Voices of Our Community
Testimonals
Stephen Freed
In what ways does our synagogue stand out from others? Why have I chosen TBHBA to be my shul?
There are many reasons I belong to Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham, perhaps the most important being the warmth of its community, our kehilla. I’m one of the newer members, having joined 14 years ago. When I first came to TBHBA I experienced something that brought back memories of the first synagogue I knew as a child, one that my grandfather founded over 100 years ago, starting with only a Torah brought over from Lithuania. TBHBA has much the same feel to me: there’s a sense of family, people who care about each other and want to connect with a common tradition. The physical structure of TBHBA reinforces that connection, and it’s easy to imagine being in a 19th century Eastern European shul, sitting in the sanctuary, looking up at the bimah.
For me, TBHBA is sized just right: approachable and relatable. Though relatively small, rarely is there a problem assembling a minyan. Similar in ways to the traditional shtibl or a modern-day chavurah, almost everyone knows one another – whether in the sanctuary or the Zoom video gallery. We know each other as family, and welcome new members into the community with the same openness. We’re small enough so every member plays an important role in the life of the shul. In many ways, TBHBA takes me back to how I felt when I davened in a minyan as a young seminary student, in the company of my best friends and teachers.
Each member brings their own skills and contributions to our shul, and each member brings a unique mix of Jewish tradition, identity, oral history and observance; everyone is respected for the pathway they choose. I probably shouldn’t be surprised that a synagogue with roots in both Orthodox and Reform traditions embrace diversity so well.
I’m heartened how we’ve grown with the times, particularly since the beginning of the pandemic which taught us the importance of giving our extended community the opportunity to be with us virtually. Organizations reflect the personality, character and identity of their members and leadership. For us, that’s a wonderful thing. TBHBA’s members, professional and lay leaders are generous of heart and mindful of tradition, while at the same time eager to learn, share knowledge, adapt, and accommodate to new challenges and realities. Without question we’ve evolved over the years, but there’s no mistaking our neshoma, our soul and spirit. Being a member nourishes my desire to connect with tradition, Torah and community.
As a house of prayer and study, and as a kehilah, TBHBA fills an important role in my life. For these things I’m enormously grateful.
Merle Silver
Our family has been a member of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham (TBHBA) for over 30 years. My three children became bar mitzvahs at TBHBA, they were married by the Rabbi from TBHBA, and our parents’ funerals were overseen by our Rabbi and Cantor. In happiness and sadness, TBHBA has been the guiding and consistent light in our lives. We are so fortunate to have a one-of-a-kind Reform Congregation in our area. We have remained the same over the 30+ years; truly one big happy family. We care for each other; the clergy for us and we for our clergy. We welcome new members and we enjoy being together. Our board has been committed to the well-being of the congregation with no politics whatsoever. The building is well over 100 years old. It is charming and warm and reminds one of another era. It is a joy to be within its walls. I believe that if you come and share a service and an hour with us, you will want to become a part of our Kehila Kedosha (holy congregation).
Toby Soifer
Congregation TBHBA makes me feel at home. No matter where I live it is where I want to come back and ties me to my Judaism and my family.
Testimonials
Stephen Freed
In what ways does our synagogue stand out from others? Why have I chosen TBHBA to be my shul?
There are many reasons I belong to Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham, perhaps the most important being the warmth of its community, our kehilla. I’m one of the newer members, having joined 14 years ago. When I first came to TBHBA I experienced something that brought back memories of the first synagogue I knew as a child, one that my grandfather founded over 100 years ago, starting with only a Torah brought over from Lithuania. TBHBA has much the same feel to me: there’s a sense of family, people who care about each other and want to connect with a common tradition. The physical structure of TBHBA reinforces that connection, and it’s easy to imagine being in a 19th century Eastern European shul, sitting in the sanctuary, looking up at the bimah.
For me, TBHBA is sized just right: approachable and relatable. Though relatively small, rarely is there a problem assembling a minyan. Similar in ways to the traditional shtibl or a modern-day chavurah, almost everyone knows one another – whether in the sanctuary or the Zoom video gallery. We know each other as family, and welcome new members into the community with the same openness. We’re small enough so every member plays an important role in the life of the shul. In many ways, TBHBA takes me back to how I felt when I davened in a minyan as a young seminary student, in the company of my best friends and teachers.
Each member brings their own skills and contributions to our shul, and each member brings a unique mix of Jewish tradition, identity, oral history and observance; everyone is respected for the pathway they choose. I probably shouldn’t be surprised that a synagogue with roots in both Orthodox and Reform traditions embrace diversity so well.
I’m heartened how we’ve grown with the times, particularly since the beginning of the pandemic which taught us the importance of giving our extended community the opportunity to be with us virtually. Organizations reflect the personality, character and identity of their members and leadership. For us, that’s a wonderful thing. TBHBA’s members, professional and lay leaders are generous of heart and mindful of tradition, while at the same time eager to learn, share knowledge, adapt, and accommodate to new challenges and realities. Without question we’ve evolved over the years, but there’s no mistaking our neshoma, our soul and spirit. Being a member nourishes my desire to connect with tradition, Torah and community.
As a house of prayer and study, and as a kehilah, TBHBA fills an important role in my life. For these things I’m enormously grateful.
Merle Silver
Our family has been a member of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham (TBHBA) for over 30 years. My three children became bar mitzvahs at TBHBA, they were married by the Rabbi from TBHBA, and our parents’ funerals were overseen by our Rabbi and Cantor. In happiness and sadness, TBHBA has been the guiding and consistent light in our lives. We are so fortunate to have a one-of-a-kind Reform Congregation in our area. We have remained the same over the 30+ years; truly one big happy family. We care for each other; the clergy for us and we for our clergy. We welcome new members and we enjoy being together. Our board has been committed to the well-being of the congregation with no politics whatsoever. The building is well over 100 years old. It is charming and warm and reminds one of another era. It is a joy to be within its walls. I believe that if you come and share a service and an hour with us, you will want to become a part of our Kehila Kedosha (holy congregation).
Toby Soifer
Congregation TBHBA makes me feel at home. No matter where I live it is where I want to come back and ties me to my Judaism and my family.
Nancy Litwin
Nearly 20 years ago, we attended a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham. After spending an entire day with congregants, we experienced how warm, caring and accepting they were and are. I am happy to say, since that day, we have been members of the TBH-BA family.
