In 1956, just 10 families met to share their dream of forming a new synagogue. Our first home was a cottage on 10 acres of
land in Randallstown. In 1957, our congregation became affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Two years later, we added a multipurpose building for use as a sanctuary, social hall and auditorium. In 1963, our growing congregation merged with Mikro-Kodesh Congregation, a venerable institution founded in 1877.

Growth
By the mid-1960s, our congregation added a permanent sanctuary to the original building, along with more classrooms and a new 
auditorium. Our congregation grew rapidly through the next few decades. By the early 1990s, however, much of the Jewish 
population had migrated to the Owings Mills/Reisterstown area. We opened a satellite religious school and began a search for 
a new location, ultimately purchasing our current building. 

On October 30, 1994, the last service was held in the Randallstown sanctuary. A few hours later, our congregation held the 
first evening service in our new Owings Mills home.

Leadership
Since then, Beth Israel has continued its leadership role in the community. In 1996, our 40th anniversary year, we held our
first Shabbat service in the new David Phillip Gresser Sanctuary in the Macks Fidler Synagogue Center. The driveway was designed Mitzvah Lane by Baltimore County and our new facility became known in the community as the "Miracle on Mitzvah Lane." 

During our 50th anniversary, we celebrated with a congregation-wide project, V’zot HaTorah: A Mitzvah for Generations. 
This far-reaching educational and cultural project culminated with the opportunity for all members to participate in the writing 
of a new Torah. In honor of our new Torah, an endowment fund was created to provide a means for  lifelong Jewish learning to current and future generations of Beth Israel. 


During our more than 50 years as an integral part of the Baltimore community, we’ve grown to become one of the area’s most dynamic and well-respected Conservative congregations. Honoring our founders - who sought to create warm, welcoming atmosphere as well as embracing modern changes, Beth Israel educates, enlightens, and brings our community together.