In the summer of 1990, Beth Jacob Congregation of New Kensington was planning the upcoming Religious School year for a total of twelve students. A few of the families realized that although the synagogue could provide an outstanding religious education for its children, it could no longer provide the added benefit of being involved with a larger group of Jewish children. This predicament and the desire to provide the best environment in which to raise and teach the twelve children is what ultimately led to the establishment of Adat Shalom.

The Beth Jacob Religious School/Fox Chapel opened its doors in the all of 1990 at the Fox Chapel Methodist Church. Twelve students began the inaugural year, and the count swelled to 48 by year's end. Quadrupling the student body in one year was regarded as an overwhelming success. But most important, the quiet rumblings about a synagogue in Fox Chapel began.

Simultaneously, B'nai Israel of Pittsburgh's East End found itself with a similar challenge -- a decreasing student body due to changing demographics. For year two, the congregations joined in partnership under the banner of Beth Jacob-B'nai Israel Jewish Learning Center. With enrollment hitting 98, the desire grew for a local synagogue. Adding to the momentum, the B'nai Israel preschool, with eleven children, moved to the Presbyterian Church in Aspinwall, expanded its name to B'nai Israel-Beth Jacob Preschool, and doubled its enrollment.

By 1993, a commission was formed with members of Beth Jacob, B'nai Israel and local residents interested in pursuing the dream of building a community synagogue. It met in homes of interested families and began the process of both building a new synagogue and merging two venerable synagogues, each with 90-year histories. Everyone involved immersed themselves in the effort.

During the winter of 1994, committee members trudged through the snow looking at various properties and secured the location of the former Divine Providence Academy owned by Harmarville Rehabilitation Center. Once negotiations for the building were completed, the marketing of Adat Shalom, B'nai Israel-Beth Jacob began with weekly parlor meetings in area homes. Building plans were developed, our name was chosen, the merger of the two synagogues was completed, and the financing was formalized. Finally, on August 18, 1995, the purchase of the home for our Jewish community was finalized.

No time was wasted. Remodeling began on August 22, 1995. The first service, conducted by lay leadership, was held in the social hall in September, 1995. The first service in the sanctuary was for the High Holy Days in 1996. The preschool opened and the religious school moved in by November with 120 students. The bittersweet closing of both Beth Jacob and B'nai Israel occurred in 1996.

Rabbi Dick, formally of Beth Jacob, served Adat Shalom until his retirement in the fall of 1998. He was assisted by Adrienne Caplowe, our cantor and religious school director. Rabbi David Greenspoon, form Bowie, Maryland, joined us in the fall of 1998. He served until June, 2005. Rabbi Daniel Kripper replaced him as of December, 2005. Yaier Lehrer became our religious school director and cantor in 1999. Gail Schmidt has served as preschool director since March, 1998. Jill Rook has served as our executive director since 1998.

In 1995 we had a vision which we articulated then and which we can now say we have realized: Turning a community of Jews into a Jewish Community.