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June 1975
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Five people, including Jerry Silverman and Henry
Siegel, begin discussions on forming a gay synagogue in
Philadelphia.
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October 1975
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Twice a month services begin in a private home.
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September 1976
|
First High Holiday services specifically for gay Jews
are held in Philadelphia.
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February 1977
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Congregation Beth Ahavah becomes incorporated.
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January 1978
|
Shabbat services move from private homes to the space
used by Dignity (gay Catholic Church).
|
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January 1979
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Weekly Shabbat services begin.
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March 1979
|
Speaker's Bureau established. Congregation Beth
Ahavah now has 35 members.
|
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June 1980
|
Congregation holds service to dedicate the space at
2116 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
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July 1981
|
Synagogue hosts 6th International Conference of Gay
and Lesbian Jews.
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September 1982
|
Congregation Beth Ahavah begins to use the Sudbury
Siddur for Shabbat services.
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1985-1986
|
Rabbi Linda Holtzman serves as spiritual leader of
the congregation.
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October 1987
|
A series of difficulties lead to discussions of
disbanding the synagogue. A minyan of people take
responsibility for the future of Beth Ahavah.
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Winter 1988
|
Friday night services begin again; this time they are
held at the YMNWHA on Broad Street in Philadelphia.
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1989-1990
|
The Women's Chavurah is established to encourage
women's involvement in the synagogue.
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October 1989
|
The membership of the congregation votes to affiliate
with the UAHC.
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1990-1991
|
A full calendar of religious activities is
re-established. Congregation Beth Ahavah now has 75
members.
|
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June 1990
|
The Women's Chavurah sponsors a Conference on Womens
Relationships: Friends, Family, Lovers, and Business.
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1991-1992
|
First official budget is prepared and maintained for
the congregation.
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July 1991
|
A five-year lease is signed on 8 Letitia Street,
Philadelphia, PA.
|
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October 1991
|
Congregation Beth Ahavah acquires our first Torah,
through the Small Congregations Department of the UAHC.
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December 1991
|
Friday night Shabbat services begin at 8 Letitia
Street.
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January 1992
|
The building at 8 Letitia Street and the new Torah
are dedicated. Congregation Beth Ahavah now has 108
members.
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1993
|
Membership grows to 140 members.
|
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1994
|
After an extensive review, Congregation Beth Ahavah
selects the Reconstructionist prayer book, Kol
Haneshamah, for Friday night services.
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mid 1990's
|
The Men's Club is established.
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1995
|
Focus groups are held to determine future direction
of Congregation Beth Ahavah. Congregation overwhelmingly
decides that it should hire a rabbi.
|
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September 1995
|
High Holiday services are conducted at the DoubleTree
Hotel. An estimated 300 people attend.
|
|
March 1996
|
Congregation Beth Ahavah sponsors a trip to Israel -
11 congregants go on the tour, despite suicide bombings
in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
|
|
August 1996
|
Congregation Beth Ahavah hosts the Northeast Regional
conference of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian
Jewish Organizations.
|
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1997
|
Fundraising begins for new rabbi position. Rabbi
Salary Fund Campaign initiated.
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1998
|
Ritual Committee proposes that the congregation hold
erev Shabbat services' every week beginning July 1998.
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February 1998
|
Membership reaches 150 members.
|
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November 1998
|
Congregation Beth Ahavah hires its first part-time rabbi.
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