Beth O’r/Beth Torah celebrates its 50th in style

To mark the 50th anniversary of Congregation Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Howard Kastner blows the shofar, as he does every Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Congregation Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Howard Kastner blows the shofar, as he does every Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Bureau Chief/Central

June 26, 2008

Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, the Conservative congregation in Clark, began celebrating its 50th anniversary last October, when it honored all its past presidents at a special Shabbat service. On June 1, the celebration, led by outgoing president David Brotman and incoming president Wendy Mandelbaum, culminated with a gala dinner-dance at the temple. About 170 people attended, including a few founding members.

With Mandelbaum serving as its 28th president, Beth O’r/Beth Torah is entering its second half-century with a careful balance of old and new. After intense debate two years ago, the congregation voted against a proposed move to Westfield, opting instead to stay put in its premises at 111 Valley Road.

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Thelma and Arthur Purdy were honored for their 50 years of dedication and service to the congregation.

With further discussion, they also decided — following the departure of Rabbi Michael Klayman — to appoint their cantor, Steven Stern, as their religious leader, rather than hire another fulltime rabbi. According to Brotman, that has made it possible for them to balance the budget, while rejuvenating programming and boosting part

icipation in services. According to congregants, that all made for a very upbeat mood as they celebrated their big anniversary. Mandelbaum said the June 1 gala was just as they had intended, “a truly joyful family reunion, with all these people coming together, feeling good to see each other.”

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