BJ History
BJ History
Beth Jacob was founded in 1913 in Montpelier. A documented hangs in our community room which reads in Yiddish, "These are the laws and rules of Congregation Bais Yaakov [Beth Jacob] in Montpelier and Barre, Vermont, established in the year 1913."
Beth Jacob was named for a Montpelier youth who died in a tragic accident on his tenth birthday in 1908. Jacob Yett, son of Isaac Yett of Fuller Street, a co-owner of the American Clothing Company in Montpelier, was hit in the head by ice falling off the roof of the Union School. Jacob was the oldest of six children and a member of the extended Yett family of Montpelier that included his uncle, Harris Yett, who was instrumental in obtaining the building for the congregation.
On October 14, 1914, Harris Yett, I. Hendelman, and E.L. Segel filed articles of association for "Congregation Base Yaucove." A month later, on November 30, 1914, the three leaders as trustees for the congregation purchased the land and premises from Oughtney and Basiles Jangraw on Harrison Avenue.
There are no records that document the conversion of the house at 10 Harrison Avenue, but it became the house of worship for the Jews of Montpelier and Barre. It also housed living quarters under the eaves for a rabbi when the congregation could afford one. There was even a mikvah in the backyard as is evidenced by two chunks of concrete that are still on the property.
According to a 1972 article in the Times-Argus, an addition was built onto the building to house a community room in 1967. Tradition holds that this space was originally a shed or barn, and indeed maps from as early as 1909 show a structure off the back of the main building.
For many years the sanctuary was furnished with theater seats that had been reclaimed from a local movie theater that being renovated. In 1987 the theater seats were removed and replaced by comfortable moveable chairs that permitted the religious school to rearrange the space for classes.
The back room was eventually named for Daughly Gould, a local businessman and the first Jewish mayor of Montpelier. In 1990 the Daughly Gould room underwent extensive renovations. At that time an enclosed entryway was added that consolidated the two previous entrances to the building and simplified access to the sanctuary and community room. That portion of the building remained standing during the rebuilding of the synagogue in 2010. In 2015 this portion of the building was replaced by the current community room and kitchen.
Thu, June 8 2023
19 Sivan 5783
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
JunJune 8 , 2023
Thursday, Jun 8th 3:00p to 4:00p
Please join us as we sing a short song from the Psalms, sit for twenty minutes, walk for ten minutes, then sing another Hebrew song. Sometimes a brief discussion follows. Words to songs are supplied in Hebrew and transliteration. All are welcomed whatever your experience may be. We do not offer instructions or guided meditations. -
Friday ,
JunJune 9 , 2023
Friday, Jun 9th 1:30p to 3:00p
Mah Jongg is back! Join in on the fun with this beloved tile-based game. -
Friday ,
JunJune 9 , 2023
Friday, Jun 9th 6:00p to 7:30p
Alice Silverman, Tobie Weisman and Julia Ostrov invite you to join us for a special Singing Edition of 3 Blessings and a Potluck this Shabbat. After we bless and eat, we will sing! We will teach easy rounds, simple harmony chants, and songs by ear. We will choose from well known traditional Hebrew songs as well as contemporary pieces. We also invite you to bring any song you love to share and teach. We hope you will join us. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 11 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 11th 10:00a to 11:30a
Members of Beth Jacob are invited to come and meet at the synagogue for bagels, budgets, the Barasch award, board elections, and lots of reports from our various committees. It’s been a busy, productive year – come learn all about it. -
Tuesday ,
JunJune 13 , 2023
Tuesday, Jun 13th 9:30a to 10:30a
Join us for a weekly opportunity to chat and do a NYT's crossword puzzle together on Zoom.