BA site dedication

Marshall Weiss

The Dayton Jewish Observer

With a crowd worthy of a High Holy Days service, Beth Abraham Synagogue held the official site dedication for its future home at Sugar Camp in Oakwood, on Nov. 12.

The message from the city of Oakwood, following months of zoning and city council meetings marked by citizens’ vociferous concerns about the project, was one of warm welcome.

Along with Oakwood Mayor Judy Cook, City Manager Norbert Klopsch and the full city council were present.

“The expectation of Beth Abraham Synagogue anchoring the new neighborhood which will grow around it is exciting,” Cook said in her remarks. “Your presence will soon erase any strangeness that exists between us. With familiarity will come understanding and we will rejoice in the gifts you bring.”

Susie Katz, president of Beth Abraham, the Dayton area’s only Conservative synagogue, publicly praised the mayor for her support.

“Although some of us had never before tuned to CATV to watch the community television station, a few months ago, many of us did just that to watch the Oakwood City Council in action,” Katz said. “And what we saw was the head of that city’s government manage a meeting with grace and civility and the kind of wisdom that demands our respect.”

Beth Abraham has raised $5 million toward its capital campaign’s $7-million goal.