Welcome to Beth Jacob San Diego

Beth Jacob is an exciting, full-service Orthodox synagogue, in the heart of San Diego. We are a shul that strives to engage our members in areas of chesed, Torah study, and communal activism. Beth Jacob is a resource for every member's full life events from birth, to bar and bat mitzvah, marriage, and to comfort those in times of need.

Our membership, of some one hundred fifty plus families, consists of many Shomer Shabbos, Shomer Mitzvos families as well as those that are less observant.

With many more participants in our religious, educational, cultural and social activities, we are proud to be "the Orthodox Synagogue for all Jews". We are a diverse community, welcoming of all religious backgrounds.

A few unique features of the synagogue are: a large Beit Medrash program; bi-weekly Lunch and Learn classes; a community Kelim and Women's mikvah; singles programs; lifecycle and family education; adult and youth enrichment programs; communal holiday gatherings, scholar in residence programs and a daily senior citizens progam Monday through Friday.

Congregation Beth Jacob, affiliated with NCSY and the OU, is one of the premier outreach institutions in the county, offering Shabbat hospitality, ongoing chesed activities, and parallel Beginning and Learning Services.

We invite you to experience Beth Jacob and San Diego. We have an open door policy and pride ourselves on our warm and friendly atmosphere. Please visit our congregation and enjoy our site.

Beth Jacob celebrated its 70th Anniversary in 2009 and looks forward to serving San Diego's Jewish community for many years to come.

Some History

Beth Jacob Congregation was founded in 1939. In May of that year, a small house on Myrtle Avenue was purchased for religious services and congregational meetings. In 1947, Rabbi Baruch Stern joined Beth Jacob and remained its rabbi until retiring in 1977. During Rabbi Stern's tenure, the Congregation built a new synagogue on 30th Street near Meade Avenue in 1950.

In 1972, Beth Jacob broke ground for a new synagogue located on College Avenue in proximity to San Diego State University. After several years and the dedication of many members of the congregation to see the synagogue finished, dedication services were held on August 28, 1977.

Beth Jacob Congregation's synagogue is an extraordinarily beautiful building. The above image was taken from the cover of the synagogue's dedication book. The images below are from photos of the four faceted glass windows located in the Beth Midrash and depict highlights from the Garden of Eden, Exodus from Egypt, building the Holy Temple, its destruction, the return and rebuilding of Israel.

The panels also show the symbols of Shabbat and festivals. In the accomopanying text book celebrating 10 years on College Avenue, one learns that "the designer used rich colors and textures of one inch thick glass chipped at the edges in bold, mosaic style in a narrative flowing from one event and time to another. The symbols are superimposed upon each other. At sunset the faceted glass catches the sun's rays and basks worshippers in the rich colors of Jewish History."

Beth Jacob Congregation commissioned a postcard featuring the synagogue's sanctuary.

Beth Jacob is a proud member synagogue of the Orthodox Union.