B’nai Torah History
Congregation B’nai Torah is a child born of two parents – The United Hebrew Congregation and the Central Hebrew Congregation, which merged in 1957. The United Hebrew Congregation, founded in 1903, was the largest and most influential of the many Orthodox synagogues on the south side of Indianapolis. It boasted the city’s first Talmud Torah as well as the city’s first Jewish Women’s group. The Central Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1923 by a group of Orthodox Jews who moved north. Its first location was on Central Avenue at 21st Street, and its first rabbi, engaged in 1942, was Rabbi Nandor Fruchter.
In the wake of the merger, the congregation, known briefly as the United Hebrew Congregation received both a new building and a new name. The new home was a three-building complex on 34th and Ruckle Streets; the new name, announced at the building’s dedication ceremony, was B’nai Torah. As the Jewish community moved farther and farther north, the congregation moved with it. In 1965, a tract of land on Hoover Road at 65th Street was donated to B’nai Torah by the estate of John Bauer. A building campaign was begun immediately, and in April 1967, more than 800 people attended dedication ceremonies of the newly constructed synagogue.
After its birth in 1957, B’nai Torah continues to reflect the diversity of its parent synagogues, the wisdom of its leaders and the devotion of its members. The largest Orthodox Congregation in the state of Indiana, it serves its members and the community with a modern Mikvah, a community Eruv, daily services, Shabbat children’s services, youth groups, educational & cultural programs and a spirit of genuine warmth and camaraderie.
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Our Rabbi
Rabbi Yisroel Teitelbaum
A rabbi is far more than a person who leads religious services and officiates at life cycle events. He is a teacher, a counselor, an authority on religious questions and issues, a community leader, and very knowledgeable in all aspects of the Torah.
Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Rabbi Teitelbaum spent the last nine years in Israel studying in yeshiva and training in rabbinic leadership. During that time, he also taught beginner and advanced courses in the Sinai Retreats summer program and Yeshiva Tiferes Yisrael. In addition, he translated Judaic books for Artscroll and Mosaica Press. Rabbi Teitelbaum received semicha (rabbinic ordination) from the Jerusalem Kollel.
Former Rabbi
Rabbi Yisrael Gettinger
Rabbi Gettinger served as B’nai Torah’s congregational rabbi from 2018 through 2024. He grew up in New York City and comes from a long line of rabbis. Following in their tradition, Rabbi Gettinger received his Smicha from Rav Hutner z”l, the late Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chaim Berlin. Rabbi Gettinger came to Indianapolis in 2008. He and his wife, Miriam, currently reside in Lakewood, NJ.
IOBK
The Indianapolis Orthodox Board of Kashrus was founded in 1997 to provide Kosher certification and to support & promote educational programs as they relate to the laws & customs of Kashrus. The IOBK is under the Rav Hamachshir (Certifying Rabbi) of Rabbi Yisroel Teitelbaum.
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