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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 215-887-134

BETH SHOLOM CONGREGATION
8231 Old York Road
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Beth Sholom Congregation to be designated a National Historic Landmark

April 4, 2007: This morning, the Secretary of the Interior signed the documents to officially make Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA a National Historic Landmark. (For the official press release sent by the Department of Interior and the National Parks Services, please visit http://www.cr.nps.gov/nhl/)

On Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 10:00 am, the National Park Service will present Beth Sholom with its official certificate. The public is invited to attend this free event, which will also include speeches from elected officials, guides available for questions and a reception.

This process, which has taken over a year to complete, is a very exciting honor for not only the congregation, but the entire community as well. The NHL committee unanimously voted in October 2006 for the pre-approval from the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior. This designation recognizes Frank Lloyd Wright's design of Beth Sholom Synagogue as an important building both historically and culturally in America. As a National Historic Landmark, Beth Sholom will be nationally recognized as a destination location, which will impact national awareness of the building, tourism, as well as opportunities for grants and funding,

Beth Sholom Synagogue is the only synagogue that Wright ever designed. Wright accepted the commission in September 1953 to design a suburban synagogue after being approached then president of the congregation, Mortimer Cohen. Groundbreaking took place in 1954. The structure is a testament to Wright's brilliant creatively and distinctive use of materials. Combining Jewish values and American design influences, Wright conceived at modern Mount Sinai created of concrete, steel, aluminum and glass. Since the time of its completion, the congregation has used the building for religious and cultural purposes.

National Historic Landmarks are buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that have been determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be nationally significant in American history and culture. All National Historic Landmarks are included in the National Register, which is the official list of the Nation's historic properties worthy of preservation. Landmarks constitute more than 2,300 of almost 76,000 entries in the National Register; the others are of State and local significance.

To celebrate this important designation, Beth Sholom will also celebrate with a gala Landmark Ball on Saturday evening, May 5, 2007 at 8:30 pm. Please contact the synagogue office at 215-887-1342 for more information about this event.