formed. Jack Bauman was elected the first president of the Temple. The State of California issued the charter for Temple Beth El. The first Temple Bulletin was published with Nat Greenwood as editor. Dues were reduced to $25 per year to attract more members.

1947-1960: Rabbi Bernard Zeiger became Temple Beth El’s first rabbi. 1947-1954: Cantor Lawrence Finkel, Temple Beth El’s first Cantor, was a volunteer and never missed a service. He also owned a delicatessen and liquor store in Riverside. *1948: Temple membership reached 54 families with a planned budget of $6,700. The first class of Confirmands was graduated. *1949: Philip Kustner was Board President. Dues were raised from $25 to $60 a year. Irving Olsan was appointed to search for a new site for the Temple. Temple Beth El became a member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC).

*1950: The remodeling of the 12th Street Temple began. The steeple was removed from the front of the building, a portico erected, and new front doors were installed. The building was extended 30 feet to the alley, with two classrooms upstairs, and a classroom and kitchen downstairs. The Sisterhood completely furnished the new kitchen. *1951-1952: Nat Greenwood was Board President. The families of Paul Briskin, Charles Ross, Philip Kustner, Hy Rosen, Winfield Clark and Irving Olsan held fundraisers in their homes as financial problems dominated. *1953: Paul Briskin was Board President. His first act was to establish a nonboard financial advisory committee, consisting of Charles Ross, Hy Rosen and Irving Olsan. The committee recommended an increase of dues. The Youth Group was reorganized and became affiliated with the Southern California Federation of Temple Youth. 1955: Temple membership reached 100 families. 1955-1960: John Ulrich served as lay Cantor. 1956-1958: Irving Olsen was Board President. The future site for a proposed new building was approved. The TBE cemetery was established. 1958-1959: William Snow was Board President. 1960-1964: Rabbi Henry Tavel served as our rabbi. 1959-1961: Barney Bauman was Board President. 1960: TBE established its Hebrew School. One of the last Bar Mitzvahs (Nick Goldware’s) was held in the 12th Street location. 1961: Registration in the Religious School reached 100 children.

A New Building 1960s – Present

1961: Following a difficult zoning fight, the congregation purchased the present site at Victoria and Central Avenue. 1961-1962: Richard Brill was Board President. 1962-1965: Dr. Bertram Eckmann was Board President. 1963: On September 15, ground was broken for the construction of the present building. 1963: A small group of Temple members agreed to build a religious school wing. 1964: On June 12, the first religious services were held in the new building. 1965: On March 7, Temple Beth El’s new building was formally dedicated. 1965: Temple Beth El Nursery School was established. 1964-1967: Rabbi Harry Sherer served as our rabbi. 1965-1967: David Goldware was Board President. 1967-1968: Grace Brill was Board President. 1968-1969: Burton Fohrman was Board President. 1969-1971: Rabbi Solomon Kleinman served as our interim rabbi. 1970-1971: Jack Spitzer was Board President. 1971: Lay-Cantor Dr. Sam Resnick, served as our interim cantor. 1971-1972: Dr. Harris Kanel was Board President. 1971-1994: Rabbi Philip Posner served as our rabbi. 1972-1974: Dr. Robert Jaspan was Board President. He was president when Cantor Robert Sirotnik (a dental student at the time) was hired. When Dr. Sirotnik graduated dental school, he joined Leonard Silverglate’s dental practice. 1972-1993: Cantor Dr. Robert Sirotnik served as our cantor. Mid 1970s: Lay Rabbi Loyal Keir and lay Cantor Herb Broh led Shabbat morning services.

1974-1976: Boyd Briskin was Board President. 1976: Temple Beth El formed a choir with Cantor Robert and Barbara Sirotnik, Sandy Tarmo, and Carolee Jaspan. 1976-1977: Rhoda Bobb was Board President. The congregation was divided regarding the Rabbi’s contract. 1977-1979: Irving Richards was Board President. TBE sponsored its first Russian immigrant family, and hired its first paid youth adviser and a part time bookkeeper. Jerry Rachman organized TBE’s weekly Bingo for the first time as a fundraiser. Permanent seats in the sanctuary were sold. 1979-1980: Dr. Andrew Granett was Board President. The major accomplishments of his term were … “getting through the year without the Rabbi quitting, the building collapsing, or too many more people leaving.” 1980-1981: Loyal Keir was Board President. 1981-1982: Sidney Lerner was Board President. Carolee Jaspan became TBE’s Melamedet and her first student became a Bar Mitzvah. 1981-present: Carolee Jaspan served, and continues to serve as our volunteer Melamedet. 1982-1983: William Becker was Board President. 1983: Lawrence Presser was Board President. 1983-1985: Judith Daniel was Board President. 1985-1986: Barbara Sultan was Board President. 1986-1987: Marvin Goffman was Board President. 1987-1989: Irwin Wall was Board President. The asbestos ceiling was replaced at cost of $125,000. 1989: The congregation celebrated The Silver Anniversary of the present building with a gala dinner dance. 1989-1991: Neal Singer was Board President. The congregation examined issues regarding the “Jewishness” of some rabbinical practices -- allowing non-Jews to participate in services, stand on the Bima, and read from or touch the Torah. Other issues included burial of non-Jews (mainly spouses) in the Jewish section of the cemetery, and listing of names of non-Jews on memorial tablets in the Sanctuary. 1991-1993: Kerry Pendergast was Board President. 1993-1994: Bill Oppenheim was Board President. A new air conditioning system was installed and the roof was replaced. The Office was expanded and the Jaspan Lounge was remodeled. TBE took over The Nursery School and received a grant to upgrade and redo the children's playground. 1993-1995: Cantor Sharon Omens served as our cantor. 1994-1995: Michael Goldware was Board President. 1995 to present: Cantor Dr. Robert Sirotnik returned and continues to serve as our cantor. 1995-1996: Dr. Robert Jaspan was Board President. 1995-2000: Rabbi Richard Harkavy served as our rabbi. 1996-1997: Elliott Luchs was Board President. It was a difficult time with lawsuits involving the rabbi, as well as financial issues that resulted in layoffs, closing the office a few days per week and closing religious school early. 1997-1999: Marge Congress was Board President. It was a very tumultuous time at the temple. 1999-2000: Judith Daniel was Board President. 1999-present: Elise Haton was hired as the full-time Administrator of TBE. 2000-2001: Rabbi Frank Stern served as our interim rabbi. 2001-2005: Rabbi Harold Caminker served as our rabbi. 2001: September. Following the 9/11 attacks, Rabbi Caminker, Mayor Ron Loveridge and other civic and religious leaders, held a citywide rally at Riverside City Hall.

2001-2002: Dr. James Orens was Board President. Tumultuous times continued at the temple regarding rabbis. 2003-2004: Alan Stein was Board President. TBE started earning income from the cell tower. 2005: Rabbi Suzanne Singer served as our interim rabbi. Jill Zimmerman was our student rabbi. 2005-2006: Raymond Russell was Board President. As TBE President, he was the first to meet and then hire Rabbi Suzanne Singer who then served as our Interim Rabbi from July through December 2005. She was immensely popular and at the end of her stay, a large numbers of congregants submitted a petition to the Board asking us to find a way to hire her as our permanent Rabbi. 2006-2007: Rabbi Yitzhak Miller served as our rabbi. He introduced lunches after Religious School for the students and their families. 2007-2008: Jory Yarmoff was Board President. 2008: Singer songstress Debbie Friedman performed at TBE to a sold out house. 2008 to present: Rabbi Suzanne Singer was hired and continues to serve as our rabbi. 2008: The Temple organized a Jewish Cultural Faire at the Riverside Plaza. 2009-2010: Kara Gilman was Board President. 2009: On three occasions a small group of neo-Nazis demonstrated in front of our Temple while congregants came to worship. The week following the first demonstration, 300 community supporters, including Riverside’s mayor, pastors and members of local churches, and representatives from the Islamic Center, filled the synagogue to celebrate Simchat Torah in the name of solidarity. 2010: Rabbi Singer was installed as our rabbi. 2011-2012: Jory Yarmoff was Board President. 2012-2013: Morris Maduro was Board President. Construction of the Bimah renovation began. 2014-Present: Jerry Sturmer is Board President. 2014: June 13, Temple Beth El celebrates its official 50th Anniversary with a special Shabbat Service and Oneg. 2014: Bima and sanctuary renovations are completed with new seating, handicap access to the Bima and new carpeting. 2014: September 7, the Open Arms Committee organizes a Jewish Cultural Faire at the synagogue. 2014: October 11, the congregation celebrates the 50th anniversary in our building with a Golden Anniversary Gala. 2014-2039: Stay tuned! NOTE FROM THE TRIBUTE BOOK SUB COMMITTEE: We consider this a living document that continues after tonight’s Gala. Should you have points of historic significance to add, please send to judy.lehr@gmail.com.

2013 new members

B’nai B’rith Riverside Lodge 1221 Past Presidents

1936-1937 Moe H. Lerner 1938 Irving Komorow 1939 Jack Bauman 1940 Philip Kustner 1941 Barney Bauman 1943 William Sklar 1944 Hyman Rosen 1945 Edward Harris 1946-1947 Paul Briskin 1948 Norvin Sederholm 1949 Nat Greenwood 1950 Wilford H. Sklar 1951 Paul Briskin 1952 Samuel Robinovitz 1953 George Anthony 1954 David Ramek 1955 Robert H. Herman 1956 Edward H. Rubin 1957 David Goldware 1958 Robert H. Tarr 1959 Irwin Weinberger 1960 Martin A. Alpert 1961 Irving Swirsky 1962 Morris Garber 1963 Kenneth Reifman 1964 William Lazaroff

1965 Sam Kopulsky 1966 Hal Rubak 1967-1968 Barney Bauman Charles Ross (honorary title for long service as Treasurer) 1969 Henri Sinasohn 1970 Solomon H. Turkel 1971 Eugene Elkin 1972 Arthur J. Schechter 1973-1974 David Mains 1975 Wilford H. Sklar 1976-1978 Chuck Harris 1978-1980 Julius Scher 1980-1982 Kermit Baumoel 1982-1984 Harold Glick 1984-1986 Mark Krakower 1986 Jerry Rachman 1987 Mark Krakower 1988-1990 William Oppenheimer 1990 Al Hallac 1991-1993 Tim Beld 1993 Sam Zahler 1994-1996 Sidney Cohnen 1996 Harold Glick 1997-1998 Eugene Elkin 1999 Mark Krakower 2001 Gary Rosenfeld

Excerpts from comments of The Honorable Mark Takano, United States House of Representatives,

to the congregation at the 50th Anniversary Shabbat Service Friday, June 13, 2014

Near the end of WWII, the Riverside Jewish Community was formed and they purchased a building for only $5,000. In the early 60s, the group had outgrown that building and begun fundraising for a new location. We stand now in that location, fifty years to the day these doors opened to the community for the first time.

The $200,000 raised in the beginning of the sixties funded the construction of Temple Beth El, which in the last fifty years quickly became an unwavering institution in our community, as vibrant and strong as it was since these doors first opened.

I’m sure that those who were here fifty years ago when the High Holy Day services were first held in this space, when five hundred people filled the Sanctuary and into the social hall, knew that this Temple will not only last for fifty years, but for decades more to come. Temple Beth El has not only persisted, it has thrived. In these fifty years, Temple Beth El has grown from the couple dozen families to the over 200 families today—a testament to the strength and importance this institution commands.

The recent remodel of the sanctuary represents the ongoing evolution of the Jewish community here in Riverside, as well as the inclusivity this congregation strives for. Accessibility and openness are some of the qualities that come to mind when I think of Temple Beth El and this congregation. I know these qualities hold true as you all have so graciously welcomed me into the space I’m sure many of you consider a second home.

You all make this expansive 8,000 square foot space feel much smaller and tighter than the space itself is; a true manifestation of community and solidarity.

The Jewish community in Riverside has not only grown in the last fifty years, but has prospered. Without this community, Riverside would surely not be as great as it is today.

Once again, thank you for inviting me, and welcoming me here to celebrate this momentous occasion with you all. I look forward to seeing Temple Beth El thrive for many more years to come.

1964… WHAT A YEAR!!!

A movie ticket cost $1.25 and a postage stamp 5 cents.

Diet Pepsi was introduced and Arby's opened.

New York City hosted the World's Fair and opened the

Verrazano Narrows, the world's longest suspension bridge.

Martin Luther King Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Color television made its way into our homes.

Jeopardy! debuted on television.

The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton married (each other) for the first time.

Barbra Streisand's People album hit #1 for five weeks.

Goldfinger premiered at the movies & Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway.

Peggy Fleming won the US female Figure Skating championship.

Sandy Koufax threw his 9th complete game without allowing a walk,

and was the 1st pitcher to strike out the side in 9 pitches.

Abebe Bikila ran an Olympic/World record marathon in 2:12:11.2.

Rusty Russell & Bill Oppenheim graduated from North Miami Senior

High School… AND,

Temple Beth El opened its doors on Central Avenue.

Congratulations on this Golden Anniversary!!

With great affection,

Rusty Russell and Judy Lehr

This is Now

This was Then!

We thank all those who went before and made Temple Beth El a reality. We wish all present and future members of Temple Beth El lives of health and joy.

Paul 1984 Lisa 1977 Marc 1987

Individually,  tasks  become  difficult  and  some mes  impossible.  But  working  together  as  a  team,  se ng  goals  and  keeping  focused,  almost  anything  is  possible.

To  the  founders,  THANK  YOU  for  your  vision  and  dreaming  of  a  

Jewish        facility  for  our  region;  to  those  who  con nue  to  carry  on  

tradi ons,        CONGRATULATIONS  on  this  milestone.  We  know  it  is  

challenging  to  carry  on  a  dream  of  someone  else  is  o en  more  

difficult  than  to  create  our  own;  to  the  children  in  religious  

school—BLESS  YOU—you  have  been        given  a  treat,  a  miracle  of  

sorts,  a  blessing,  a  structure,  a  founda on.  .  .    

Now  it  is  up  to  all  who  are  able  to  CONTINUE  the  vision  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

Keep  Judaism  alive.

Best Wishes from Anita Kanel and Family:Renee and Jeff Kanel,

David Kanel,Laura and Chris Boily

Back row: Shauna Kanel, Jason Kanel, Laura Kanel Boily, Julie Kanel, DavidKanel, Chris Boily, Naomi Kanel. Front row: Je! Kanel, Anita Kanel, Harris

Kanel, Renee Kanel, Joshua Kanel

M a y t h e c o n g r e g a t i o ng o f r o m s t r e n g t h t o s t r e n g t h

w i t h j o y a n d m a z e l

T h e H a yd u - M a r m o r F a m i l yJ o e , B a r b a r a , J o n a t h a n a n d M i r a

“Ask not what your Temple can do for you; ask what you can do for your Temple.”

Over the past 50 years, there have been countless men and women who have brought this ideal to life at

Temple Beth El: Barney & Gertrude Bauman, Bert & Lee Eckmann and Robert & Carolee Jaspan, to name a few.

May our wonderful Temple Beth El continue to inspire a new generation of service over the next 50 years!

Max and Susan Tenenbaum and Family

To our wonderful synagogue, Temple Beth El, we wish a glorious Golden Anniversary. We chose to come to this temple over 20 years ago and have made i t our second home. Here's to Temple Beth El's next 50 years!

Jory, Lyn and Jessie Yarmoff

Congratulations toTemple Beth El onyour Golden Anniversary

In Memory of 1964 TBE members Ruth Kleiger

Lawrence B. Kleiger Ellen Kleiger

MEMORY IS A BLESSING

With love from Kevin Akin and

Margie Akin (1964 member)

May you continue

to be a

House of God

and Godliness

Rabbi hillel & Rita cohn

congregation emanu el

May the next half century be spiritually enlightening and filled with social awareness – and may all members experience much

happiness and good health!

Irv and Regina

Richards

Congratulations

And congratulations from …

Father Louis Abdoo, I.M.C Loraine Alberga Steve & Sandy Cohen Lynn & Anne Craven Barbara & Gary Droutman Gene Elkin Lauri & Marc Fenton Jerry & Susan Gordon Albert & Jean Hallac Haus Family Ron, Paula, & Rachael Hermann Sheila Jahn Bernie, Mona & Gary Katz David & Judy Kronenfeld Mitch & Debbie Lavine

Jim, Lois & Katie Lipow Lynn Lipscomb Sally & Larry Loeb Morris, Gina, & Rena Maduro Bernd & Lore Magnus Jean Mains Eliud & Elisse Martinez Parsi Family The Pasternak/Manges Families Families of Bill & Brenda Oppenheim 3 Generations of Price/Schwitzgebels Bob & Ingrid Rosenbaum & Family Carol & Jeremy Samsky Marilyn Schechtman & Family

Fern Shanklin & Families Neal & Monica Singer Irmy Tilton Family Judy Treiber & Family Myrna & Bernie Waltzer Gayle & Duncan Webb Doris & Oscar Weingart

From the Temple Beth El dedication booklet (March 7, 1965)

On behalf of the Golden Anniversary Gala Committee…

We wish to thank our Golden Sponsors: Michael and Donna Goldware Nicholas and Susan Goldware

Carolee and Robby Jaspan Rusty Russell and Judy Lehr

We toast Sandy and Marty Tarmo, and Judy Lehr and Rusty Russell

for providing us with the commemorative wine glasses.

Please support those advertisers who so generously support Temple Beth El: Riverside Insurance Agency, Tim Beld

Interstate Air Quality, Inc. Tonkin Plumbing, Phillip Tonkin

The Community Foundation Mario’s Place, Leone Palagi

Dan Hantman, Attorney at Law Isabella's Cupcakes & More

New York Pizzeria, Robert Gillis Monark Asian Bistro, Karen Chen

Belfor Property Restoration, Mitch Lavine Carns Rooter Inc., Bernie Garcia

Custom Sewing & Alterations, Josephine Needleman Hasco Heating Airconditioning Service Company, Inc., Sal Trujillo, Jr.

Pediatric Medical Group, Alan Kwasman, M.D. Rhythm Entertainment. Alan Greenstein

Sub Station, Richard Munio and

McGrath’s Catering, Mike McGrath

Golden Anniversary Gala Committee Lyn Yarmoff, Chair

Sandy Freedman Mona Katz Judy Lehr

Gina Maduro Elisse Martinez Sandy Tarmo

Decoration Sub-Committee Sandy Freedman, Chair

Barbara Droutman Elise Haton

Connie Luchs Joan Pasternak Barbara Stone

Tribute Book Sub-Committee Elise Haton and Judy Lehr, Co-Chairs

John Benoit Diane Eskritt Jerry Gordon Susan Gordon

Barbara Marmor Marilyn Orens

Jackie Orellana Shoji Andrea Shuirman

Sandy Tarmo Special thanks to TBE’s Senior Youth Group for providing childcare during our celebration.

congratulations to

Rabbi Suzanne Singer

on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of

riverside temple beth el

Love,Alexander ◆ Caroline ◆ Derrick Jake ◆ Martine ◆ Michele Nick ◆ Rob ◆ Romy

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