Facilities

The present Beth Sholom Sanctuary in Elkins Park was completed in 1959 and dedicated in September of that year. It is the only synagogue ever designed by the renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, who was commissioned to build "An American Synagogue" by the Beth Sholom Board of Directors. To accomplish this goal, he worked in concert with the late Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen. The Main Sanctuary is a unique house of worship-- a beit tefillah-- that seats 1,020. The Sisterhood Sanctuary located downstairs, replicates the Main Sanctuary on a smaller scale and seats 242. Warm and intimate, it is used most Friday nights and during the Summer months when congregants lead the service. Year round the Sisterhood Sanctuary hosts our children's services.

Beth Sholom's presidents are honored in the Presidents Lounge where their photo portraits are hung alongside the dates of their service. Receptions and meetings are held here, as well as Summer Oneg Shabbat. The Robin Lounge, located on the other side of the Sisterhood Sanctuary, is similarly used for meetings and social gatherings. It houses historic archival materials and serves as a setting for bridal parties to prepare for their wedding ceremony. The lovely Shoenfeld Gardens grace the exterior of the Sanctuary building, providing an area for informal study groups and quiet contemplation. The Coslov Gardens are a recent addition to the beauty of our grounds and a recently dedicated Holocaust memorial sculpture has been installed opposite the garden. The Mildred Matzkin Atrium provides a beautiful outdoor setting for the Sukkah, for receptions and many outdoor activities, including those of the Summer Preschool Program.

The Sheerr Religious School Building and the Samuel and Anna Cross Annex house schools, classrooms, the administrative offices, and two auditoriums: the N. Herman Bornstein Auditorium, located in the Samuel and Anna Cross Annex and the Fischman Memorial Auditorium, the largest multi-use room in the complex. It is used by our Youth Programs, Auxiliaries, and as a meeting and social hall, the Fischman Memorial Auditorium is especially lovely for weddings and bar and bat mitzvah receptions. A choice of outstanding kosher caterers is available to our members through Barclay Caterers, Betty the Caterer, and Food Designs by Axelrod and Bennett.

The beautiful Clara Newmark Gift Shop, operated by volunteers from the Beth Sholom Sisterhood, sells unique gift items and religious articles, many imported from Israel. The Abraham and Sarah Price Chapel is a warm, intimate room used by the Minyanaires for daily prayer-- morning and evening-- and for smaller weddings. Beth Sholom provides facilities for religious, educational, social and communal activities throughout the year.