LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 103rd Anniversary of the Temple
Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek of Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
103rd Anniversary of the Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari
Zedek of Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek is dedicated
to Judaism as a living and growing faith and provides its members with a
strong sense of Jewish identity; it invites all Jewish and inter-faith
families to become part of its warm and caring congregational family and
encourages participation through religious services, affiliated organ-
izations, educational programs, special events and life-cycle ceremo-
nies; and
WHEREAS, In 1908, there were few Jewish families in the Flatbush
section of Brooklyn; in that year, Hannah Hirsch was concerned with
providing her children with a Jewish education, and she invited some of
her Jewish neighbors to her home for a group discussion; and
WHEREAS, That particular meeting resulted in the establishment and
organization of the first reform religious school in Flatbush; for the
next three years, the school held classes in Dilliard's French Bakery
and Dining Room on Cortelyou Road at East 16th Street; and
WHEREAS, On May 17, 1911, Mrs. Hirsch's group of 35 Jewish families
met for the purpose of organizing a liberal reform congregation; they
met at the Savoy Hall at 854 Flatbush Avenue, and on October 17, 1911,
the name of the congregation was established as Temple Beth Emeth of
Flatbush (the House of Truth); and
WHEREAS, In November of 1911, a call was made to Rabbi Samuel J.
Levinson of Yonkers, and he accepted the invitation to return to his
native Brooklyn and lead the congregation; he was formally installed as
Rabbi of Temple Beth Emeth in February of 1912; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Levinson soon embarked on a campaign to develop a
permanent structure for the Temple because services were still being
held at the Savoy Hall; the location selected was the southeast corner
of Marlborough Road and Church Avenue; the cornerstone was laid on July
30, 1913 and on Rosh Hashanah Eve, in 1914, the new Temple was dedi-
cated; and
WHEREAS, Membership grew rapidly in just a few years; more space was
needed for the classrooms and meeting rooms and in 1922, an addition to
the sanctuary was added; already having a religious school that was one
of the best around, by the mid-1930s, Temple Beth Emeth boasted one of
the largest men's clubs in the country with over 800 members, and the
sisterhood numbered over 400 members; and
WHEREAS, In 1936, the sanctuary was renovated and changed to an art-
deco design and air conditioning was installed; a bronze Ark was
designed and presented as a gift to the Temple; the renovations added
greater beauty and warmth to the sanctuary and it came to be known as
the little "Jewel Box"; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, a massive exodus of Reform Jews from
Brooklyn began which greatly reduced the membership of four congre-
gations; by the 1990s, the merging of these congregations resulted in

today's Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek which keeps the
flame of reform Judaism alive in Flatbush; and
WHEREAS, Today, Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek
remains a vibrant and caring Jewish community, which stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its
past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 103rd Anniversary of the Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr
Progressive Shaari Zedek of Brooklyn, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek of Brooklyn,
New York.