Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid

The history of Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid (CBINT) is one of community building, adaptation, and triumph over adversity. The second wave of Jewish immigrants from Eastern European countries arrived in the late 1800's. Over 1.5 million Orthodox Jews settled in Milwaukee between 1881 and 1910. From these settlers, faithful would eventually come to form Congregation Beth Israel (CBI). Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid’s earliest ancestor is B’ne Jacob, founded in 1884. Another common point of origin identified by CBINT was the Moses Montefiore Gemeinde Congregation, which was established in 1886. In 1891, Moses Montefiore Gemeinde combined with Anshe Jacob, also established in 1886, due to low membership at both congregations founding Beth Hamedrash Hagodol. Beth Hamedrash Hagodol was a successful congregation for 10 years. This successful beginning would soon be complicated by finances. Struggling to pay for the mortgage on the new property, the synagogue was forced into foreclosure. To preserve their synagogue, Beth Hamedrash Hagodol officially disbanded and reincorporated as Beth Israel in 1901. Similar to other Jewish congregations in Milwaukee, Beth Israel would move to several locations over time. First, they were located in the Hay Market neighborhood of Milwaukee. In 1924, the congregation moved to Teutonia Ave in Milwaukee’s North Division neighborhood. In 1962, Congregation Beth Israel settled at 6880 North Green Bay Avenue in Glendale, WI, its current location. Soon after the move to Glendale, Congregation Beth Israel would start anew as a Conservative synagogue. Reflecting the tenants of Conservative Judaism of tradition and change, the congregation slowly incorporated new elements to their practice such as the changing roles of women within the service. They have also been active with the wider international Jewish community. Congregation Beth Israel merged with Congregation Beth El Ner Tamid in 2012, creating Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid (CBINT).

You can read more about Beth Israel's full history here.