Here's a sample of what to look forward to:
2:00 pm Saturday afternoon - Visitors will board an antique trolley at Rocky Gap for the brief ride into Downtown Cumberland and to the Temple. If you wish, you may use your own vehicle and have the ability to visit other highlights of downtown Cumberland, such as galleries, shopping, C&O Canal Museum, Western MD Railway Station, and Washington's Headquarters.
left-2007 interior right-1928 interior
left-2008 exterior right-1890 exterior
Tour of B'er Chayim
B'er Chayim was built in the modified Greek Revival style in 1867, and is the oldest continuously operating congregational building in the state of Maryland. It serves as the only Jewish house of worship between Altoona, PA, Morgantown, WV, Hagerstown, MD & Winchester, VA. B'er Chayim is the last surviving congregation of four that once existed in Western MD. It honors the past congregations of
Beth El, B'nai Israel and Beth Jacob Synagogues by continuing to use and display ceremonial items from each.
Rabbi Sniderman will conduct a tour of the Sanctuary, will share brief histories of items such as our Torahs, Yahrzeit tablets, memorial windows, artifacts and will answer questions.
In the social hall (Vestry) we will display an exhibit on loan from the Jewish Museum of Maryland entitled "Cornerstones of our Communities...The Historic Synagogues of Maryland, 1845-1945".
Refreshments will be served and additional historical objects will be on display.
As time permits, a narrated trolley tour of the Historic District of Cumberland will be conducted before returning to the Rocky Gap Lodge.
Learn the answers to these fascinating questions!!
1) Did Washington sleep here?
2) During what time period did the Temple house both the Rabbi's home and the Offices of the Board of Education?
3) Did East View Cemetery inter Civil War soldiers and where are those soldiers buried now?
4) What do Henrietta Szold and the Marx Brothers have in common?
