History and Present Day

  • Temple Beth-El has a long history of social activism and community engagement.

Temple’s rabbis have been involved with the greater South Bend community since our early days.  Rabbi Cronbach worked to raise funds for the South Bend Associated Charities and the Anti-Tuberculosis League; Rabbi Shulman stood in the forefront of civil rights struggles, and now has a South Bend Housing Authority building named in his honor; Rabbi Rosenstock spoke out agains the Vietnam war; Rabbi Feinstein was active in anti-Klan and anti-violence efforts; Rabbi Siroka spearheaded interfaith cooperation and served as President of the United Religious Community. Temple Beth-El’s name continues to be known in the wider community through involvement of Rabbi Companez and congregants in numerous civic and interfaith organizations.