Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.), 1980-2004

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Congregation Beth Sholom (Richland, Wash.)
Title
Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.)
Dates
1980-2004 (inclusive)
Quantity
.36 cubic feet (1 box and 2 vertical files)
Collection Number
3739
Summary
Newsletters, programs, and other records from Congregation Beth Sholom, a Jewish congregation in Richland, Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

The Richland Jewish Congregation was established in 1950 in part to serve the religious needs of the workers for the Hanford nuclear project. During WWII, the Hanford Engineering Works brought a great influx of workers into the Columbia Basin area to build the then secret nuclear project for the production of Plutonium to build an atomic bomb.

On July 7, 1950 fifteen Jews met at the home of Tillie and Meyer Elkins to hold an organizational meeting. Two weeks later they conducted their first prayer service, followed by singing, a book review, discussion and refreshments. Together they formed the Richland Jewish Congregation, meeting in one another’s homes every other Friday evening for prayer and sociability. Over thirty people attended the High Holiday services that year. A Sunday School was begun, with five mothers and nine children at the first session, Bar Mitzvah training undertaken, a constitution adopted, prayer books obtained, and annual dues set at $5.00 per member–all during that first year.

The Congregation swelled and a search for a Torah culminated in 1956, when the group took possession of a Torah rescued from Europe. Services moved from homes to school rooms until 1959 when Congregation Beth Sholom Synagogue was dedicated by Rabbi Joshua Stampfer of Portland. The building was enlarged in 1967.

Beth Sholom Sisterhood was founded in 1957, spurred on by efforts to furnish and beautify the new Synagogue. Eleven years later, the Sisterhood had enlarged its scope to include educational and social aims and became affiliated with the National Women’s League of Conservative Judaism. In 1963, with the help of Rabbi Wilfred Solomon of Vancouver, B.C., the local chapter of United Synagogue Youth was formed. And in 1983 Congregation Beth Sholom associated with the Conservative movement by joining United Synagogue of America.

The Congregation became a founding member of Washington Association of Jewish Communities (WAJCO) in 1985. It is currently the only Jewish congregation in the Tri-Cities area in SE Washington state.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Historical account, newsletters, programs, member handbook, and other papers and materials.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Forms part of the Washington State Jewish Archives.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 3 accessions.

  • Accession No. 3739-001, Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.), 1980-1985
  • Accession No. 3739-002, Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.), 1985-2004
  • Accession No. 3739-003, Congregation Beth Shalom records (Richland, Wash.), 1984-2001

Acquisition Information

Donated by Beth Sholom, 1/1/1984 and Rhoda Lewis, 6/20/2005

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 3739-001: Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.), 1980-1985Return to Top

1 vertical file, circa 20 items

Scope and Content: Historical account, newsletters, programs, miscellaneous papers and materials drawn from scrapbooks and interviews.

Battelle newsletters show activities of members, mainly in science and technology.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Beth Sholom, 1/1/1984.

Description
Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.)

Accession No. 3739-002: Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.), 1985-2004Return to Top

1 vertical file

Scope and Content: Materials include a Congregational Member Handbook, programs from the 35th Anniversary Gala in 1985 and the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2000, one 2004 issue of the newsletter "Bagel Bugle," and an event flyer.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Rhoda Lewis, 2005-06-20

Description
Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.)

Accession No. 3739-003: Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.), 1984-2001Return to Top

.36 cubic feet (1 box)

Scope and Content: This collection consists of copies of Congregation Beth Sholom's newsletter, the "Bagel Bugle".

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Description
Congregation Beth Sholom records (Richland, Wash.)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Jews--Washington (State)--Richland

Personal Names

  • Elkins, Meyer

Corporate Names

  • Congregation Beth Sholom (Richland, Wash.)--Archives
  • Congregation Beth Sholom (Richland, Wash.)--Membership

Form or Genre Terms

  • Newsletters

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington), (host institution)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)