Beth Am was established as an alternative to suburban congregations – not just committing to a home in Baltimore City, but to a synagogue where children were allowed to make noise in the sanctuary, women were allowed to read Torah, and learning was central to enriching the Jewish experience.
From its earliest days as a do-it-yourself, volunteer-driven synagogue, to today where volunteerism is still embraced and celebrated (and needed), we look back at the 50 years of Beth Am and encourage your participation.
These special anniversary webpages will emphasize a series of topics throughout the year.
Your memories, your photographs, your recipes will enhance this history throughout this 50th year and beyond. You can add to this important archive of our shared past by contributing your videos, photographs, letters and memories – just click here.
In 1974, Beth Am was founded. Its Eutaw Place building, once home to Chizuk Amuno Synagogue, emerged as an in-town center of Jewish worship at a time when most congregations moved from Baltimore City to Baltimore County. Efrem Potts, whose family had been long-time members of Chizuk Amuno, and his father-in-law, Dr. Louis Kaplan, were instrumental in the creation of this new congregation. Efrem became Beth Am’s first Board president and Dr. Kaplan, the president of Baltimore Hebrew College, Beth Am’s first rebbe. Dr. Kaplan’s wife, Etta, was the person credited with naming this new synagogue Beth Am – House of the People, and Efrem’s wife Debbie served tirelessly, for many years, as Beth Am’s sole administrative staff.
Efrem, who died in 2017, told the story of Beth Am’s founding many times. In recognition of Beth Am’s 13th anniversary, at the request of then Board President Bob Hillman, Efrem recounted the founding at the December 19, 1987 Shabbat service.
Click here to open Efrem’s full remarks as a PDF document.
Is something missing? We’d love to add to this timeline! Please share your stories with us using this form.
