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The Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am Congregation has a long and treasured history. As our name suggests present-day Beth David represents the joining together of three unique congregations.

The original Congregation Beth David dates from 1953, formed by young families who were part of the Wilson Heights Congregation. This fledgling group aligned themselves with the Conservative movement under the name of Beth David, around 1955. Services took place in a variety of locations, including a flat above a hardware store on Wilson Avenue, a former farm house on Bathurst Street and a prefabricated building on part of the land Beth David sits on today. By 1956 there were 60 member families with Rabbi Albert Pappenheim as spiritual leader. Rabbi Pappenheim, a German national previously interned in a Canadian war detention camp, left marks on his congregation lasting even to the present day. Two years later, in 1958, construction of the current building got underway with the official dedication in May 1962.

B’nai Israel’s history goes back to the WWI era when services were held in private homes and flats above shops. Eventually houses on Shaw Street and Bellwoods Park were purchased and it became the famous Shaw Street Shul located at 257 Shaw Street. As Toronto grew and the Jewish community migrated to the suburbs members moved north. B'nai Israel eventually amalgamated with Beth David in 1960.

Beth Am’s story is somewhat similar. Starting in 1954, 100 families from Downsview and Winston Park began contributing to the new West Wilson Community Centre. The name change to Beth Am occurred when it too became affiliated with the Conservative movement. Its sanctuary was completed in 1964. Over time with the Jewish community’s constant resettling, dwindling numbers made it prudent to amalgamate with B’nai Israel Beth David in 1976.

In 1981, Rabbi Philip Scheim, fresh from ordination by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, joined as Assistant Rabbi, and took over as Senior Rabbi with the untimely death of Rabbi Pappenheim in 1984. Today he is our Rabbi Emeritus.

The combination of shuls with their own rich cultures has resulted in one of the most dynamic Egalitarian Conservative congregations in Toronto.

Mission

Beth David exists to develop and preserve Jewish traditions from generation to generation. In accordance with this mission we serve the Jewish community of the Greater Toronto Area, including members and non-members, by addressing their spiritual, social and educational needs. We do this by providing a variety of opportunities for religious observance, educational and social programming for children, youth and adults, and venues for life cycle events and celebrations of our faith and traditions.

Values

Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am upholds the principles of Conservative Judaism:

Jewish spiritual growth
Education and learning
Spiritual inclusiveness
Social inclusiveness
Anticipating the needs of members
Stimulating Volunteerism

Our Vision of Tomorrow

In order to preserve and develop Jewish traditions, we must become a synagogue that makes things happen. We will provide critical leadership in religious observance, Jewish education and community social and political action.

Beth David will be an exciting place participate, learn and grow – a place where warmth, caring and the joy of being Jewish together, blend with tradition, ritual and spiritual development to produce something unique. These are fundamental driving forces that influence the decisions we make, and define the character of our organization.

Wed, April 30 2025
2 Iyyar 5785