Sign In Forgot Password
Home > Who We Are > History

History

   History

In 1925 a group of 33 people decided that Jews who lived in the West Adams section of Los Angeles needed a synagogue  with a Talmud Torah and social center close to their homes. This small group chose the name West Adams Hebrew Congregation. The new congregation purchased a lot at the corner of West Adams Street and Hillcrest Drive. By the following year women of the congregation organized a sisterhood. In 1928, the congregation dedicated its first building. Originally, it was organized as a conservative synagogue, with some calling it "semi-orthodox." Over the years, the West Adams Jewish Community grew, as did the synagogue. Services and Torah studies for adults were held daily. Rabbi Nathan Addelson joined the congregation in 1933 and remained until 1938. In 1938 a newly ordained Rabbi from the Hebrew Theological College of Chicago, Simon Dolgin a"h, followed Rabbi Addelson and led the congregation
 
 
In 1949, Beth Jacob Congregation established its own day school. In 1954 Rabbi Simon A. Dolgin a"h (left) moved the congregation from West Adams to Beverly Hills, an "exclusive area." Beth Jacob not only moved geographically, but spiritually as well. Rabbi Dolgin a"h gradually moved the congregation to a more meticulos Orthodox practice and the congregation took an increasingly traditional image. With the move to Beverly Hills and the more traditional approach, attendance increased, adult classes flourished, and the growth of Yiddishkeit was in evidence in Beverly Hills. 
In 1955, Beth Jacob's day school changed its name to Hillel Hebrew Academy and it moved in 1964 into a new building located one block from the congregation where it flourishs today.
 
 
In 1964, Beth Jacob merged with local congregation B'nai Israel.  In 1971, Rabbi Dolgin a"h made aliyah and opened a branch of Beth Jacob in Ramat Eshkol section of Jerusalem where it thrives today.
 
 
 
Rabbi Maurice Lamm (left) succeeded Rabbi Dolgin a"h as the Rabbi and led Beth Jacob until 1984 when Rabbi Abner Weiss (right) succeeded him.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rabbi Steven Weil (left) became Beth Jacob's Rabbi in 2000 and led the congregation until 2009 when Rabbi Kalman Topp (right) succeeded him as Senior Rabbi. 
 
Beth Jacob prides itself as a place of Torah and community.  Its membership consists of approximately 700 families and sees itself as a model for other Orthodox Synagogues across the country.
 
In 1925 a group of 33 people decided that Jews who lived in the West Adams section of Los Angeles needed a synagogue  with a Talmud Torah and social center close to their homes. This small group chose the name West Adams Hebrew Congregation. The new congregation purchased a lot at the corner of West Adams Street and Hillcrest Drive. By the following year women of the congregation organized a sisterhood. In 1928, the congregation dedicated its first building. Originally, it was organized as a conservative synagogue, with some calling it "semi-orthodox." Over the years, the West Adams Jewish Community grew, as did the synagogue. Services and Torah studies for adults were held daily. Rabbi Nathan Addelson joined the congregation in 1933 and remained until 1938. In 1938 a newly ordained Rabbi from the Hebrew Theological College of Chicago, Simon Dolgin a"h, followed Rabbi Addelson and led the congregation
 
 
In 1949, Beth Jacob Congregation established its own day school. In 1954 Rabbi Simon A. Dolgin a"h (left) moved the congregation from West Adams to Beverly Hills, an "exclusive area." Beth Jacob not only moved geographically, but spiritually as well. Rabbi Dolgin a"h gradually moved the congregation to a more meticulos Orthodox practice and the congregation took an increasingly traditional image. With the move to Beverly Hills and the more traditional approach, attendance increased, adult classes flourished, and the growth of Yiddishkeit was in evidence in Beverly Hills. 
In 1955, Beth Jacob's day school changed its name to Hillel Hebrew Academy and it moved in 1964 into a new building located one block from the congregation where it flourishs today.
 
 
In 1964, Beth Jacob merged with local congregation B'nai Israel.  In 1971, Rabbi Dolgin a"h made aliyah and opened a branch of Beth Jacob in Ramat Eshkol section of Jerusalem where it thrives today.
 
 
 
Rabbi Maurice Lamm (left) succeeded Rabbi Dolgin a"h as the Rabbi and led Beth Jacob until 1984 when Rabbi Abner Weiss (right) succeeded him.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rabbi Steven Weil (left) became Beth Jacob's Rabbi in 2000 and led the congregation until 2009 when Rabbi Kalman Topp (right) succeeded him as Senior Rabbi. 
 
Beth Jacob prides itself as a place of Torah and community.  Its membership consists of over 750 families and sees itself as a model for other Orthodox Synagogues across the country.
 
Shabbat starts Friday: 6:50PM
Shabbat ends Saturday: 7:51PM
Thu, March 23 2023 1 Nisan 5783