Temple Beth El celebrates 90 years

When Alvin Epstein moved to Woodmere 47 years ago, he decided to join Temple Beth El in Cedarhurst a year later because it shared the same conservative values and offered outstanding youth and adult programs.

“It’s great for new families coming into the neighborhood,” the 46-year member said. “It’s a warm and caring congregation.”

This year Temple Beth El, on Locust Avenue in Cedarhurst, celebrates its 90th anniversary. “I think it’s wonderful that any organization can be in existence for 90 years,” Epstein said. “It’s wonderful to see us still thriving in these times; you adjust and you try to do as much for the temple population as possible. We have to be doing something good if we’ve been here for 90 years.”

Woodmere resident Steven Feldman joined Temple Beth El 37 years ago and attends with his wife, two daughters and six grandchildren, ages eight to 15. “We take up a whole row; it’s wonderful,” he said. “It’s a warm and hospitable place. We feel like we’re family and we’re there for each other on good and bad days — that’s the most important thing.”

For Feldman, celebrating 90 years of Temple Beth El’s existence is nostalgic. “We’ve been gathering pictures and though many of our dear friends have passed away, the good part is that we have a good future,” he said. “We’re a vibrant congregation and we’re loyal to the temple and to each other.”

Rabbi Sholom Stern, who leads the congregation of 350 members, came aboard in August 1992 and associates the synagogue’s anniversary with rebirth. “It’s a time of renewal; a new life,” he said. “That’s the spirit we want to inject and though most people would consider 90 to be a rather long life, it’s not the end, we’re starting all over again.”

According to Stern, the synagogue was the center of the conservative movement in Judaism after World War II. “We have been able to serve the community exceptionally well and we want to be able to continue that,” he said. “Our mission remains the same; to be able to teach Judaism in a way that will impact the lives of people, to instill a sense of pride in their heritage, to get people to embrace a traditional Jewish lifestyle and to be loyal to the commandments in our tradition.”

Woodmere resident Arlene Gilbert said commemorating 90 years of the synagogue she’s attended for the past 38 years is a time of reflection. “I believe in marking milestones because it’s good to reflect on where you are and where you’d going, especially when you know where you’ve been,” she said. “It’s a time to reflect on our history in the community and our role in the community going forward.”

Though the future of Temple Beth is unclear, the demographics in the Five Towns are changing, Epstein said, as the Orthodox population is increasing. “I hope we can survive,” he said. “The Orthodox are moving in at a much greater rate than the conservative and reform, but as long as we’re around, the temple should be around. It’s a beautiful synagogue, we have great rabbinical leaders and we have a big history here.”

According to Feldman, the devoted congregation will help the synagogue’s growth for years to come. “The future is bright because we have the right people; it’s my second home and my second family,” he said. “They make it vibrant and strong and it will move along with the changing times and changing community. We have growth, strength and the potential.”

On Sunday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m., join the congregation of Temple Beth El as they gather for their 90th anniversary gala at the synagogue, 46 Locust Ave., Cedarhurst. For more information about the gala and other anniversary events, call (516) 569-2700.