Synagogue for Congregation Beth El
We are currently in the middle of a project to rebuild the synagogue for our congregation. The previous facility (click here for pictures and information about our previous home) was closed in February, 2005. During the past year, we have held religious services at the Universalist Unitarian facilities in Northumberland, at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, and at Bucknell University in Lewisburg.
This is a historic project, representing the first synagogue designed by world-famous architect Robert Venturi. Fund-raising continues for the project; if you would like to be part of this exciting project, donations can be made online by clicking on the following: DONATE HERE. Alternately, checks can be sent either to our Treasurer or to our President (see our ``Contacts'' page for mailing information). Additional information can be provided by our Vice-President Jan Byron who is chairing the campaign committee.
Construction photos (most recent first)
- September 21, 2007:The synagogue opens for business!! Torahs return home,
preparations for Yom Kippur, some evening photos.
Click here for update, including more pictures. 
- September 12, 2007:Putting on the final touches ...
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- August 22, 2007:Cabinets, toilets, and courtyard
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- August 2, 2007:Entrance arcade almost completed.
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- July 19, 2007:Venturi-signature entrance, interior work.
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- July 5, 2007:More glass, front door, etc.
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- June 21, 2007:Interior walls, more masonry, and some glass.
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- May 31, 2007: Construction on Venturi signature-entrance, dry
walls inside building, and bathroom plumbing.
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- May 17, 2007:Chicks with bricks come. Chicks with blocks come. Chicks with brick and blocks and ducts come.
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- May 3, 2007:Construction is underway again!
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- March 26, 2007: Construction temporarily on hold during
winter season.
Click here for update, which actually doesn't say much more. - December 21, 2006: Glass-board installed on exterior
of building.
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- December 8, 2006: Concrete sub-floor, plumbing and
roof work.
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- November 22, 2006: Better pictures of steel frame of new
building.
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- November 18, 2006: Steel frame is being erected.
Click here for update, including more (poor-quality) pictures. 
- November 3, 2006: Outside of foundation complete.
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- October 26, 2006: More pix of the footers.
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- October 19, 2006: Digging of trenches and pouring
of concrete.
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- September 30, 2006: Foundation work has begun.
Click here for update. (No pictures for this update.) - August 29, 2006: Demolition phase completed, second
ground-breaking ceremony to start the construction phase.
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Links to articles and reports about ground-breaking:
Click here for Daily Item article from August 29, 2006. - August 17, 2006: Basements of old sanctuary and social
hall filled in.
Click here for update, including more pictures and a narrative. 
- July 26, 2006: Purchase of the building next door completed;
clearing of site continues.
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- July 14, 2006: The old building is now completely down.
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- July 13, 2006: Major demolition in progress.
Click here for update, including more pictures and a narrative. 
- Wednesday, June 28, 2006: Ground-breaking and start
of demolition.
Demolition of previous building commences. Click here for pictures of the ground-breaking ceremony. 
Links to articles and reports about ground-breaking:
- Pictures of ground-breaking ceremony.
- Daily Item, 6/29/2006. ``Demolition begins on Congregation Beth El synagogue.''
- Daily Item, 6/27/2006. ``Congregation Beth El: Ground to be Broken for Synagogue Wednesday''
- Daily Item, 6/15/2006. ``Congregation Beth El: New building planned after 100-year-old synagogue razed.''
Check this page for updates on construction of our new synagogue.