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One cold wintry day in February of last year, three women sat in the living room of Mrs. Irving Zweibel’s home, chatting and discussing the possibility of forming a Jewish group in this suburban area. Over tea and cake, Mrs. Zweibel (Loretta), Mrs. Bob Block (Anne), and Mrs. Isadore Kaplan (Mary) set to work with vim and vigor and left no stone unturned in contacting the Jewish population of this community (Wayne). Thus, the basic step was taken.
It is surprising and gratifying to hear the results obtained from that afternoon’s labors. Practically all of the twenty-five families contacted were overjoyed at this prospect and readily agreed to become part of it. A meeting was planned and held on Washington’s Birthday, February 22, at the home of the Kaplans. Twenty-seven people attended.
Enthusiasm, divergent views, and amiability highlighted the entire evening, and at its close we had the magnificent sum of eleven dollars to our credit and not even a ledger in which to record it. So ready and willing were these men and women, so binding were their friendships that a steering committee was formed that same night, which proved to become the nucleus of the organization. At a later date, officers were chosen. Monthly meetings were held. Not always, of course, were these meetings easy to hold since a regular meeting place was still unobtainable and the population was growing. Eventually, the American Legion Hall became our landlord and our meetings were held there every fourth Sunday of each month. As time went on, various committees were formed and a bank account established. We were in business!
We are almost one year old now, on the eve of our first birthday, as it were. We are still far from thriving, from flourishing the way every Center hopes to, but we are indeed happy…to announce the “birth” of our first-born, our Sunday School. It is self-sustaining, normal and healthy, and needs little or no assistance from the Center.
Another event which has given us great pleasure is that the Jewish Community of Wayne Township held its first Friday night service on November 16th. This was the first such service ever to be held here! A Torah, placed in our own Ark, a Rabbi and a Cantor added to the joy of attending, and an Oneg Shabbat followed. We hope to have many more evenings as enjoyable as this was.
This is the fruit of our labors! It leaves us with a feeling of warmth and happiness, but it does not end there. We would desire, as every Center does, to have our own little place in which to meet, to see our name “Wayne Jewish Community Center” over the front door. We realize our youth, but as has been said before, we are willing and able. Much has been done but there is so much more to do.
Further history from an undated addendum
Our first president was Mr. Martin Rakitt, who was young, clever, and energetic. Under his guidance, the Center flourished and prospered. I was the Chair of Ways and Means, which I enjoyed immensely. The Golden Book came into being, supported by donations to commemorate members’ family events. Also, I initiated the lovely banquet cloth, yards of white linen on which were embroidered the names of donors. A number of women gave much of their time, doing a superb job on this project. Mr. George Nelson, one of our members with artistic talents, worked out the design. I believe it is still in use today by the Sisterhood…
There were many projects to raise funds. Our first theatre party left us with a profit of $91.50. Auctions, too, had their place in our roster of events. The women sewed aprons, baked cakes and cookies; others bought merchandise to auction. Our first dinner dance netted us $1100, due to the tireless efforts of our workers. There were so many worthwhile, practical accomplishments which matured for the good of the Center and it really was such fun.
Amidst all this, we set up a Building Fund and Education Committee because we felt the need for a place to worship and a school for our children. The American Legion Hall was fast becoming cramped quarters. It had served its purpose. We still did not have money enough to buy or build a place of our own, so we went shopping for a place that was convenient and conducive to our needs. Finally, through the kindness of the Preakness Christian Reformed Church on Valley Road, we had a a chance to use their facility, free of charge, when they were not using it. This was to become our home for a number of years. We later were able to purchase the structure when the Church moved to another location. A certificate of incorporation and the by-laws were prepared for us, without charge by attorney Phil Tanis. The incorporation and by-laws were accepted on May 26, 1957…
An important issue arose. Should we go “Conservative” or lean to “Reform” Judaism? There were mixed emotions among our members and it was a hard thing to decide. It was finally decided: Rabbis from the two different denominations would be invited, one at a time, to give us a little insight so that we had enough information to decide. The vote was taken on January 27, 1957, and the outcome of it all was that it went “liberal Reform.” Sad to say, I was not too pleased but I accepted it.
Now came the essential task of selecting a rabbi. We were still not that wealthy an organization to hire a full-fledged rabbi, so we contacted the Rabbinical College in New York to send us a bright, young student rabbi who would be willing to devote his weekends in conducting the Sabbath services and deliver a sermon. They sent us a bright, intelligent young man, Neal Brief. We were immediately impressed with him as each week he came and performed his duties. Whether he was paid or not, I do not, at this time, recall, but what I do remember is that since Wayne had no hotel or motel, nor did we have any money for such a thing, Anne and Bob Block graciously invited him into their home. It was a most generous offering and everyone certainly appreciated it. Rabbi Brief so endeared himself to the congregation that he was accepted as our full-fledged rabbi upon his graduation from Rabbinical School.
After a time, Rabbi Brief and the members decided that a more befitting name for the Wayne Jewish Center was in order, since it was now really a Temple in every way. The Rabbi submitted three names to choose from. By vote, our choice was Temple Beth Tikvah, in Hebrew, “house of hope.” At a later date, we hired a cantor for High Holy Day services and a choir was formed from our members. Things were coming along nicely, but then something unexpected was suddenly dropped in our laps. Uncle Sam decided he needed Rabbi Brief more than we did. After three years with us, he had done his job well. We were sorry to see him go.
Rabbi Shai Shacknai, a quiet, gentle man, took his place as spiritual leader and did a magnificent job until his untimely demise. Both Jew and gentile felt they had lost a good friend and leader, one not easily to be forgotten. During the time he was with us, land was purchased on Preakness Avenue. The beautiful new building was erected, one that accommodated the needs of our Jewish community. Besides the lovely sanctuary, the building had the social hall, the Rabbi’s study, the office, kitchen, spacious lobby, and, of course, the Religious School.
After Rabbi Shacknai’s passing, Rabbi Israel Dresner was hired. I could go on and on to tell you of the things that were done to make this a sound, well-organized, and practical facility in the years I was active. We have traveled far, a long way since we sat and discussed the possibilities for a little Jewish Center in Wayne. It has mushroomed to such incredible dimensions that we had never dreamed of. Clearly, we are truly proud of our creation, Temple Beth Tikvah.
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