National Register Listing

B'er Chayim Temple

Union and S. Centre Sts, Cumberland, MD

The first documented mention of Jewish settlers in Cumberland was in 1816, when the Episcopalian and Presbyterian congregations asked for donations towards building a church. Among those who gave generously were" . . . three Roman Catholics and one Hebrew...
According to the B'er Chayim centennial publication, "By 1853 twelve Jewish families were known to be in Cumberland, which then had a population of 6,150. This was enough to warrant the establishment of a congregation and on April 27 of that year, this little group first met for that purpose. " On May 23, 1853 the legislature of Maryland incorporated the B'er Chayim Congregation.

A writer for a Jewish newspaper attended the celebration of the congregation's incorporation and noted thirty men and twenty women meeting in a Baltimore Street building that was "neatly arranged" and "suitable for the object in view. " In the same year as their incorporation the congregation purchased land for a cemetery on Baltimore Pike.

In 1858 the congregation moved to Semme's Law Building on Washington Street. Land for a temple at Union and South Centre Streets was purchased by the congregation in October of 1865. John B. Walton, a locally "prominent contractor" built the synagogue in 1866.
Lowdermilk wrote in 1877 of a membership of twenty and eighty "pew holders, " Thomas and Williams, in 1923, noted the steady growth of Cumberland's Jewish community that numbered 100 families.

A brief description of the character of the congregation is given in The Anniversary Story, published in 1953:

Although the early Jewish community no doubt started as orthodox, the movement of reform then abroad in the land was early felt in Cumberland and old customs and symbols were gradually discarded... the separation of men and women at services was no longer felt necessary even before 1867.... As time went on the definite dissatisfaction with the old forms and ceremonies of the service produced many changes. Yet, at all times Sabbath observance was insisted upon and generally practiced. The question of covering the head during divine services was argued bitterly and with zeal until about 1875, when it was voted to discontinue the practice.

As some of the old dissidents moved away or passed onto their eternal reward, the Congregation became more conscious of itself as an American Jewish Institution instead of a European adaptation."

After the turn of the century, changes in "old forms and the old rituals" were more pronounced. The Rabbi with the longest term of service to B'er Chayim Congregation was Dr. Morris Baron, a graduate of Harvard and Columbia Universities. He was rabbi from 1906 to 1921, when he became a lawyer. In addition to his rabbinical duties Dr. Baron taught ancient languages, German, and history at the Allegany Academy.

The impressive western facade features a pedimented box cornice with modillions. Four brick pilasters, with corbeling and caps, define and give depth to this main facade. The original portion of the Temple is architecturally effective yet retains a simplicity in form and decoration that reflects the orthodoxy of the congregation that built it. Conversely, the turn of the century addition, with decorative moldings, double row brick arches, mansard facing, and umbrage porch, is a reflection of the more liberal attitudes of reform Judaism practiced by subsequent congregations. Here it can be seen that although the earliest part of the temple retains much of its original appearance, the congregation which its serves has changed with the times. The building as it stands today is a monument to the early Jewish residents of Cumberland and to the changing character of religious beliefs over the last century and a quarter.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.