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In its more
then 150 years of continuous history, Congregation Beth Israel
and its
Jewish community have symbolized the story of the American Jew.
The community has reflected
the social and economic developments of the Northeast. Today, we
are an example of twenty-first century American Judaism. The
makeup of the Congregation reflects the ever-changing pattern of
the demographics of Wayne and Pike Counties in Northeastern
Pennsylvania. Our story has many chapters beginning with the
story of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company and its need to
serve its workers. Our early founders were part of the retail
merchant community of rural America in the mid- and late-
nineteenth century. Then came a small but  creative and dynamic
Manufacturing Class that found an adequate supply of workers
prepared to support the developing Textile industry. In
addition, the County Seat of Honesdale, supported a professional
class. Government and the Hospital became major sources of
Middle Class employment.
One unique phenomenon that developed from the late 1920s on has
been a flourishing community of Resident Summer Camps that
increased the population of the area by over 50,000 individuals
each summer. Many of these camps serve primarily Jewish
children, their older adult counselors, and the owners and
directors of the Camps. The surrounding hills and mountains saw the development of a
winter recreational season as well. Second home communities
developed throughout the area - Hemlock Farms and The Hideout
are the two largest. In the beginning the residents were
seasonal. But slowly, the lure of a more rural life with its
relaxing atmosphere and its security transformed the residents
of these communities into full time dynamic participants in the
life of the greater Wayne and Pike Counties area. Congregation
Beth Israel has benefited and flourished throughout the more
than 157 years of this development.
As one would expect, the Congregation membership was of German
ancestry. It began as Orthodox but quickly transformed itself
into a reflection of German Reform or Classical Reform. The
members were not assimilationists, but strongly supported the
idea of being 100% America. The members were active in all the
cultural and civic institutions of the day. In the 1930s and
1940s, Jews of Eastern European backgrounds began to move into
the area. The Congregation began to slowly change from Classical
Reform to a more Traditional Reform. The Jewish community saw
itself as an independent "full service" community. So
in addition to the Synagogue, there was the Cemetery
Association, a sisterhood, a Lodge of Bnai Brith and a Chapter
of Hadassah. The Community supported the concept of Jewish
philanthropy and contributed generously to community and Jewish
causes. The members were active in the Hospital Board and its
auxiliaries. They supported the Cultural institutions such as
the Wildflower Music Festival, the local libraries and the
various fraternal organizations. Jewish Philanthropic activities
included support for the Jewish institutions of nearby Scranton,
such as the Jewish Home and Jewish Community Center. There is an
annual UJA appeal. Everything that existed in the "Big City
Jewish Communities", had its reflection in the Congregation
Beth Israel Community.
That tradition continues today. The Congregational Membership
supports the religious school activities and seeks out Jewish
cultural events. The membership is dynamic. While there remains
a core of Members that can trace their roots back to the Early
Founders, the majority of Members have joined the Community in
the last fifteen years. Every year there are B'nai Mitzvah and
Weddings celebrated in the Synagogue. There are inevitable sad
occasions as Members pass on and choose the Beth Israel Cemetery
as their final resting place. New Members join every year. They
come from all walks of life. More and more Jewish individuals
find their way to Honesdale and the surrounding areas as a
result of their time spent in our well-known summer camps, at
our local resorts, and because of the developing communities.
The Counties are among the fastest-growing in the Northeast, and
recreational and residential activities expand to meet the
ever-changing needs.
I have been the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel for over
thirty-five years. I have witnessed so many of these
developments. I have celebrated with so many different families
from so many different places. The one element of this Community
that has always impressed me, however, is the way in which all
of life is so easily absorbed into the over 150 years of this
Community. The walls of our Synagogue, small and most beautiful,
seem to ever expand to breathe new life into the Community.
There is a very welcoming invitation for everyone to join in the
embrace of Congregation Beth Israel. |
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