Monessen synagogue closes its doors
MONESSEN 鈥� The last Jewish synagogue in the Mon Valley has closed its doors due to a shrinking congregation.
Temple Beth Am in Monessen held its final service two weeks ago after its membership dipped to below 20 families, said Jack L. Bergstein, a former president of the synagogue.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 operate in that small of a group,鈥� Bergstein said Friday.
He said there were once synagogues in neighboring Charleroi, Donora and Monongahela decades ago when steel mills were operating and the Mon Valley had a thriving Jewish community.
Fayette County鈥檚 last synagogue closed in 2015. The Tree of Life Synagogue in Uniontown was sold after its congregation dwindled to about a dozen members.
鈥淭hey all died or moved away,鈥� Bergstein said. 鈥淲estern Pennsylvania is not like it used to be 40, 50 years ago.鈥�
He said the congregation hopes to sell the 65-year-old building at 1000 Watkins St. Prior to 1954, Jewish services were held in Monessen at a synagogue near First Street and Schoonmaker Avenue, a building that was torn down long ago, he said.
The closest options involve attending synagogues in Washington or Greensburg.
鈥淚鈥檒l probably find something in Pittsburgh,鈥� Bergstein said.