Congregation Beth Israel finds a home

By Linda CarmanPrint Story | Email Story
Warner Smith of Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams, carries one of four Torah scrolls to the Ark in the congregation's new synagogue on Lois St. during Sunday's dedication ceremony. Mayor John Barrett looks onView Slide Show
NORTH ADAMS — Congregation Beth Israel, the Jewish community of North Berkshire, came home to its new synagogue – a vaulted sanctuary with a panoramic view of Mount Williams – in a joyous dedication ceremony Sunday. Speakers ranging from Mayor John Barrett III to Rabbi Deborah Zecher of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire praised the mahogany and glass building, stressing the quality of its sacred space and role as a haven for worship. “There is no joy like coming home,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, spiritual leader of the congregation, in his opening remarks. “There is no joy for me like this today.” Beth Israel had been without a permanent home for the past four years, after selling its former synagogue on Church Street to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts because it was too large for the congregation. The college allowed Beth Israel to share the Church Street Center, as it is now known, until November 2002, when the synagogue was due to be completed. But for several months, due to heating problems, the congregation held services in the homes of members and at the Jewish Religious Center at Williams College. “This day has finally arrived,” exulted David Ranzer, congregation president and master of ceremonies for the dedication. He later added, “Wood and glass, as well as mortar and bricks, however beautiful and pleasing to the eye in this natural setting overlooking Mount Williams, are clearly secondary to the people who comprise the present day incarnation of Congregation Beth Israel,” About 150 congregation members, friends and officials attended the dedication ceremonies in the Ada and Paul Paresky Sanctuary, donated in memory of their parents by David and Linda Paresky. The formal ceremony began with the procession of the Torah scrolls, ornate silver shields gleaming, carried by Saul Shenkman, Joanne Ranzer, Darlene Radin and Warner Smith. Morris Alpert, at 92 the congregation’s oldest member and its honorary vice president, said he was delighted with the new synagogue — the fifth in North Adams he has attended. “I used to go every day,” said Alpert, who received a standing ovation during the ceremony and a steady stream of greetings after the dedication. “I love synagogue, all the ritual, all the songs. State Rep. Daniel Bosley, D-North Adams, received strong applause when he announced he had planted a ring of trees in Israel as a living monument to the faith and spirit of Congregation Beth Israel. Mayor Barrett praised the civic involvement and contributions of the North Berkshire Jewish community, saying he came to know many Jewish merchants when he worked in his father’s restaurant on Main Street. “We must remember the generations who have gone before as we rebuild our city,” he said, noting that North Adams has a remarkably diverse population. The Rev. Jill Graham, pastor of the First Congregational Church, brought greetings from the Northern Berkshire Clergy Association, praising the congregation for its “works of love in the community and in each other’s lives.” “We have a warm and welcoming community that has a new home for its spiritual life,” she said. State Sen. Andrea Nuciforo Jr., D-Pittsfield, also spoke, causing some amusement when he referred to the congregation president as “Rabbi Ranzer.” “Thanks for the promotion,” Ranzer later quipped. Rabbi Zecher of Great Barrington, representing the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the umbrella organization of the Reform movement, evoked” shalshelat hakabala,” the chain of tradition that links one generation to another. “Your fabric is very deeply rooted in the community,” Zecher said. She shared the biblical story of Jacob’s dream of a ladder linking heaven and earth, noting that, upon awaking, Jacob said, “Surely God is in this place.” Arlene Schiff, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, said her family has been closely connected to the congregation for four generations. “May your congregation go from strength to strength,” she told the assembly. Former congregation President Warner Smith recounted the history of Jewish worship in North Berkshire, starting with the first Jewish families who came to the area in 1867 and established North Adams’ first synagogue in 1893. Following Smith’s remarks, Rabbi Goldwasser said, “As a 110-year-old congregation, we sit on the shoulders of many who have come before us.” He urged those attending to look at the names on the memorial plaques throughout the synagogue — names that continue with younger family members in the congregation. “Such continuity is rare,” he said. “We have a wealth of history, pride in that history and a determination to keep that history alive. Just three weeks before Rosh Hashanah, in this place of holiness, Congregation Beth Israel, welcome to your new home.” The building consistently drew raves from those in attendance. In a telephone conversation Monday, Project Manager Dan Memont of Michael Rosenfeld architects of West Acton, said, “The main structure design focuses on the Ark as the spiritual and structural center of the building. The concrete, curved wall creates the center. The Ark is in two pieces, the first a curved concrete wall and within that, a mahogany tower holding the Torah.” The 15-foot-high sanctuary windows earned Memont an award from the manufacturer, Marvin Windows. The contractor was Restorations Inc. of Pittsfield. The nearly $2 million building, at 53 Lois St., contains 5,500 square feet and has partitions to section off the sanctuary into seating for 50 or up to 230. It also contains offices, two classrooms and a fully equipped modern kitchen. Footings are in place for adding another classroom. The congregation will hold an open house at its new location Sunday, Sept. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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