Zoar, also known as Bela, was the only city of the five "Cities of the Plain" that God spared from destruction. Lot and his family fled to Zoar as a "heaven of refuge." Zoar was a flourishing oasis along ancient trade routes and was also known as a "well of refreshment." The founders of the congregation chose the name Zoar because it was a "haven of refuge" and a "well of refreshment" from the hustle and bustle of life in the ever expanding city of Chicago. It still serves as such!
