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Introduction |
Our History |
What Is Reconstructionism |
Mission Statement |
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Introduction |
Our History |
What Is Reconstructionism |
Mission Statement |
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Temple Beth Shalom is a warm, welcoming, and spirited community reflecting
the rich diversity of the American Jewish community at large. We come
together from varied Jewish backgrounds, including Reform,
Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox, and welcome interfaith
families, blended families, and individuals of all ages, races and sexual
orientation. Our strength lies in the energy, participation and commitment
of our members who work together to shape who we are. Our congregation has about 80 families and continues to grow. We believe our members play a vital role in developing and contributing to spiritual leadership. Our size allows us to have intimate and meaningful services, frequently led by our members. Whether led by clergy or laypersons, our services are lively and engaging, melding tradition with contemporary ideas, and where music and warmth intertwine with prayer and study. Temple Beth Shalom is more than a congregation – we are a community of friends that cares about each other, supporting you through tough times and rejoicing with you during simchas, or joyful events. |
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On October 17, 1970, TBS founder Metz Kranzel placed an ad in the Harrisburg Patriot-News
asking if any readers might be interested in a synagogue on the West Shore of Harrisburg. The respondents met in December and later received permission to use Christ Presbyterian Church
for Jewish worship. The first Shabbat service was held on April 23, 1971 with Rabbi David Ben-Ami as spiritual leader. In 1974, the Kranzel family donated land to build a synagogue outside Mechanicsburg. The Temple building was largely constructed by TBS members and dedicated in October, 1974. From the outset, our synagogue was built to accommodate worship, a religious school, community events and offices. Temple Beth Shalom affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation in 1982. In 1990, the congregation engaged Rabbi Carl Choper, who served our congregation through May, 2006. Rabbi Jordi Gendra-Molina has led the congregation since July 2006. In 2003 our sanctuary was renovated with the architectural and planning skills of TBS member Ted Brandow. |
  
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Reconstructionist Jews describe Judaism as the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people. As a civilization, Judaism encompasses not only religion, but also the history, literature, art and music, land and languages of the Jewish people, all of which form part of our people’s legacy and search for meaning. There have been various forms of Judaism in the many times and places in which our people have lived. As Judaism has entered the modern world, medieval forms of Jewish community and tradition have largely broken down. Jewish community and tradition are therefore once again in need of reconstruction. We believe that this reconstruction of Judaism must begin with Jewish communities, which are inclusive, supportive, participatory and egalitarian. Within these communities, we want Jews from all walks of life to be able to live out a search for ultimate meaning, value and purpose in dialogue with Jewish tradition. We appreciate traditional Jewish practice and teachings, and are also open to new forms of religious expression. Among ourselves we have a diversity of views about God. Yet, we share a sense that we have inherited a spiritual and cultural legacy that bears the mark and carries the lessons of our people’s life with God throughout the ages. We believe that tradition has a vote, but not a veto, in building the Judaism of tomorrow. The Reconstructionist movement originated within the Conservative movement in the 1920’s. In the 1960’s it organized as a separate movement. The first Bat Mitzvah was a typical Reconstructionist innovation. PERHAPS YOU ARE A RECONSTRUCTIONIST – AND JUST DON’T KNOW IT! |
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We commit
to religious, educational and spiritual growth by promoting the study,
practice and ideas of Recontructionist Judaism ... We are a family, in a
mutally supportive nonjudgmental atmosphere of continual learning ...
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