Congregation Beth Hillel was founded .n 1940 th::ough the initiative and energetic efforts of Samson Schmidt. who. an American by birth. had returned to this country in 1932 after having lived in Munich for several decades. During the following years he kept in touch with the everincreasing number of his coreligionists from Munich who were seeking a haven from Nazi persecution in New York City. Being aware of these Jewish immigrants need for a congregational bond. Samson Schmidt began to pursue the possibilities of establishing a replica of their former congregation. This plan took on concrete form when in 1940 their longtime rabbi. Dr. Leo Baerwald. arrived in New York and expressed his readiness to assume once again the responsibility of serving as spiritual leader to his reborn congregation. By that time the number of Jewish immigrants from Munich living in Washington Heights had increased to several hundred. Due to the tireless efforts on the part of Samson Schmidt and Rabbi Baerwald. in collaboration with other dedicated men and women. the new congregation Beth Hillel was founded in 1940. Its first president was Dr.
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immigrants