[1] He was a Holocaust survivor who emigrated from Berlin, Germany, to the United States in 1939, established the synagogue with 12 members, and was the rabbi of Temple Beth El for 36 years, until his retirement.

[4][6][7] He was followed by Rabbi Jan Brahms, who served for nineteen years before deciding in 2004 to take a post at a smaller congregation in The Woodlands, Texas.

Brahms was known for his interfaith activities and for his many columns on religious topics for The Capital Times newspaper.

[2] In 2008, the Madison Jewish Community Day School opened in rented space at Temple Beth El.

[17] Its members reflect Madison’s demographic as the seat of state and county government, home of the University of Wisconsin, and a regional center for medical care, scientific research, and business.