HISTORY

THE EVOLUTION OF BETH SHIR SHALOM

Home of the Song of Peace

         The streets of a densely populated, but quiet, neighborhood in Santa Monica, just north of Wilshire and within two miles of the beach, are lined with flourishing trees and a mix of stucco apartment buildings and houses.  It is a neighborhood that typifies the area…. except for one thing; nestled in the middle of it sits a very active temple called Beth Shir Shalom (BSS).

            Life inside Beth Shir Shalom is bevy of activity, highlighted by Shabbat services in the sanctuary or in the gan shalom (Garden of Peace). On weekdays the classrooms are filled with children attending the Temple’s highly acclaimed and accredited Early Childhood Center.  Twice a week and on Sundays the Religious School and Youth Group activities occupy the classrooms and social hall.

            Adult education classes (part of BSS yoU),  Torah study and congregants rehearsing as members of the choir or unique “TishTones” band, add to the positive energy and feeling of community within the Temple.

            Beth Shir Shalom’s history began with a small Jewish congregation that had been gathering in the Unitarian Church of Santa Monica for Shabbat services. On January 17 of 1939, 14 members of that congregation decided to meet in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Markowitz to discuss a plan to build a synagogue.   With a loan partially funded by MGM movie mogul, Louis B. Mayer, the two-story building was constructed at the northwest corner of 19th & California Streets.  It was named “Beth Sholom Temple,” glimmering as a shining light in those dark days leading up to WWII and the Nazi horror.  The first Shabbat service was held on May 1, 1942.  Laurence A. Block, a teacher of religion and philosophy at Santa Monica College, became the Temple’s spiritual leader in 1949, serving Beth Sholom for the next 28 years.

            Almost 41 years to the day after that gathering in the Markowitz’s home, meetings of a similar nature were taking place in the homes of various families in West Los Angeles.  Those were spearheaded by Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels, a young and energetic progressive rabbi with a love for music and a passionate sensitivity to many of the world’s social issues.  These gatherings were the result of a wedding he had presided over. The Rabbi had conducted a local interfaith wedding, after which the couple expressed admiration for the service.  This was especially gratifying to Comess-Daniels, and in a moment of celebration they spontaneously said, “let’s form a synagogue!” 

            In the days that followed, Comess-Daniels could not let go of the idea and, characteristic of his makeup, promptly took action.  After exploring the possibilities with others, Temple Shir Shalom was formed

within a year (in 1981) with Rabbi Comess-Daniels conducting services.

The Temple was initially located at a West Los Angeles swimming school, earning a lighthearted reference as “the shul with the pool.”

            Shir Shalom quickly became known for its music, creative liturgy and focus on social action programs, which included weekly public anti-nuclear war vigils (in which Rabbi Neil could be seen actively demonstrating).  The resulting high profile quickly expanded Shir Shalom’s membership to one that outgrew the facility.  A new home was found in the basement social hall of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in nearby Mar Vista. No pool, but a lot more room.

            Shir Shalom remained in place for nearly a decade, but again began to outgrow its home.  When Beth Sholom Temple began a search to replace their Rabbi who was leaving for a pulpit outside of Los Angeles, it was the perfect opportunity for a merger of the two congregations

             “We had always wanted to merge with you, but neither of us can afford two rabbis,” Comess-Daniels was told.  So, in 1991, Shir Shalom and Beth Sholom became Temple Beth Shir Shalom:  Home of the Song of Peace,” and Neil Comess-Daniels became not only its rabbi, but also its heart.

           Temple Beth Shir Shalom stands as a welcome home to people with diverse backgrounds who approach their Judaism with different needs and expectations.  It is a community of learning, friendship, connecting and a commitment to social action.  Services, as well as many temple-related activities, ring out with joyous music and all abound with energy, creativity and personality.