Beth Tfiloh Congregation

Beth Tfiloh Congregation is a Modern Orthodox congregation in Pikesville, Maryland, having 3,500 members.[1] The synagogue seats 1,600 persons. Beth Tfiloh says it is the largest Modern Orthodox congregation in the U.S.[1]

Beth Tfiloh Congregation
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
StatusActive
Location
LocationPikesville, Maryland
Location within Maryland
Geographic coordinates39.385833°N 76.706528°W / 39.385833; -76.706528
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
Website
www.btfiloh.org

History

Beth Tfiloh Congregation was founded in Forest Park in 1921 with Rabbi Samuel Rosenblatt, son of Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt, who served in that capacity until 1972 when he was named Rabbi Emeritus. From 1972 to 1977, David Novak served as Chief Rabbi. He was succeeded by Mitchell Wohlberg, who has served as Chief Rabbi of Beth Tfiloh Congregation since 1978.

Beth Tfiloh operates the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Pikesville for children from preschool to twelfth grade. The Congregation also operates the Beth Tfiloh Camp in Owings Mills on property acquired in 1951 as a camp for youth groups.

Beth El Congregation

In 1948, a group of nine lay leaders of Beth Tfiloh Congregation advocated for holding mixed-gender religious services and expanded b'nei mitzvah ceremonies.[2] Their advocacy was unsuccessful, and instead they formed Beth El Congregation.[2]

Beth Jacob Congregation

On March 8, 2007, Beth Tfiloh announced that it would merge with Beth Jacob Congregation, a 69-year-old congregation run by Rabbi Gavriel Newman. Beth Jacob Congregation's membership had decreased over the years, and it was at about 500 in 2007, most of whom were age 75 or older. In a vote whether to go forward with the merger, 87 percent of Beth Jacob Congregation's members voted in favor. The merger happened in August 2007. Rabbi Newman decided to start a new congregation called Kehal Yaakov.[3]

Notable members

References
  1. Pitts, Jonathan M. (September 25, 2020). "Baltimore-area Orthodox rabbis work around electronics ban in planning for Yom Kippur in the coronavirus era". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  2. "Our History". Beth El Congregation. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  3. Lay, Liz F. (August 11, 2007). "It's goodbye, hello for a congregation". The Baltimore Sun. p. B1, B5.
  4. Serpick, Bev Fine. "Sen. Cardin first speaker at brotherhood monthly meetings". Carroll County Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.


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