Temple Beth Israel Through the Years
1920s – 1930s
After WWI, Jewish families settle in Pomona Valley, many operating orchard groves, vineyards, chicken ranches, dairies, and downtown businesses.
1926 – First minyan. Members meet in homes and rented spaces.
August 20, 1931 – 18 men sign articles of incorporation for the Jewish Center of Pomona and Surrounding Territory, also known as the Pomona-Ontario Jewish Center.
September 1931 – First High Holy Day services are held over a storefront in Pomona.
1940s
Anonymous benefactor donates a small building at 1009 West 2nd Street, Pomona, our first synagogue.
May 1945. First Shabbat service in new building.
1947. To accommodate an influx of younger Jewish families after World War II, we break ground on a larger building at 456 W. Orange Grove, Pomona.
1950s
1950. The Orange Grove building opens as Beth Israel Community Center, later Temple Beth Israel Community Center. Administrative offices are above the Rexall Drug Store in Pomona.
1958. With help from congregants Ralph and Goldie Lewis, we acquire land on N. Towne Avenue in Pomona to build a new home for our growing congregation.
1960s
1960-1962. During construction of the 3033 N. Towne Avenue building, we meet at the nearby United Church of Christ. Construction costs $160,000.
Our new building is dedicated during Hanukkah. The church generously returns the maintenance fees we’ve paid, and we use the funds to commission artwork on the large tablets on either side of the ark.
1980s
1983. TBI Preschool opens in a religious school classroom (now the meeting room at the end of the Administration wing).
June 1985. After a feasibility study on moving east, we decide instead to expand and modernize the current facility. We launch a 5-year, $1.5 million campaign to build a new education complex and library, remodel the social hall, the sanctuary, the lobby, and administrative offices.
February 1988. Groundbreaking. During construction, services are held at the Claremont Presbyterian Church, which generously donates use of its facilities.
April 1989. Dedication of new Education Building and remodeled sanctuary and social hall.
1990s
The sanctuary receives a makeover which includes repainted tablets, new ark doors, new carpet and new pews to replace chairs.
More info coming soon!
2000s
Mortgage retired with proceeds from selling land donated to the synagogue by friend of TBI, Rosa Schwartz, and our TBI Legacy Campaign, which included a matching grant from the Lewis Family.
75th anniversary celebration at Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College
More info coming soon!
2020s
March 2020. We adapt to Covid-19 pandemic with Friday night Zoom services and weeknight Zoom gatherings for comfort and socializing while the campus remains closed.
January 2024. The Ohr Chadash Capital Campaign begins, to fund renovations of our key gathering spaces, both inside and out.
More info coming soon!