About Us
OUR HISTORY
Congregation Hesed Shel Emet was founded in 1892. Many of its original founding families are still members of our congregation to this day. We are proud to celebrate over 125 years in Pottstown.
Congregation Hesed Shel Emet (Mercy & Truth) is an independent synagogue with its roots in Conservative Judaism. Our members form a warm, welcoming and close-knit community that is modern in its outlook. We regularly host meals and celebrations that are intimate yet engaging, fun and festive.
We believe that the Jewish tradition is a source of joy, hope, and healing. Our religious services for Shabbat and Festivals are filled with a sense of celebration and warmth.
If it has been a while since you have been to synagogue, we invite you to rediscover your heritage. We promise you will feel welcomed without being overwhelmed. Whether you are observant and knowledgeable, searching to reconnect, or trying to enhance how you worship and celebrate, you will find an environment where you can practice and explore Judaism at your own comfort level. An open and accepting congregation, we welcome traditional and non-traditional , Jewish and interfaith families. You will meet individuals, couples, people with children and grandchildren, those that grew up here, and newcomers to our congregation. We represent a range of familiarity with, understanding and observance of Jewish religious doctrines, so you can be certain there is a place for you.
We are proud to maintain two Jewish cemeteries in Pottstown, and have a Chevra Kadisha that has been continually operating for close to 150 years.
Our Rabbi, Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz, provides warm and dynamic leadership, and is involved in all aspects of our community. With her, we strengthen our commitment to Jewish life, prayer, study and action.
In 2016, we sold our Keim Street building to Bethel Community Church of Pottstown. We are proud and honored to continue to worship in the building, alongside our friends at BCCP, whose support has become so vital to our congregation.
Our congregation has changed and adapted over our 125 year history, but our commitment to the preservation of Pottstown’s Jewish community has not wavered.
OUR RABBI
Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz received her Rabbinical Ordination in 1983 from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). She is proud to be counted among the first generation of Women Rabbis. Rabbi Kravitz holds a M.Ed in Curriculum Theory and Development from Temple University and Master of Hebrew Literature from RRC. She is a graduate of the Marriage Council of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) where she received Certification as a Marriage, Family and Relationship Therapist.
Rabbi Kravitz is an active member of the Greater Philadelphia community of Rabbis and Jewish Educators having served at Society Hill Synagogue (Independent), Germantown Jewish Center (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), and Congregation Or Ami (Union of American Hebrew Congregations-Reform). In addition she has led many Adult and Youth Trips to Israel and has lived in Jerusalem for two years of study at Hebrew University. For the past twenty-two years, Rabbi served Kesher Israel Congregation in West Chester, PA (formerly a member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), and during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Rabbi Kravitz served Temple Har Zion in Mt. Holly, New Jersey.
Working within the many streams of Judaism through these congregations has been a deeply broadening experience. Working in partnership with her congregants to create an inclusive, engaged and spirited Jewish Community are the central themes of her calling as a Rabbi.
Rabbi loves to teach and most of all, she loves Jewish Storytelling including Jewish Folklore, the Hasidic Masters, and many stories of her own creation. She has studied piano since the age of seven. Free time finds her at the gym and at the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera and Ballet.
Rabbi Kravitz’s husband, Dr. Nathaniel Entin, of blessed memory, was a nationally known Cantor and Jewish Educator. Rabbi Kravitz has lived in Lafayette Hill, PA since 1985. She shares her home with her sweet dog, Kasha.
Rabbi Kravitz can be reached at 610-326-1717.
Board of Governors
Larry Cohen, President/Administration
Gayle Wolf, Secretary
Tom Faranda, Paul Prince, Treasury/Finance
Mark Pastor, Ritual
Paul Prince, Cemetery
Judy Bieberfeld, Marketing/Membership
Office Administrator
Diane Pettey
Congregation Hesed Shel Emet
575 North Keim Street
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
Mailing address:
PO Box 272
Pottstown PA 19464
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610-326-1717
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Office Hours Tuesday - Thursday, 10 am- 3 pm​
Office hours are subject to change.
Please call before visiting.