Beginning in 1904, ten pious Jewish men, all recent immigrants from the pogroms and terrors of Eastern Europe, joined together in a rear room of a tailor shop on Mill Street in Bristol, Pa. to worship in freedom. In establishing a Congregation, they fulfilled the legacy of Bucks County’s patron and founder, William Penn, for everyone to worship God in their own way. As more immigrants came to Bristol following further unrest in Europe and the aftermath of World War I, the Congregation grew. In 1935, they purchased a building in the 100 block of Pond Street, where they established a Synagogue in which to worship. It was an unpretentious building, where the Rabbi lived on the first floor and taught Hebrew school to young children (mostly boys) on the second floor. The Sanctuary was located on the third floor of the building. After World War II, when family life was reestablished with men who had served their country in the armed forces of the United States, the Congregation grew larger. A larger building was needed to accommodate the burgeoning Jewish population. Through the generosity of several members, a plot of land was acquired, and a new, larger Synagogue building was built. This building contained four classrooms, the Rabbi’s study, a Sanctuary seating over 100 people, and a basement recreation area complete with basketball hoops and a stage. The Bristol Jewish Center is considered as belonging to the “Conservative” branch of Judaism, but in reality the congregation has taken bold steps to include everyone in the religious activities. The Congregation has decided to become an ADULT synagogue; to include women’s participation in the services; to join the Reconstructionist movement of Judaism and to accept students from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in Wyncote, PA. to serve as spiritual leaders. In fact, BJC was one of the first Jewish Congregations to accept a female Rabbi to conduct services; to include women to constitute a minion (10 people needed to pray in the Synagogue); to call women to the Torah (Bible) during religious services and to elect a woman as President of the Congregation. RRC students are admitted to the college only after they have earned an advanced degree in another discipline. Students who have served the Bristol Jewish Center have included Dentists, Physicians, Lawyers, Diplomats, business people and public school teachers. In addition, RRC students are required to spend a year of study in Hebrew and Philosophy in Israel before they graduate as Ordained Rabbis. Two years ago, The Bristol Jewish Center became handicap accessible both inside and outside, so those with disabilities can come into the Synagogue by means of a ramp, and approach the bema (altar) with a ramp. Also, see the recent focus on our anniversary celebration at the Bristol Borough web site: click here to see