[6] In 1948, a group of nine lay leaders of the Orthodox Beth Tfiloh Congregation advocated for holding mixed-gender religious services and expanded b'nai mitvah ceremonies.

[7] Established as the first Conservative congregation in Maryland,[3] an inaugural dinner was held at Baltimore's Sheraton-Belvedere Hotel on May 10, 1948 to celebrate the occasion.

[8] Located on 3 acres (12,000 m2) at the corner of Hilton Road and Dorithan Road in the Ashburton neighborhood of Baltimore, Beth El's original synagogue included a 1,500-seat chapel, an auditorium, social rooms, a gymnasium, a kitchen, and preschool classrooms.

[13] The main entrance was built with three brass and ceramic plaques that use the Hebrew letters for the word truth, symbolizing creation, revelation, and redemption.

[4] In 1961, the Building Congress and Exchange gave an award for craftsmanship for the design and construction of the synagogue.