How sweet the Torah at Beth Shalom

Temple Beth Shalom is located at 298 Madrona Street in Chula Vista
Temple Beth Shalom is located at 208 Madrona Street in Chula Vista
Arlene LaGary, Rabbi Samuel, and Jorge Bernal
Arlene LaGary, Rabbi Samuel, and Jorge Bernal

By Donald H. Harrison

CHULA VISTA, California — Congregant Luz Guadarrama of Temple Beth Shalom baked up a surprise for Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel: a cake shaped to look like a Torah.  The Conservative rabbi turns 61 on August 6th.

Arlene LaGary, the president of Temple Beth Shalom, was joined by Jorge Bernal in making the presentation in the congregation’s social hall, where a dairy buffet luncheon was served in honor of the occasion following morning Shabbat services on Saturday, August 2.

Founded in 1958  at its same location at 208 Madrona Street, Temple Beth Shalom is the oldest synagogue building in continuous use in San Diego County.  All the local congregations that predate it-Beth Israel, Tifereth Israel, Beth Jacob and Beth El–have relocated at least once and sometimes twice in their history.

There has been one historic change to the congregation, however.  When it was founded, the congregation was called Temple Beth “Sholom,” using an Ashkenezic spelling (with two o’s) of the Hebrew word for peace.  Samuel changed the final word in the the name to “Shalom,” which is the Sephardic spelling of the word.  The rabbi explained that Sephardic pronunciations are used in Israel and throughout the world, and that he wanted the congregation to project a more inclusive image.

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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World.  He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com