In the coming year, Temple Beth Sholom is looking to embark on a new journey. We are looking to move our congregation to the Rockland Jewish Community Campus where we will better be able to invest resources into our congregants and to develop an exciting new model for Jewish life. Our dream is to better the membership experience, to lower the obstacles for involvement and engagement and to bring TBS into the future. We recognize the necessity of being open and transparent and creating a dialogue.
This page will contain all of the latest updates and timelines. It is a page meant to foster connection between our community on the path forward.
Rabbi Leiken's Comments from Town Hall
The Latest News
Comments from Cantor Anna
Life is a journey, in fact, I would say it is multiple journeys. In order to know what you truly want you need to fully realize it and sometimes learn
Questions and Answers
We have included answers to questions that have been asked. If you have any additional questions you would like answered, please ask the question on the form below.
What is the square footage of the JCC?
The space that we are looking to lease is 7800 square feet and is on the third floor. This space would be used for offices, gathering space and classrooms. We are looking to use the Schwartz social hall for our sanctuary on Friday nights and Shabbat mornings.
What happens to all the plaques we have in the Sanctuary?
We will put together a committee dedicated to keeping the spirit of our physical materials alive. Whether that means that we will have them in our sanctuary or we will build new plaques is to be determined.
What led to the decision to move to the JCC?
The JCC has the space available now and did not three years ago. Initially, we felt that partnering with the New City Jewish Center would create the community that we sought. However, as we recognized that our vision would not be fulfilled in the NCJC space, we decided to turn to the JCC. The JCC was very welcoming and has sought to create a plan that benefits both TBS and the JCC.
Is the JCC a competition to synagogues?
Rabbi Leiken grew up within a JCC community that was synergistic with synagogue life. He has explained how the JCC is an enormous benefit to synagogue life and should be embraced. Our competition is not from other Jewish institutions but from a lack of involvement in any form of Jewish life. By being in a vibrant Jewish institution, we will be able to achieve so much more.
What will happen to our current building?
We are currently in contract to sell our building to Cheder-Chabad of Monsey. They have been running their early childhood program in the building and have been good tenants and good neighbors.
What is the timeframe?
An application to the Attorney General needs to be made after a lease agreement is negotiated with the JCC. After all is approved, the Congregation will need to approve.
The Attorney General should review the paperwork in 6-12 weeks, after it is submitted. After the AG approves the plan, we will hold a congregational vote.
Where will the children start Hebrew School in September?
We will start in October. The plan is to have school in the JCC space, where they will remain for the year.
Do we have an idea how many Religious School Students we have?
We are speaking with families now and hope for all of the TBS RS families to be staying with us. Last year, we had about 65 students. It is our hope to keep most of them and to recruit others who have not been in religious school.
Do we have a budget for this move?
We are working on it. At this point, we don’t know what the rent at the JCC will be. Many expenses will be the same, but without overhead like roof, grounds, etc. We will have an investment committee to make an endowment decision. We plan to use the interest on the building proceeds to support our temple expenses with congregational approval. We will have a finance committee to create a budget.
Has JCC accepted us?
We are working on the lease now with the JCC.
Will we get a chance to see the space at JCC that we will be leasing?
We will create a video tour of the space. Current tenants are still using the space.
Is it a lease with the Jewish Community Center?
No, it’s a lease with Rockland Jewish Community Campus -- which houses the Jewish Community Center.
I have difficulty envisioning the space. What will be shared and what will be ours?
Everything within the 7800 square feet is for TBS. The space can be transformed for our needs. It has a separate entrance on the side and entrance through the main building. We are currently working with the JCC on the use of other spaces including the social hall. Our hope is to invest in both the social hall and the third floor in order to ensure it meets our needs.
Will we be in an exclusive Temple?
We do not think there is other space, but we have no say on who RJCC leases to. The ultimate goal is to create a vibrant Jewish Community.
Since we are tenants now are there other programs that can be held on Saturday?
Not on Saturday, nothing other than the gym is open. We have a separate space.
Where will the High Holy Days be held this year?
In the current TBS sanctuary. We are hoping to close sometime in the late fall, after the High Holy Days.
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