OurStory

Congregation Beth Sholom was first organized on September 5, 1958. It was on that day that 20 people gathered in Burt and Bobbie Goldbergs home to welcome the Shabbat and organize a synagogue. The only Jewish services in Anchorage were being conducted by chaplains on Elmendorf Air Force Base, and organizers wanted to establish a Jewish identity for their children which was anchored to the city. After quite a few heated discussions as to whether to affiliate with Reform or Conservative organizations, said Bea Rose, first secretary for CBS, the Congregation formally affiliated with the Reform Movement in May 1960, while it continued to meet in borrowed facilities.

For four years Religious School was held in centrally located offices. After the national publicity of the 1964 earthquake, enough funds were contributed by individuals and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations to finally erect a synagogue on donated land on 20th Street. The Congregation was enthusiastic about the new synagogue and used it regularly for Shabbat services and to hold regular Sunday school classes. However, for larger gatherings such as High Holy Day services and Bnei Mitzvah, members still needed to use borrowed facilities.
By 1982, membership had almost quadrupled and congregants began planning for a new, larger building. On September 5, 1988, Congregation Beth Sholom commemorated its 30th anniversary by moving into a beautiful, spacious synagogue on a five-acre wooded lot. The new facility was designed so that members could easily celebrate all occasions - large or small - in their own home.

Our Congregation was named Beth Sholom or house of peace. Although sholom is generally translated to mean peace, it also means to fill. When a vessel is full, it is shalem. Here at Congregation Beth Sholom we try to instill in ourselves and others a little more shalom - fulfillment and wholeness - which then grows into a broader sense of peace.

Congregation Beth Sholom looks ahead to a strong, bright future. We welcome new members to join our Congregation and to take part in the meaningful Jewish experience that our synagogue provides.