Beth Israel-West Temple (Cleveland, Ohio)

Beth Israel-The West Temple (f. 1954) is a Reform Jewish synagogue located in Cleveland, Ohio's west side. For more information about the congregation's history, the researcher should consult the register to MS. 3926 Beth Isael-The West Temple Records. A noted feature of this congretation is its volunteerism. For the first forty-five years of its history, all posts and jobs, with the exception of rabbi, were staffed by volunteers. This included the principal, administrator, teachers, and aides of the religious school; the librarians, office managers and secretaries; youth group advisors; and interfaith and community education coordinators. Approximately one-third of the congregation made this commitment to volunteer several hours a week throughout the year.

Beth Israel - The West Temple was organized in 1954 to serve Reform Jews on Cleveland's west side. The West Side Jewish Center was organized as Bʻnai Israel in 1910. It incorporated as the West Side Jewish Center in 1940. Originally an Orthodox congregation, it joined the Conservative movement in 1953. The two congregations merged as a Reform congregation in 1957 and occupy the building they financed together on Triskett Ave.