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Fair Not just a house of worship
Oceanside Jewish Center has a phrase on it the side of its building: “OJC is the place to be!”
“We want it to be the place to be for our congregants,” said Ian Brecher, temple president.
In addition to religious services, OJC has an in house caterer – Robert Ian Caterers – a religious school, a nursery school and community groups, including Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Social Club, Kadima for grades four through seven, and USY (United Synagogue Youth) for grades eight through 12.
“Social Club is new because it used to be called Couple’s Club, but not everyone’s a couple today,” said Brecher. “So now as a Social Club, it appeals to more of a cross-section of our congregation.”
The synagogue’s hall was still set up in blue and white from last night’s Israel-themed dinner for Sisterhood members.
“The message is the synagogue is not just a house of worship,” said Rabbi Mark Greenspan. “It’s a place that we try to create a sense of community based on Jewish values.”
Located at 2860 Brower Ave. in Oceanside, the synagogue is “conservative with a big ‘C’,” according to Rabbi Mark Greenspan and has a membership of 350 families. “They care deeply about being Jewish,” said Greenspan. “They don’t always do it the way they’re supposed to, but they try.”
Brecher said that the community of OJC is there for all of life’s events. “The good and the bad,” he said. “The simchas and sorrows.”
Brecher had experienced this first hand when his wife was sick. “Family and friends were distant but the synagogue – people I didn’t even know – came to the house and helped out,” said Brecher. “There was one woman who was unemployed and she brought us food.”
It was that kind of help that motivated Brecher to volunteer for OJC.
Rabbi Mark Greenspan has a career going back 34 years. Before coming to Oceanside 17 years ago, he worked in Knoxville, TN. and Harrisburg, PA.
“So half my career I’ve been in Oceanside,” said Greenspan. “The clergy comes from the outside, but they quickly move into the center of that community, because they’re in important moments in people’s lives.”
In addition, Greenspan is the president of the Oceanside Interfaith Council and chaplain for the Oceanside Fire Department. “So I have another congregation that’s two-thirds not Jews,” Greenspan said.
