B'nai Israel Sisterhood photograph (1)
The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
The B’nai Israel Ladies Auxiliary held its first meeting on August 19, 1912. Among the organization’s first tasks were to make purchases that contributed to the beauty of the Congregation’s rented space in the East Liberty neighborhood. The Ladies Auxiliary formed and ran Sunday and Hebrew school programs, both of which served the East End Jewish community.[1]“A Message from Mrs. Barnett Davis,” Jewish Criterion, May 25, 1923, p. 14 (online). In 1920, the name was changed from the Ladies Auxiliary to the B’nai Israel Sisterhood, and the group became affiliated with the Women’s League of Conservative Judaism.
The women of the Sisterhood were instrumental in raising funds for the Congregation’s original building fund. After the synagogue building was erected at its Negley Street address, the Holy Ark was donated by the Sisterhood and was dedicated in its honor.
The women of the Sisterhood were involved in community organizations and activities. The B’nai Israel Sisterhood advocated for the development of kosher catering services in the city. The Sisterhood ran an adult education program and managed a gift shop, the proceeds of which were used to fund youth activities and scholarships.
The Sisterhood was a member of the National Women’s League of the United Synagogue of America, which later became the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. Members of the Sisterhood served as officers and committee members for this organization.
The Sisterhood began a Sunday school on September 22, 1920, with 53 students attending the first class. As the congregation grew along with the various East End neighborhoods’ Jewish community, more classes were added and the curriculum was expanded. A Hebrew school was formed, and a nursery school began to provide Jewish education for younger children. The education programs were open to the community at large and were not limited to the children of affiliated parents. In the 1980s, the title “The Jewish Learning Center” began to be used as an umbrella term for the educational programs.
In the late 1960s, with the encouragement of Rabbi Jack Schechter, the congregation began a United Synagogue Youth program. United Synagogue Youth is an organization affiliated with the Conservative movement’s United Synagogue of America. The youth of B’nai Israel Congregation organized events both within their synagogue, and in collaboration with other Pittsburgh chapters. They also participated in regional and national events such as conferences, leadership trainings, and camp.
Presidents of B’nai Israel Sisterhood include Annie Jacobs Davis (1912-1932), Lillie Scheinman (1932-1935), Dorothy Scheinman (1932-1935), Diana Giffen (1935-1939), Sarah Abrams (1939-1941), Annetta Marks Horwitz (1941-1944), Rhea Simon Wesoky (1944-1947), Rose Schreiber Berman (1947-1951), Belle K. Slavkin (1951-1954), Edith S. Shanblatt (1954-1957), Jennie Freeman Palley (1957-1958), Edith Bart Grinberg (1958-1960), Dorothy Kart Rosenberg (1960-1962), Sylvia W. Smizik (1962-1964), Shirley Weisbrode Kass (1964-1966), Adele Litman Fierman (1966-1969), Mimi Smith Kalson (1968-1970), Ruth A. Shelkrot (1971-1973), Doris Deaktor Binstock (1973-1976), Maxine Abrams Horn (1976-1978), Jacklyn K. Wagner (1978-1980), Beverly Botnik Slater (1980-1982), Linda L. Levine (1982-1985), Sue Schreiber (1985-1987), Beryll S. Grinberg (1987-1989), Irene S. Louik (1989-1991), Marcia G. Himmel (1991-1994), Anne Horn Stewart (1994-1995), Edith K. Casar (1994-1996), and Edith Schwartz Singer (1994-1996).
