Hearty ‘mazel tov’
Washington Jewish Week
As a former active member of the Shaare Tefila congregation when it was located in the Riggs Park neighborhood, I wish a hearty mazel tov to all its members, who, after praying in different locations for five years, finally have plans to move soon into a new location (“Nomads no more,” WJW, July 7).
Reflecting on the history of D.C.-area synagogues with which I have been affiliated, it appears that most have experienced moving to different locations, often merging with other shuls.
When I grew up in Southwest D.C., I attended Congregation Talmud Torah. The Southwest neighborhood underwent redevelopment during the ’50s, at which time that synagogue was demolished. After moving into B’nai Israel’s former location and also the Hebrew Academy, Talmud Torah merged with Ohev Sholom. A new shul was built and dedicated in 1960, known as Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah Congregation.
After serving as spiritual leader, Rabbi Hillel Klavan retired in 2002 and was followed by Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld in 2004. Many new members have joined this congregation, now known as Ohev Sholom-the National Synagogue.
After Shaare Tefila moved to the White Oaks neighborhood in Silver Spring, my family moved to Silver Spring, near Temple Israel located on University Boulevard, where my two sons became bar mitzvah and my daughter was confirmed.
Eventually Temple Israel merged with Beth Tikva, now known as Tikvat Israel in Rockville; Beth Sholom moved and finally built a new shul in Potomac; and B’nai Israel moved from the District to its present location in Rockville. I davened at all those synagogues, including Har Tzeon now located in Silver Spring.
As people move, and some synagogues move and merge in the D.C. area, let us hope that shuls continue to grow throughout the world, and, if felt necessary, move on.
LARRY ROSEN Rockville
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