Temple Chaverim Vision Statement | Our Aron Kodesh (Ark) |
| Temple Chaverim is a dynamic Reform Jewish congregation dedicated to providing a welcoming, comfortable environment for the religious, educational and communal needs of our congregants. Temple Chaverim fosters a deeper connection to God, our heritage, Israel, and a cohesive community of Chaverim, friends. Worship We provide an environment that is spiritually uplifting, engaging and thought provoking, encouraging an appreciation for God, Torah, and Jewish tradition. Education We offer continuous study of the wisdom, history, and ritual of Judaism for children and adults, thereby instilling strong Jewish values and identity in our community, synagogue, and Jewish homes. Community Our members are connected to each other and the Jewish community through spiritual and social activities, and deeds of caring, compassion, and philanthropy. Through involvement with Temple Chaverim, our members will find Judaism to be an exciting, relevant, and fulfilling part of their lives, thus strengthening and ensuring our future. | In the summer of 1996, the Temple selected the architectural firm Levin Brown to design and build our present home. In the process of gathering design ideas, Temple member Bruce Roberts read a book entitled Synagogues of New York City by Oscar Israelowitz, in which many shuls in New York City, past and present, were catalogued. One Orthodox shul described in the book, the First Independent Hebrew Congregation, also known as Congregation Ahavas Israel, was located at 90-21 161st St., Jamaica, New York. The shul was founded in 1900 and closed in 1980, when the Orthodox Jewish population shifted away from Jamaica. In his book, Mr. Israelowitz included a black and white photograph of the beautiful Aron Kodesh from Congregation Ahavas Israel. He described how the Aron had been disassembled and placed in storage when the congregation disbanded. With the blessing of the Temple Board and our architects, Bruce Roberts contacted Mr. Israelowitz to inquire if the Aron could be obtained by Temple Chaverim for our new sanctuary. One year later, thanks to Mr. Israelowitz, Charles Maurer, (a surviving trustee of Congregation Ahavas Israel), and the craftsmanship of Marc Potecha, who reassembled and restored the woodwork, the Aron Kodesh was reborn and installed in our sanctuary. With this Aron Kodesh, Temple Chaverim has made a spiritual link from past to present and into the future. The words inscribed above the Ark are derived from a Midrash on Psalm 122: Oseh Kal Yisrael Chaverim, "making all Israel friends." It is said that the Divine Presence enters the heavenly Jerusalem when all Israel gathers as friends in the earthly Jerusalem. Here at Temple Chaverim, we gather as friends so that God's presence becomes a part of our lives. |
Adult Education | Worship Services |
| Jews experience a sense of pride when they become familiar with the history of our people. Temple Chaverim participates in the Adult Jewish Institute and provides adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation, trips, and other learning opportunities such as our monthly book club. | The spiritual needs of our people are met through a program of religious services on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM. On the first Friday of each month, a special family service is held at 7:30 PM. Saturday morning services begin at 10:00 AM. |
Social Activities | Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation |
| Outside of worshiping, Chaverim members enjoy being with each other at various fun-filled at social events. | Children are prepared to read Hebrew, to lead us in worship if needed, and to be called to the Torah for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. |
Minyan Services | Holiday Services |
| Our Synagogue provides Minyan Services at member’s homes during Shiva at the request of the mourners. | The Jewish Holidays are celebrated together through warm and embracing services, with music and liturgy that speaks both to the time of the year and the diverse and dynamic Temple Chaverim family. |
Social Action | Rabbi's Counseling Services |
| An important part of Reform Judaism is a strong belief in tikkun olam, or a healing of our broken world. To this end, we are committed to an awareness and involvement in contemporary social issues, which enables us to live our lives as a part of our greater local and global communities. The Social Action Committee oversees our food drive and Mitzvah Day Program. | In these trying times, occasions arise when families need professional help in solving problems. The Rabbi is always just a phone call away. |
Institute for Adult Jewish Studies | The Temple Building |
| Temple Chaverim also participates in Institute for Adult Jewish Studies. Each fall all of the synagogues in the area – Reform, Conservative and Orthodox – join together to participate in the Institute. The Institute meets on Monday nights for eight weeks, beginning after the High Holidays. There are two parts to the evening. In the first hour, each of the rabbis of the participating synagogues offers a course. The courses run for eight weeks. During the second part of the evening, a major Jewish speaker addresses the participants of the Institute. There is a winter program in January that features lectures only. | Our 30,000 square foot facility includes a magnificent sanctuary, 10 classrooms in our school wing, a library, meeting space and a beautiful refurbished bridal suite and social hall and multi-purpose room with the most up-to-date high-tech audio visual capabilities. |
Religious School/Hebrew School | |
| The goal we set for the children in our Religious School is to utilize our heritage, tradition and history as to bring meaning to their lives and develop a sense of commitment to the Jewish people. Topics studied include worship, history, Hebrew, customs, ceremonies, Israel, Bible and the principles of Reform Judaism. Classes are held for children in kindergarten through twelfth grades. | |
