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| Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel 432 Scotland Road So. Orange NJ, 07079 Phone: 973-763-4116 Fax: 973-763-3941 email: info@tsti.org | ||||||
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Who We Are // History and Building | ||||||||||||||||
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Temple Sharey Tefilo’s vibrant and expansive history goes back to 1874 when ten Orange, New Jersey merchants, including the five Harris brothers, met in a small room above a storefront on Cleveland Street to establish Congregation Sharey Tefilo of Orange, New Jersey, the first Jewish congregation in suburban Essex County. Twenty-one years later, the congregation moved into a Moorish-style wooden building, reminiscent of the architecture of eastern European synagogues. This served as the congregation’s home until 1927 when Rabbi Stephen Wise dedicated the congregation’s imposing, Grecian-pillared Temple on Prospect Street in East Orange . Founded as an Orthodox synagogue, the congregation in 1921, setting the stage for a proud tradition of innovation and change, affiliated with the Reform movement. Eight rabbis and three cantors, including Rabbi Avraham Soltes, Rabbi Charles Annes and Cantor Theodore Aronson served the congregation whose membership dramatically increased as the Jewish community migrated to the suburbs following World War II. In April of 1948, 229 families from Sharey Tefilo, citing the need for a new type of religious experience, established Temple Israel in South Orange. Within a year, the congregation had purchased the beautiful Kip-Riker mansion on two and one half acres of land, the current site of our congregation. Temple Israel, led by Rabbi Herbert Weiner and Cantor Abe Levitt, grew in both size and innovation. Expansions of the facility took place in 1953 and in 1963. Both Temple Israel and Temple Sharey Tefilo continued to grow, building a long and proud history of Jewish commitment in the area. The blending of our Temple families into a single congregation once again, occurred in 1982, when the 500 members of Sharey Tefilo carried their Torahs into the Temple Israel sanctuary. The lessons learned while apart made us stronger and more viable than ever before. Today our sacred congregation, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, continues a proud tradition, thriving rich in spirit and strong in number. During the years we have been joined together we have watched our Temple grow, attract many young, new members, deepen our roots in the community, and develop excellent programming for members from pre-school to senior citizens. As a congregation we have made significant contributions to the well being of American Reform Judaism and a spiritual, ethical, social, and community impact in the lives of our Temple family members. Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel creates a bridge between the warmth of Jewish tradition and the challenges of life in the modern world. Throughout the history of our congregation, the ethics and rituals of our people have guided us in creating a vibrant and meaningful Judaism imbued with innovation and relevance. We are a large synagogue that has the warmth and intimacy usually associated with smaller congregations. Our clergy share a common belief that the spiritual journey is central to the Jewish experience. Along with our entire professional staff, they are committed to devoting personal attention to each individual within our community. Learning spans the life of our Congregation. In our superb Iris Family Pre-School the halls resound with the excitement of first discoveries. Our unique early childhood program focuses on each child’s developmental needs and promotes a positive, secure and accepting environment. Individuality, creativity and communication are keys to our educational endeavor. Our Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School brings the pride of Jewish knowledge to students from kindergarten through high school. We strive to inculcate a sense of Jewish spirituality. Our curriculum involves the basic values of our Jewish heritage and is presented in a warm and enriching atmosphere. Opportunities for adult study and family education abound. As a community of learners we believe that Jewish study must be relevant, meaningful, and joyful. The Bar and Bat mitzvah experience at Sharey Tefilo-Israel is a unique celebration of our young people’s first steps into adulthood. The pride of personal achievement is evident in the service, which is moving and spiritual. Through their accomplishment of study and service to the community they become links to the past, present, and future of Jewish life. Our Temple is particularly sensitive to the needs and concerns of interfaith families. As a Reform congregation, we welcome all who wish to participate in the traditions and rituals of the Jewish people. Our vision is to perpetuate the religious principles and moral values of Jewish tradition through commitment to worship, education, spirituality, and community involvement. |
