Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights will observe its 60th anniversary on Sunday, recalling a history of a Jewish religious community that grew from humble origins
In June of 1951, a group of 30 families extended an invitation to a charter convocation for the founding of a conservative Jewish center for the Roslyn area.
Approximately 40 families responded to that invitation, and a few months later the fledgling congregation held its first religious services. In September, the congregation bought 14 acres on a hill on Roslyn Road and soon after, 500 people attended the congregation’s first High Holiday services in the Roslyn Theater.
Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights now counts 800 families in its congregation and occupies a conspicuous place in conservative Jewish history in the U.S. as it celebrates its 60 years in existence with a gala black-tie dinner dance on June 12, where the Ike Walkover Orchestra will provide entertainment.
“Beth Sholom’s original meetings were held at the Roslyn movie theater because they didn’t have a place to meet,” said Louis Naviasky, president of the temple’s executive board. “Beth Sholom is considered one of the forerunners in the conservative Jewish movement throughout the country.”
The temple’s members are major contributors to the United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Theological Seminary, according to Naviasky.
Just last year, the temple opened a new childhood center and lifelong learning as the latest high water marks in its history. The childhood center gives the congregation’s children an introduction to Shabbat and Jewish holy day observances.
“As we entered our 60th year, we opened our new early childhood and lifelong learning center which has been a key component in attracting our younger children and for our summer camp,” Naviasky said.
More than a decade before the childhood center opened, Temple Beth Sholom received the UJA Continuity grant to establish a Kehila Kedosha (Sacred Community). A family life educator, and rabbinic intern were hired and toddler and enrichment programs were established in the Nursery School.
Providing an opportunity for a Jewish religious education has long been a part of the congregation’s tradition. In the spring of 1961, seven years after its temple and auditorium were dedicated, the Board of Education of United Synagogue accredited Beth Sholom’s religious school. Two years later, Temple Beth Sholom was educating 600 children and played a role in helped organize and house the North Shore Hebrew High School.
Naviasky noted that Temple Beth Sholom had a long relationship with the Solomon Schechter School as part of its history. When the Solomon Schechter School outgrew its quarters in Westbury in the early 1970s, the temple’s board of trustees invited the school to be housed in Temple Beth Sholom.
Yitzhak Rabin, who would later serve twice as Israeli prime minister, spoke before the Solomon Schechter dinner in 1969.
By then, a committee had been formed to establish the Judaica Museum and the Temple’s first Israel Affairs committee was formed.
Education continues to be a focal point of the Temple’s mission, according to Naviasky.
“Probably one of our chief differentiators is our life-long learning,” said Naviasky, adding that classes at the temple complex are available to congregants in their 20s or in their 80s.
The Temple also has a tradition of activism. In the 1970s, its members held vigils at the Soviet compound in Glen Cove. Several of its members, were ejected from the Soviet Union for passing out Jewish literature.
Its current activism initiatives include making food contributions to the Long Island INN, winter coat drives for the needy and other charitable efforts, according to Donna Bartolomeo, executive director of Temple Beth Sholom.
The Black and White Gala Dinner Dance anniversary celebration on June 12, with tickets at $180, commemorates more than a half century of Temple Beth Sholom’s presence in playing a vital role in Jewish religious life on Long Island.
