Rabbi Bachman on his blog, Water Over Rocks, reflects on Rosh Hashanah, which begins today, and the beginnings of Congregation Beth Elohim 150 years ago.

At sundown this evening, Congregation Beth Elohim joins Jewish community’s world-wide in celebrating the New Year 5773.

This is a special time for our synagogue, which commemorates its 150th year since it’s founding in 1862. Our Founders journeyed to Brooklyn from Central Europe and built a beacon of Learning, Prayer and Good Deeds in the midst of a nation that was at Civil War; African Americans were enslaved; and women were denied the right to vote. Whereas one founding family made buttons for Union Army jackets, future members helped integrate the U.S. Armed Forces, integrated schools, and today we remain active, as a Jewish community, fulfilling the Prophet’s vision that “Mine House Shall Be An House of Prayer for All People.” And finally, to celebrate our 150 years in Brooklyn, we are commissioning the writing of a new Torah Scroll–the first of its kind in the history of New York City–to be written entirely by a female scribe. The year of celebration begins on October 7.