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Thinking Of Moving Here?

Nestled in a valley and mountainside at the beginning of the Pocono Mountains lies a gem of a town : beautiful, historic, tranquil Bethlehem, close to Philadelphia (1hr) and New York City (1hr. 20 min.). The housing costs are very low especially when compared to any area in North Jersey ! Taxes are very low , crime rate is low and the city offers a rich array of services usually not found in smaller towns. There is an abundance of kosher shopping, and close by is the Allentown Jewish day school. The best part of all is the shul itself! This is a small, warm and cozy orthodox synagogue with a much admired beautiful interior.

History Of The Synagogue

The shul started out as Congregation Agudath Achim in late 1920 in the crowded back of David Millers' furniture store. On January 31st 1921 the certification of corporation was issued and it started to take off. For the next 45 years it was a vibrant synagogue that offered the only Orthodox services in town to the jewish residents of South Side Bethlehem on 437 Webster Street on the beginnning of the South Mountain. In May 1965 it moved to its current location in the borough of Edgeboro which then became a part of Bethlehem. The building still has its original woodwork.

By the early 70's Bethlehem steel and the congregation started to dwindle, and by 1977 there was no rabbi and the synagogue had declined. For about 2 decades since then it was considered a closed facility. Perparations were made to dispose of the assets and it seemed that all was lost! Then in September of 2003 Bob Trotner hired the shul's first rabbi in 25 years! Suddenly it changed completely . By Passover 2004 there were several congregants consisting of mostly children, teens and young adults as its members.

Passover 2004 the congregation was renamed Beth Avraham after its first rabbi; Rabbi Avraham Mowitz who served 30 years with distinction to this wonderful Synagogue. It is basically a modern orthodox synagogue that combines the traditional service with a very informal, easy going atmosphere with small town friendliness. No one is ever made to feel unwelcome, and a position on the board is always reserved for a youth (18-30). The congregation is growing, new people are joining - come see what the excitement is about!