Thursday, October 1, 2026
Members of two synagogues — Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach and the South Shore Jewish Center, in Island Park — joined for a Torah walk from the Jewish center to Temple Emanu-El last week in celebration of the temples’ merger.
“South Shore Jewish Center has combined with us,” Jaclyn Feldman, the corresponding secretary for the newly created Temple Emanu-El of the South Shore, explained. “We put their Torahs in our synagogue. This was something very difficult for a synagogue to do because they are losing their home.”
Two dozen temple members came together Oct. 15 for the short walk from East Market Street, in Long Beach, to the combined synagogues’ new home, Temple Emanu-El, on Neptune Boulevard.
“It’s symbolic to create a walk for them, so they can walk to their new home,” Yvette Oppenheim, president of the newly formed house of worship, said, referring to members of the South Shore Jewish Center.
During the walk, four Torahs were carried to Temple Emanu-El. “They have Torah scrolls, (and) we’re bringing them over into our building, into our ark, their new home,” Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft, spiritual leader of the new Temple Emanu-El of the South Shore, said. “The temple in Island Park was smaller. We had a very large building, and it just made sense, economically and spiritually, for us to become one.”
The decision to merge was made two years ago, and in addition to legal requirements — in New York state, religious institutions must obtain approval to combine congregations from the State Supreme Court — the process also involved votes by both congregations. Formal state approval came last month.
“It was right before Rosh Hashana, which has such significance to us,” Neil Vogel, chairman of the new temple, said. “It’s when the state signed off on it, so there’s a lot of symbolism.”
After the walk, temple members celebrated Simchat Torah, which commemorates the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.
“Today’s walk focused on the Torah scrolls that were there in Island Park and bringing them here, so it ties into the holiday, celebrating the scrolls,” Zanerhaft said.
After the service, guests were ushered into Temple Emanu-El’s ballroom, where they gathered around the Torah scrolls as they were unrolled.
“Without the Torah, there would be no Judaism — there would be no Christianity,” temple member Linda Kotin said. “It’s the basis of everything, so it was an honor to be able to carry it.”
An evening of music, dancing and refreshments followed.
“Bringing these Torahs here was something very special,” Feldman said, adding of the new members from Island Park, “We are hoping that they will feel very comfortable and welcome here at this temple.”
“These are two equals coming together to form a new, stronger entity,” Vogel said. “The whole coming together of the two temples is so important. We didn’t merge one into the other, we created a new temple, and it is the first new temple in Long Beach in forever.”
Temple Emanu-El is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and will mark the milestone with a gala on Nov. 8.
“There are times that we thrived, there are times that were challenging,” Zanerhaft said, “but we feel that it was, and still is, a part of our legacy to maintain and continue on.”
More information on future events and services at the new temple can be found at TempleEmanualEllongbeach.org.
