Trowel
Object number2023.110.5
Date1950-1959
MediumMetal; Wood; Paint
Credit LineGift of Beth Israel Congregation
DescriptionCommemorative trowel. Smooth, flat, shiny silver metal blade with engraved commemorative text on top. Blade is a quadrilateral in a rounded offset diamond shape (kite-shape). Silver metal frog and tang attach to brown wooden handle. Wooden handle is cylindrical and narrows toward rounded end and blade end which is painted gold.DimensionsHeight x Width x Length: 2.375 x 4.813 x 15.5 in. (6 x 12.2 x 39.4 cm)InscriptionsTop of blade has engraved text "Beth Israel Synagogue / AND CENTER / CORNER STONE LAYING / CEREMONIES / And they shall dwell / in the house of the lord".
Historical NotesCommemorative trowel used at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the second Beth Israel Congregation synagogue on North Avenue in the 1950s. Part of a collection from Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pennsylvania. Beth Israel Congregation was founded in Washington, Pa. in 1890. The congregation initially rented meeting space until dedicating a synagogue in the downtown area in 1902. With the growth of the local Jewish community, the congregation dedicated a new synagogue in 1955 designed by Alexander Sharove. Spiritual leaders of the congregation include Rabbi Jacob Goldfarb, Rabbi Maxwell Berger, Rabbi Israel Goodman, Rabbi Jakob Patuchowski, Rabbi Jacob Sober, Rabbi Daniel Lowy, Rabbi Marc E. Samuals, Rabbi David J. Matzner, Rabbi Aryeh Weinman, and Rabbi Albert A. Goldman. As the Jewish population of Washington County began to decline starting the 1960s, Beth Israel Congregation increasingly became the home of Jewish families in nearby communities, such as Canonsburg.
Previous owner
Beth Israel Congregation
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American Safety Table Company
World Tableware Inc.
