Old newspaper advertisements reveal that Jewish residents in Winchester came and went until the Civil War. The first Jew to put down roots was Joseph Hable who started a mercantile business here in 1870. A few years later, his brother Solomon joined him – and it was Solomon who stayed and prospered.

More merchants arrived over the next 30 years. Then, in 1908, the small community – many of whose descendents are still in Winchester – launched formal religious services. In 1932, the first Men’s Club was formed, affiliating with B’nai B’rith in 1938. By 1950, religious school classes began. And in 1954, our present synagogue building was dedicated.

Two years later, Beth El Congregation joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now called Union of Reform Judaism. In the early years, rabbinical students and guest rabbis conducted services. In 1991, we hired our first full-time spiritual leader, Rabbi Dan Isaac.

This year, Beth El had the good fortune to welcome Rabbi Scott Sperling to the pulpit. Rabbi Sperling comes to us with many years of experience as a congregational rabbi, teacher, and published columnist. Most recently, he served the Union of Reform Judaism as Interim Executive Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America, and prior to that as Director of the Mid-Atlantic Council. Rabbi Sperling's column CyberTribes is published in Jewish newspapers across the country.