Temple Beth Shalom was established in 1951, when some 60 Livingston families joined together to form the Livingston Jewish Center. The congregation’s first Sabbath evening service was held on September 4, 1951 at the Livingston Men’s Club. As the synagogue’s membership grew, services were moved to Livingston Grange Hall. Men’s Club, Sisterhood and a choir were soon organized.

 

Rabbi Samuel Cohen assumed the pulpit in 1953, and under his guidance the congregation initiated weekly services, developed adult education programs, established a library, and sought accreditation for the Religious School.

 

Land was acquired in 1954 and by the end of that year the new synagogue was ready for occupancy. Rabbi Cohen recommended that the name be changed to Temple Beth Shalom (TBS), and in 1959 Cantor Henry Butensky was hired. A new school building was dedicated to serve a growing student population for our Religious and Nursery schools. A new sanctuary was dedicated in 1968 to accommodate the more than 400 family members.

 

In 1987, TBS suffered the tragic loss of Rabbi Cohen and relied on the new leadership of Rabbi Azriel Fellner to help heal that loss. His oratory skill and extensive background in film and literature brought a broader understanding of the media and how it pertained to Judaism.

 

The Rabbi Samuel L. Cohen Center for Judaic Studies opened in 1988 to meet the needs of our growing Preschool, Primary and Religious Schools. The Holocaust Memorial Garden and Study Center was dedicated in 1998. Its peaceful yet haunting beauty memorializes those who perished and serves as a reminder to never forget.

 

The 21st Century brought new beginnings. The Carol and Paul Miller Education Center – housing the Fran and Howard Muser Religious School, the Philip J. Solondz Pre-School and the Tepper Library – was completed in 2004 and continues to be a premier center for inspiring our children in their Jewish studies.

 

In July 2005, TBS welcomed Rabbi Geoffrey A. Spector as our spiritual leader. Under his guidance, TBS has emerged as a place of worship for individuals and families seeking to join together for a Jewish life of prayer, learning and celebration. In 2006, our Keruv Committee began to implement its vision of promoting a deeper understanding of, and respect for, non-traditional families and individuals while being consistent with the standards of the Conservative movement.

 

In every effort, Rabbi Spector has supported and broadened TBS’s deep connection to Israel. He has led trips to Israel where our children have become B'nai Mitzvah at Robinson’s Arch, toured the Golan, floated in the Dead Sea, remembered at Yad Vashem and felt the joy of Statehood at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv. While at home, Rabbi Spector leads a growing number of delegates to the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., frequently making TBS the largest synagogue delegation from the Greater MetroWest community.

 

Additionally, TBS has achieved special recognition as an ABLE (Access, Belonging and Life Enrichment) Awarded synagogue. TBS strives to accommodate and appreciate individual differences so that all members of our congregation can participate in Torah study and prayer.

 

Cantor Perry Fine joined our clergy in 2012, complementing and enriching the superb musical talents of Cantor Sharon Knoller. And in July 2017, TBS welcomed Assistant Rabbi Simeon Cohen who will help us continue to engage our young families. All our clergy are committed to the intense preparation of our B’nai Mitzvah students.

 

Bedek Habayit, the capital campaign to renovate our impressively elegant Leff Sanctuary, was completed just in time for the 2016 High Holy Days. The beauty of the space is matched by state of the art lighting, sound, accessibility, décor and comfort.

 

Temple Beth Shalom stands strong and ready to take on new challenges. We are a dedicated family made up of all ages, a multitude of committees, volunteers, clergy, employees, youth groups and teachers. Together we experience the joy and the sorrow of our Jewish lifecycle. We strive to act with lovingkindness and to repair a piece of the world. Together may Temple Beth Shalom go from strength to strength.

 

Clergy and Executive Staff

Geoffrey A. Spector, DD, Senior Rabbi

Simeon L. Cohen, Assistant Rabbi

Perry S. Fine, Cantor

Sharon A. Knoller, Cantor

Matthew G. Halpern, FSA, ATz, Executive Director

Leah Beker, Director of Education

Randi F. Cohen, Preschool Director

 

Temple Beth Shalom Executive Committee

Jay Jaffe, President

Brian Fern, Vice President

Mattye Gandel, Vice President

Alison Handler, Vice President

Andy Muser, Vice President

Mel Zirkes, Vice President

Marshall Saunders, Treasurer

Paul Brownstein, Financial Secretary

Amy Black, Recording Secretary

 

 

Serving Past Presidents

Jeffrey J. Greenbaum

Laura Greif

Mel Jacobs

Stephen Montag

Howard Muser

Irwin Ruderfer

Michael Silverman

Margie Wolfe

 

Honorary Trustee