Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah Celebrates 30 Years

Read the story by Johanna Ginsberg in the July 28th edition of New Jersey Jewish News

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Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah
Time Line 1973 - 2005

1973-1974 Phillip Bardash, Irving Gavrin, George Kace, and Stanley Kaplan, all members of Lake Hiawatha Jewish Center get together to form a traditional orthodox minyan. Henry Zames (Toby Bardash's father) is also part of this minyan. Initially, they worship at the home of Stanley Kaplan on Stephen Terrace and later switch to the Bardash home on Linda Street. A Torah is acquired by Stanley Kaplan and is still in regular use

1974-1976 The group selects the name of Congregation Ahavat Torah and needs to rent space to accommodate a growing minyan. They select the Colony Plaza on Route 46 West and rent space in the basement of western-most of the three office buildings.

1976-1997 Better accommodations are found on the first floor of the most eastern building of Colony Plaza where the congregation has two rooms, one used for davening, the other for kiddishes. But the space is small. While Louis Goodman is president, the shul takes the opportunity to purchase a house at 113 Hawkins Ave. The date is September 9th, 1985. The house is close to the current location and will provide the opportunity for expansion and better facilities. The Congregation remains at the Colony Plaza location until 1997. Also in August of 1985, the Yazersky family loans a Torah to the shul. Mrs. Edna Yazersky is a sister to Carl Levitt an early member of the shul. The Torah is still in regular use.

1987 - 1990 Congregation hires its first rabbi, Rabbi Zev Don Rausch. Until this time services are led by congregants. About 1988, the shul holds an awards ceremony honoring various members for their years of service. Rabbi Rausch leaves for a position in California in 1990. During this period the Congregation acquires a third Torah from the former congregation of member Art Ziffer. That Torah is no longer in use and has been sold. Another project the shul undertakes is running a community Hebrew School under the guidance of Beverly Weiss. Membership was not required and for several years it provided an opportunity for children in the community to get a Jewish education.

1990-1995 The Congregation hires Rabbi Zev Leibowitz. He remains until 1995.

1993 The eruv is completed during the tenure of Lewis Golovin as president.

1995-1996 The Congregation spends time preparing 113 Hawkins Ave. for constructions. Construction begins in 1996 under the leadership of Lewis Golovin and Barry Levitt. Julies Weiss heads fundraising for the project.

1997 The first synagogue function is held at 113 Hawkins Ave. It is a luncheon to celebrate the aufruf of Danny Goodman.

1997-2002 The Congregation hires its third rabbi, Rabbi Samuel Klibanoff. Rabbi Klibanoff stays until 2002 when he leaves to assume a pulpit at Atlantic Beach Jewish Center in Nassau County, NY. Also during this time Norman Druckman and two of his friends undertook the renovation of a back porch into a library for the shul.

2001 The Congregation changes its name to Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah to fulfill the terms of a bequest from Bertha Graw in memory or her brother, Samuel Graw. Instrumental in arranging the bequest is congregant, Dr. Abe Speiser. The ceremony commemorating the name change was March 18, 2001. Also in 2001, renovations are made in the basement of the shul to provide a space for kiddish preparations and partaking in the kiddish. These events occurred under the presidency and vice presidency of Bernard Brothman and Alan Gellerstein respectively.

2002 Congregation hires its fourth and current rabbi, Rabbi Shalom Dov Lubin. The search committee is headed by Louis Goodman

2004 The Congregation acquires a new Torah through a donation from Bernard Brothman and Marsha Hoch. The ceremony celebrating the acquisition is May 10, 2004.

2005 The congregation purchases a new aron to house its 3 Torahs, a new mechitza and refurbishes the sanctuary with new carpeting. Louis Goodman and Gersh Goldberg spearhead the acquisition of the new aron. Spearheading acquisition of the new mechitza are Marsha Hoch, Constance Pallas and Naomi Rotter