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Its building’s for sale, but Beth Israel Synagogue takes it ‘Shabbos by Shabbos’

JL;DR SUMMARY Beth Israel Synagogue in Washington, Pennsylvania, is grappling with sustainability challenges, having placed its building on the market and deciding not to offer High Holiday services this year. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish HistoryHigh HolidaysRabbinic LeadershipSustainabilityJewish Community Legacy ProjectCommunity BuildingBeth Israel SynagogueSmall CongregationsSynagogue SalesCongregation Viability

Places mentioned

Washington, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States
"Posner, a four-time past president, current secretary of the board and chairperson of the legacy committee at Beth Israel Synagogue in Washington, Pennsylvania, is certain that the congregation is viable and will continue to perform valuable functions for its members."
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States
"Posner understands that Beth Israel, like so many other small shuls that have recently closed in surrounding areas like Canonsburg, Monessen, Charleroi and Donora is facing difficult decisions."
Monessen, Pennsylvania, United States
"Posner understands that Beth Israel, like so many other small shuls that have recently closed in surrounding areas like Canonsburg, Monessen, Charleroi and Donora is facing difficult decisions."
Charleroi, Pennsylvania, United States
"Posner understands that Beth Israel, like so many other small shuls that have recently closed in surrounding areas like Canonsburg, Monessen, Charleroi and Donora is facing difficult decisions."
Donora, Pennsylvania, United States
"Posner understands that Beth Israel, like so many other small shuls that have recently closed in surrounding areas like Canonsburg, Monessen, Charleroi and Donora is facing difficult decisions."
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, United States
"For some, like Uniontown or Monessen or Oil City or New Castle or Latrobe, its We know were going to close, what do we do? said JCLPs senior vice president, Noah Levine."
Oil City, Pennsylvania, United States
"For some, like Uniontown or Monessen or Oil City or New Castle or Latrobe, its We know were going to close, what do we do? said JCLPs senior vice president, Noah Levine."
New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States
"For some, like Uniontown or Monessen or Oil City or New Castle or Latrobe, its We know were going to close, what do we do? said JCLPs senior vice president, Noah Levine."
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States
"For some, like Uniontown or Monessen or Oil City or New Castle or Latrobe, its We know were going to close, what do we do? said JCLPs senior vice president, Noah Levine."
Greensburg, Pennsylvania, United States
"For others, like Washington, which is on the cusp, or Greensburg, they know theyre not going to close but they have issues dealing with sustainability."
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, United States
"Sekel said if Beth Israel dissolves, shell decide between attending services at the Carnegie Shul or the Parkway Jewish Center in Penn Hills."
Cecil Township, Pennsylvania, United States
"Sekel, who lives in Cecil Township, treasures the memories of her children celebrating life cycle events at the synagogue, and the women there beaming with pride."
Georgia, United States
"Posner serves on the advisory committee for the Jewish Community Legacy Project, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that works nationally with small congregations, helping to facilitate planning based on a congregations stage of life."

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Retrieved 2025-06-05 05:36:25 UTC
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