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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.
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