Temple Shaaray Tefila celebrates a half-century of community

Cantor Inés Szterenberg a few years ago has been a popular addition to Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford Corners.

By MARTIN WILBUR

Marian Gassman vividly recalls how the congregation that would become Temple Shaaray Tefila was launched in 1975. A group of friends were having dinner together discussing — and some lamenting — the choices available to join a synagogue in northern Westchester.

Some in the group suggested starting their own congregation, but there were more questions than answers.

Interim Senior Rabbi Dennis Ross speaks to congregants at a special Shabbat service Oct. 24 commemorating the 50th anniversary of Temple Shaaray Tefila.

“We didn’t know where to begin, but one of the things that we did in a short period of time was we put an ad in the Pennysaver about having a meeting, and one of the couples was friends with somebody at the Unitarian Fellowship (in Bedford) and they offered us the room to have a meeting,” said Gassman, a Goldens Bridge resident and one of the congregation’s founding members.

Part of the 9-acre campus of Temple Shaaray Tefila including its social hall, ahead, and its Early Childhood Center to the left. 

From those humble beginnings, Temple Shaaray Tefila — Hebrew for Gates of Prayer — was formed, with people from the small group of 25 families leading services in the spring of 1976. They contacted the Union for Reform Judaism, and by the summer they met David Greenberg, a young rabbi, who despite retiring a few years ago, had been the only head rabbi the congregation has had.

Starting with the High Holy Days in late September, and continuing through next spring, the synagogue is celebrating its 50th anniversary year with a calendar of monthly events. On Oct. 24, there was a Shabbat service and dinner that was the congregation’s Proclamation Day, where local dignitaries honored the congregation with proclamations. The celebrations will culminate with a Jew-Bilee fundraiser in June.

For longtime members and those closely involved with the Shaaray Tefila community, the combination of being a close-knit, family-centered congregation that offers quality education and a strong moral compass has been key.

Interim Senior Rabbi Dennis Ross, who has been leading the more than 500-member congregation since last year as a committee searches for a new permanent rabbi, said throughout the decades members and staff have been able to build “relationships for life” that remain strong.

“When I came here, I was very impressed with the leadership and the strength in the congregation, the strong educational program, the strength of the music offerings, the preschool, how the school cares for kids and for families,” Ross said. “Just a very impressive congregation.”

Move to current site

Worshiping in those early years continued at the Unitarian Fellowship, which included the start of the congregation’s religious school. After about five years, Greenberg learned of about 9 acres for sale on Baldwin Road that was part of the old Shallow Brook Farm and the estate of J.C. Baldwin Jr., an attorney. The parcel that has been home to the temple since 1982 contained a music hall, which was converted into the sanctuary, and the main house, which today serves as the social hall.

About 25 years ago, the congregation built the two-story Early Childhood Center, which houses Temple Shaaray Tefila’s preschool and religious instruction classes.

Gassman said it took quite a leap of faith for the congregation to take on such a financial responsibility. Plus, the building that would become the sanctuary had pool tables, not pews. The space had to be cleaned, and in the early years, the seats were folding aluminum chairs.

“We paid a lot for it as a young congregation at that point, but it wasn’t at market price,” Gassman recalled.

One of the unique features of the synagogue is the amount of land that the temple has, which allows for outdoor space for the preschool and religious school students, which included ample social distancing during the pandemic, and outdoor services in good weather, not to mention plentiful parking. 

While the property may be different from what other congregations have, which may catch the eye of visitors, there are many other qualities that retain people, said the congregation’s current president, William Glenn. In fact, about 20% of the congregation has belonged for at least 25 years, said longtime member Eloise Goldman.

“I don’t believe people stay because of the grounds, but they love it and I think they’re attracted to it to visit, and when they visit, they meet our folks and I think it’s a complete 360 picture,” said Glenn, a 26-year member whose three daughters all celebrated their Bat Mitzvah at Shaaray Tefila.

Social action a cornerstone

What has been a key component of the congregation from its infancy has been charity, making a difference in the community and for those in need. This week, hundreds of volunteers were toiling to feed more than 4,000 people struggling in one manner or another to have a memorable Thanksgiving.

But there are efforts large and small throughout the year that seek to improve other people’s lives. There is a sandwich brigade, blood drives, students participating in the Midnight Run, and more.

Glenn said the congregants pretty much align with the values of giving back to the community. It’s not only a place for religious observance and for Jewish education, but for families to share in the experience of helping others.

“I guess the best example of that is I am convinced that because our daughters have been through the school and Bat Mitzvahed and have attended synagogue with my wife and I, that our family as a whole, and especially our kids, are more empathetic, giving and charitable,” he said.

Shalyn Courtenay, whose parents were members when she was a child, has returned to the congregation and leads the Social Action Committee. For Courtenay, making the world and your community a better place is an essential part of the Shaaray Tefila experience. 

Now that her two children are in college and high school, she’s grateful to have exposed them to the same invaluable benefits and opportunities that she had.

“One of the things I try to impart with the family, it’s all about doing good,” Courtenay said. “I don’t care about anything else. I just want us to be good people and give back and love one another.”

An eye to the future

The congregation’s rabbi search committee is expected to continue the search through this year with the goal of appointing a new permanent rabbi effective July 1, Goldman said.

With interim leadership provided by Ross, the congregation has continued to receive strong religious leadership. Cantor Inés Szterenberg arrived at Temple Shaaray Tefila about three years ago after coming to the U.S. from Argentina. Greenberg will remain rabbi emeritus.

“Fifty years is more than a measure of time — it’s a testament to the enduring values, meaningful relationships, and vibrant spirit that have shaped our community,” Greenberg said in a statement. “It has been a profound honor to be part of this remarkable journey. I look forward to seeing Temple Shaaray Tefila continue to grow and thrive for the next 50 years and beyond.”

For Glenn, the example provided by the congregation’s founders a half-century ago helps lead the path forward for Temple Shaaray Tefila.

“What we’ve talked about, what they’ve built years ago, not knowing what was going to be there, but knowing it was going to be sacred, we’re obligated to move forward and to keep moving forward, and to strengthen,” Glenn said. “Our goal is to continue to strengthen our sacred community and relying on what the founders did.”