Temple Beth Hillel celebrated its 80th anniversary Saturday in Richmond with a shared meal, storytelling and live music that drew current and former congregants, Richmond Confidential reported.
"It's the birthday of our community," said co-president Anna Stein, who emigrated from Moscow in 1989. Members collected oral histories, written accounts, photos and videos of founders and longtime congregants for the celebration.
A congregation born in the shipyard era
According to the temple, Richmond's Jewish community formed a social group during World War II called the "RAIM club," from chaverim, meaning "friends." The Richmond Jewish Community Center was incorporated by 1945, held its first High Holy Days services a year later and welcomed its first rabbi in 1952. Richmond Confidential reported the founders included Holocaust survivors who sought community in a city reshaped by shipbuilding and wartime migration.
In 1959 the congregation became Temple Beth Hillel and affiliated with the Reform movement. It bought its current 5.1-acre property the next year and dedicated the building in 1964. In 1968 it partnered with Temple Beth El of Berkeley to establish the Tel Shalom cemetery.
Today
The congregation has about 75 families. Its members support local programs including the GRIP Souper Center, Food For Thought, Rubicon Programs and the food bank, according to the temple. "I hope the younger generation will continue to find a home here," said longtime member Maggie Jacobs.