The Post-Second World War Years
After the Second World War, about twelve Holocaust survivors came to Kitchener and put down roots. These new families added to the size and diversity of the community. Other than a few arrivals from other centres in Ontario, the community was largely self-perpetuating. The mid-century mark brought some concern that the second generation might not take their elders’ places in the traditional structure of the synagogue, but some of the original pioneers’ sons became presidents of Beth Jacob. These included Mort and Nat Budd, Dave Acker, Eddy Weiss, Alec Orzy, Jack Rosen, Joe Brown, Burke Brown and Max Brown.
The first group Bat Mitzvah, officiated by Rabbi Rosensweig, was held at Beth Jacob in 1956. Like most Bat Mitzvahs in Orthodox congregations, the service adhered to Jewish law in that girls read a speech but did not stand on the Bimah or read from the Torah. The first to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah were Ruthann Bierstock, Renée Kronis, Bonnie Acker, Mona Mausberg and Jill Budd. The Beth Jacob Sisterhood established a tradition at this event of presenting each girl with a new siddur.
