60th Anniversary History Nuggets

The Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library was dedicated, a year after his death. Dr. Levinson was a lay cantor and bar/bat mitzvah tutor for 13 years.
Rabbi Daniel Pressman hired, following Rabbi Jerry Danzig. Rabbi Pressman served for 33 years.

1977 – Rama Strod became the religious school principal, and served for 21 years
1979 – Ground breaking for new sanctuary
1980 – Dedication of the new sanctuary and first services

Women were granted equal rights and obligations within the congregation; B’nai Mitzvah serve as Ba-alei Kriah at High Holy Day Services.
Saratoga site was purchased from the Church of Ascension.

1965: First edition of the Beth David Star (edited by Len and Olga Farber)
1965: First Building Fund ($10,000 from 13 families)
1968: Hebrew School becomes a three-day per week program with Henrietta Oberndoerfer as the school administrator.

January 1963: First services were conducted by Herb Dreifuss and Nat Kallman–first sermon led by Jerry Daniel
February 1963: Hebrew Class was taught by Ruth Dreifuss at Harvey and Mildred Katz’s home
February 1963: First Sisterhood meeting was held in February 1963. Mildred Katz was President
September 18, 1963: First High Holy Day Services were held led by Rabbi Josef Zeitin
October 1963: First Sisterhood Newsletter was published in October 1963 called The Chai Line
October 3, 1964: First Bar Mitzvah – Jonathan Meltzer, the son of Henrietta and Harold Meltzer
August 1964: Congregation Beth David affiliated with the United Synagogue of America