Beth Am Milestones

1930 - 1940 - 1950 - 1960 - 1970 - 1980 - 1990 - 2000

1930's

1934
First “banquet” in an abandoned storeroom of Carthay Circle Theatre.
1935
Services begun by 21 families in an empty food market. Congregation incorporates as “American Hebrew Institute.”
1936
Lot purchased at 1027 S. La Cienega Blvd.
1937
First building erected; known as Brotherhood Hall, then Cafe Keshet. First High Holyday services conducted there.
1938
First dinner dance held at Wilshire Bowl
1939
Chapel built for congregation, completed in time for High Holydays

1940's

1940
Name changed to Olympic Jewish Center.
First Children’s Seder held.
1941
Lot just north of 1027 purchased.
First Purim play given by Religious School children.
1942
Building fund authorized for more adequate school facilities.
Men’s Club organized.
1943
Parent-Teacher’s Association formed.
Members buy million dollars U.S. Bonds-dedicate bomber.
1944
Mortgage on building at 1027 S. La Cienega paid off in full.
Sisterhood equips kitchen & purchases table set-ups.
1945
Youth groups and activities organized.
Additional lot purchased.
1946
Temple affiliates with United Synagogue of America.
School building begun.
1947
School building cornerstone ceremonies held at north side of Chapel.
1948
Celebration of Israel becoming a State.
First public seder held at Temple.
School building completed and dedicated.
1949
First library established with start of 200 books.

1950's

1950
Rabbi Jacob Pressman assumes duties as Rabbi on March 1, 1950.
Lots adjacent to Temple purchased.
1951
Nursery school started at urging of Rabbi Pressman.
Menorah erected on roof of Temple.
1952
First family seder held at Temple.
First Purim Parade on La Cienega Boulevard.
First Friday night service conducted by teenagers.
1953
Hall of Honor inaugurated.
Adult education classes initiated.
1954
Groundbreaking ceremonies for new sanctuary.
State of Israel presents Bond Award to Temple.
1955
New Temple building plans approved.
1956
Rabbi Pressman elected President of West Coast Rabbinical Assembly.
Foundation for new building started.
1957
Temple Board votes to change name of congregation to Temple Beth Am (Home of the People).
Cornerstone laying ceremony June 9.
1958
Building completed and dedicated.
Mirror Room now available for Simchas.
Permanent seats installed in new Sanctuary.
Youth Congregation honored by nation-wide recognition.
1959
Rabbi Harry A. Silverstein joins Temple staff.
Los Angeles Hebrew High School, housed at Temple Beth Am, celebrates 10th anniversary.

1960's

1960
Temple Beth Am Section purchased at Eden Memorial Park Cemetery.
1961
Rabbi Pressman delivers invocation at opening session of House of Representatives under President John F. Kennedy, at the invitation of Congressman James Roosevelt.
1962
Elevator designed by Rabbi Pressman and donated by Hy and Lynne Walter installed in Temple.
Sabbath family night dinners initiated.
1963
Rabbi Pressman again invited to deliver invocation at opening session of House of Representatives.
7,000 mourners pay respects to late President John F. Kennedy in six consecutive memorial services at Temple.
1964
Land purchased for new school building.
Pulpit area reconstructed.
Installation of bima stained glass windows completed.
Membership reaches high of 1,000 families.
Jan Peerce concert.
1965
Ground broken for new school building.
Plaque presented to Temple on behalf of Bonds for Israel.
1966
Memorial wall unveiled in memory of the six million who perished in the Holocaust.
New Ark designed by Rabbi Pressman dedicated with Nathan Shapell, President.
New school building dedicated September 11.
1967
Rabbi Morton Wallack joins Temple staff.
Solomon Schechter award presented to Temple Beth Am.
Wonderful World of Art.
1968
Saul Curtis Library dedicated February 11.
Daily Chapel reconstructed.
Bonds for Israel citation presented to Temple.
Rabbi Pressman honored at dinner for 18 years of service.
1969
Hall of Memories in Main Lobby dedicated.

1970's

1971
Sights and Sounds of the 70’s.
1972
Herzl School, college preparatory day school, founded by Rabbi Pressman.
50,000 attend “Israel Expo West,” a week-long exposition.
1973
Festival of the Arts.
1976
Temple celebrates United States Bicentennial with “Expo ’76.”
1978
Israel Maskit Showcase.
William “Bill” Strick becomes Executive Director.
Shalom, Shalom Ball honors Rabbi Pressman.
1979
Temple acquires remaining property south to Whitworth Avenue.
Rae Braunstein building dedicated.

1980's

1980
Temple founds Beth Am Academy day school.
1981
Temple celebrates Los Angeles Bicentennial at Gala Dinner honoring Mayor Tom Bradley and 14 other prominent Angelenos.
1982
The Candy Man Ball honors Sammy Davis, Jr.
Groundbreaking for Beth Am Manor Senior Housing.
Community College of Jewish Studies at Beth Am.
1983
Greatest Auction on Earth.
A Royal Evening honoring Dvorah & Jack Colker.
Marjorie Pressman honored at Bonds Between Us Luncheon.
A salute to Everett Covin, A Man and his Music.
1984
Dedication of Beth Am Manor— Senior Housing.
Cantor Samuel Cohon joins Temple staff.
Rabbi Pressman gives closing benediction at National Democratic Convention.
Book burial at Eden Memorial Park.
1985
Rabbi Joel Rembaum assumes position of Senior Rabbi July 15.
Establishment of Program Department.
First 6th grade graduation of Beth Am Academy.
Presentation of needlework pulpit vestments.
Rabbi Pressman honored by Israel Bonds.
University of Judaism presents Honorary Doctorate to Rabbi Pressman.
Rabbi Joel Rembaum elected to Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards.
1986
The Phantom Ball.
Dedication of newly reorganized school system asRabbi Jacob Pressman Academy.
Dr. David Ackerman becomes first Director of Pressman Academy.
Revival of Purim Parade on La Cienega Blvd.
1987
A “Man of Note” Dinner Dance honoring Cantor Samuel Kelemer.
Dedication of Pilch Family Playground.
Creation of ATID Young Leadership Development Program.
1988
An Evening with Michael Feinstein.
Torateinu: Torah Fair and Siyum Ha Torah.
Sam & Rose Katz Soviet Jewry “twinning” program.
Temple Beth Am has newly reorganized school system.
1989
A Host of Toasts from Coast to Coast honoring Marilyn and Monty Hall.
A Strick Spectacular–Tribute to Anita and Bill Strick.
Dedication of lower bimah in sanctuary.

1990's

1990
An Evening with Alan King.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Reunion organized by Laura Klein.
Dvorah Colker becomes first woman President of Temple Beth Am.
Rabbi Joel Rembaum elected President Rabbinical Assembly Pacific Southwest Region.
1991
“The Best of Times Is Now” A Sterling Silverstein Tribute honors Kay and Rabbi Harry Silverstein.
Hazzan Jeremy Lipton joins congregation.
Inauguration of Capital Campaign to rebuild synagogue and school.
1992
Musical Political Satire with the Capitol Steps.
Groundbreaking for Rena E. Ganzberg Educational Center for the Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy.
Rabbi Perry Netter becomes Associate Rabbi.
“Dvorah A Celebration” honors Dvorah Colker.
From Yankel to Yankee designed & produced by Laura Klein.
1993
Saturday Night Alive with Steve Allen.
It’s You, Margie, It’s You - Honoring Marjorie Pressman.
Temple Beth Am participates in community mega-mission to Israel.
Rabbi Joel Rembaum elected President Board of Rabbis, Southern California.
1994
Dedication of Pressman Academy, February 1994.
A Tribute to Larry Schwimmer.
1995
Renovation begins on the Marilyn & Sigi Ziering Family Synagogue Center.
Aviva Lebovitz becomes Educational Director of Pressman Academy.
60th Anniversary Celebration honors Rabbi Joel Rembaum for 10 years as TBA spiritual leader.
Pressman Academy graduates first 8th grade class.
Sheryl Eisenberg Goldman becomes Temple Beth Am’s Executive Director.
1996
Jerusalem 3000 Celebration draws thousands to Temple events.
Marilyn & Sigi Ziering honored at dedication of Ziering Family Synagogue Center.
1997
20 Beth Am members celebrate Adult Bnai Mitzvah.
TBA - Inner City Christian Center partnership is inaugurated.
“Shuleboat” Dinner Dance honors Marshall Temkin.
1998
Pressman Academy enrollment tops 500 students.
Chava Alberstein performs at TBA in honor of Israel’s 50th Anniversary.
“Miles of Smiles” tribute to Alan Bunnage.
1999
All three schools of the Pressman Academy receive accreditation from BJE, WASC & NAEYC.
Alyssa Ellis is named “Youth Director Of The Year” by the PSW Region of USY.
The Ashkenas, Horowitz, Rabin and Schwartz/Wilchfort families are honored for four generations of Beth Am involvement.
Rabbi Jacob Pressman performed to a sell-out crowd on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

2000's

2000
Beth Am’s monthly newsletter “The Olympian” takes on a new look and becomes “Kol Ha’am”.
“Endowing Our Future” campaign kicks off.
Dr. Deborah Lipstadt draws 1500 people for the Joseph Rasky Memorial Lecture.
Beth Am’s USY Chapter was awarded “Chapter of Excellence” by the PSW Region of USY.
The Neshama Minyan is founded.
2001
A Pressman Academy delegation of 42 students, parents and staff visit the Academy’s twin school, Magen, in Tel Aviv.
The first ever Shavuot Harvest Festival is a tremendous success.
Aviva Lebovitz retires as Educational Director of Pressman Academy. Rabbi Mitchel Malkus assumes the position.
Virginia Maas is honored for her 3 years as TBA President.
2002
Pressman Academy receives its first grant from the Zimmer Foundation to develop a life skills program.
Mark E. Friedman joins the TBA staff as Director of Development.
Formation of the Israel Action Committee.
Rabbi Jacob Pressman publishes “Dear Friends” and Rabbi Perry Netter publishes “Divorce Is A Mitzvah”.
TBA honors Rabbis David & Jackie Ellenson with a farewell tribute dinner.
2003
TBA Members Break All Records with $12 Million in Israel Bonds Purchases.
Kol Ha’am and the Shavuot Harvest Festival receive awards from the Pacific Southwest Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Mitzvah Missions I and II visit Israel.
First Annual Pressman Academy-Wide Giving Campaign culminates with a Gala honoring Consul General Yuval and Miri Rotem.
Howard Pilch is honored for his 2 years as TBA President.
2004
A new Sefer Torah is commissioned by TBA through the Torat Emet project in memory of Charles Pilch z”l.
ECC and Day Schools of Pressman Academy pilot Hebrew Immersion program.
A record 48 adults and students from Pressman Academy visit Magen, our sister school in Tel Aviv.
TBA celebrates Hazzan Jeremy Lipton’s 13th “Bar Mitzvah” year at our congregation
“Live at 85” honors and showcases Rabbi Jacob Pressman on his milestone birthday.
2005
Shir Hadash service is established in the Sanctuary for Shabbat and Holidays
We burned the mortgage! Temple Beth Am is debt free!
Pressman Academy Religious School institutes Hebrew Immersion program.
YABA (Young Adults @ Beth Am) is founded to reach out to those in their 20’s and 30’s.
Koleinu program for children with special needs, and the monthly Kol Ha’am receive Solomon Schechter Gold Awards from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
TBA USY is named regional Chapter of Excellence.
2006
Pressman Academy celebrates its 20th Anniversary and honors its founding director, Dr. David Ackerman.
Following her ordination, TBA hires Pressman AcademyReligious School Principal Rabbi Susan Leider as Assistant Rabbi.
An International Salute To Our President honors Mark Wolf for his 3 years as TBA President.
The Ben Siegel Community Service Award was established and presented in memory of Ben Siegel z”l.
2007
Embarked on a Strategic Planning process to ensure the continuing strength of the congregation into the future.
Acquired property on Corning Street, to be used for expanded Pressman Academy Early Childhood Center classrooms.
Completed security enhancements with funding from the Department of Homeland Security.
Zerner Master Teacher Series brings four world-renowned scholars to TBA
TBA Honors Michael Berenbaum - Scholar - Author -Teacher and presents the Ben Siegel
Community Service Award to Nate Milmeister.
2008
The Library Minyan celebrates its 36th Anniversary Year with a Shabbaton weekend and publishes a Festschrift to mark the occasion.
Pressman Academy ECC opens new transition classes in the Corning Building.
Special programs honoring “Israel @ 60” bring together hundreds of synagogue and community members.
The congregation bids farewell to long-time senior staff members Hazzan Jeremy Lipton and Rabbi Perry Netter.
TBA honors Vivian Alberts and presents the Ben Siegel Community Service Award to Judy Cowan.
Rabbi Pressman celebrates the start of his 90th year with a Gala Show and Celebration!
2009
TBA engages in a formal search for a new Senior Rabbi and hires Rabbi Adam Kligfeld .
Rabbi Joel Rembaum concludes his full-time service to Temple Beth Am.
2010
ONE GREAT GALA brings together the entire TBA/Pressman Academy community to honor Rabbi Joel Rembaum upon his retirement, celebrating his 25 years of Leadership, Learning and Love and presenting him with the Etz Chaim Education Award.