Sisterhood

Our Temple Beth Or Sisterhood provides a network of support for the congregation and for its members. The temple experience is enhanced multifold through their efforts; it would be impossible to imagine temple life without them.

The Sisterhood was established in 1949 as a natural offshoot of the Council of Jewish Women. The Council had served as a ladies auxiliary to meet congregational needs of all three congregations at the time: Temple Beth Or, Etz Ahayem, and Agudath Israel. By 1949, responsibilities the ladies had taken on at Temple Beth Or called for a dedicated organization and thus the Temple Beth Or Sisterhood was born.

Our first Sisterhood President was Mrs. Kalman Shwarts, Sr. who has been followed by an amazing series of dedicated and energetic women. Our Sisterhood Presidents have each brought their own vision of warmth and creativity to temple life.

A long tradition of providing delicious and bountiful dinners and receptions for special events only touches the surface of Sisterhood accomplishments. Sisterhood has supported the Youth Group and S.E.F.T.Y,  helped renovate the temple kitchen, added silver, tablecloths, a washer, dryer, freezer, piano, and an organ. Materials for the Religion School have also been supplied. They have beautified the Temple through landscaping of the West Terrace, and completed tapestries depicting the twelve tribes in the temple office, as well as needlepoint tapestry wall hangings in the Social Hall. Needlepoint Torah covers were designed and executed by congregation members.

A vital Sisterhood depends on its individual members, and we have been blessed with a congregation that believes in the importance of maintaining and enhancing the congregational experience. Please feel free to contact our officers and committee chairs with suggestions and offers to help.

Sisterhood Leadership 2018/19
President – Alison Williamson
Vice President – Joy Kaplan
Vice President – Carol Loeb
Treasurer – Marlene Beringer
Financial Secretary – Harriette Dorosin

Standing Committees
Candle lighters
Chanukah Dinner
Closing Meeting
House & Kitchen
Huntingdon College Night
Membership
Opening Meeting
Passover Seder
Purim Festival
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah Day Apples & Honey
Simchat Torah
Sisterhood Shabbat
Sukkot
Ways & Means (Cheesecakes)
Yom Kippur Break Fast