Reform Jewish Congregation
The roots of Congregation Beth David extend back more than a century and a half, to a time when Jews from France and Germany came to this area, established family-run businesses, became landowners and created a flourishing Jewish life. In 1879, a Jewish Sabbath school was organized by the Jewish women of the community, serving twenty to thirty children weekly in the Odd Fellows Hall. Jeanette Sinsheimer was one of the founders. In March of 1886, the local press noted a Purim operetta presented by the Hebrew Sabbath School at the Lytton Theatre on Monterey Street, across the street from the Sinsheimer Brothers store. Five years later, a newspaper account listed 20 Jewish families and told of more than 100 people attending High Holiday services conducted by Abraham Blochman in the Masonic Hall.
Generations changed, families moved, and in the early 1900s Jewish influence and population diminished, but then a second migration of Jews arrived - thousands of Jewish servicemen trained for World War II at Camp Cooke, Camp San Luis Obispo and Camp Roberts, and a Jewish communal organization was created to serve their needs. Post-war, attention went to organizing a network of Jewish people and groups into the Amity Club that spanned from Paso Robles to Santa Maria.
Congregation Beth David is a Reform Jewish Congregation which seeks to provide an environment where a wide range of Jews will feel welcome and comfortable and be active in their practice of Judaism.
Our religious and educational programs and social activities for all ages and backgrounds encourage members to integrate Jewish values into their everyday life. In so doing, our members foster Judaism in San Luis Obispo County, help our children develop stronger Jewish identities, and nurture spirituality within and beyond the Jewish community.
