Beth El Temple (1953 - present)

Beth El Temple was founded in West Hartford in 1954 by a group of seven couples from The Emanuel Synagogue in Hartford. The temple’s first Rabbi, Stanley Kessler, was appointed in September of that year. Kessler would be noted for his involvement in the civil rights movement and other causes. Rabbi Kessler served as religious leader of the Temple until his retirement in 1992. At that time, Rabbi James Rosen was appointed and Rabbi Kessler became Rabbi Emeritus.

Beth El was founded on democratic principles. All members paid the same membership fee and had an equal vote. Almost from the beginning, women as well as men were entitled to vote on behalf of their families.

Before moving into its own building, the congregation held services at the Friends’s Meeting House on South Quaker Lane. The congregation began construction on its own building starting with the Education Wing in 1954. The Temple Sanctuary was completed in 1963. Since that time, chapel and sculpture gardens have been added.

Emanuel and Beth El maintained a joint religious school from 1953 until 1955. The joint school met first at Emanuel and then at the Robinson School. When the Beth El Education Wing was completed, Beth El established its own school.

By 1980, the congregation numbered almost 700 families. Today, with a membership of over 1,000 households, Beth El is one of the largest Conservative congregations in New England.