Rabbi Moshe Douek stands amid the construction that will soon result in a new home for Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe in Eatontown.
Photo by Jill Huber
July 22, 2008
Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe in Eatontown is aiming to complete the construction of its new home by the High Holy Days in the fall.
“That’s our goal,” said Rabbi Moshe Douek, the Orthodox synagogue’s religious leader. “We pray that the construction will be complete so we will be able to observe these holy days in our new building.”
The new 13,000-square-foot facility on Whalepond Road, which is being built by S and D Builders of Clifton, will contain a sanctuary with a study room in the rear, along with a separate sanctuary for synagogue youth. There also will be a social hall and office space, and onsite religious education sessions for adults and young people.
The congregation has moved around a bit since its inception 15 years ago. Religious services for the original 20 family members were conducted on a rotating basis in the members’ homes, Douek said.
As the congregation grew, the synagogue purchased a house on Whalepond Road 14 years ago.
When construction of the new facility began three years ago, the house, which was on the site of the proposed structure, was demolished. Since then, the synagogue has been operating out of a 1,500-square-foot trailer near the construction site.
“We started with 20 families, and now we have 120 families,” Douek said. “Our motto is to love all Jews and to make all Jews comfortable at whatever religious level they seek. This unity will help us to succeed in building a community of pride for the Jewish people. Our goal is to love each other and encourage people to enjoy their religious experiences. Our new facility will be a comfortable place of joy and contentment.”
Judaism should never be regarded as a “burden,” he said.
The new facility will encourage congregants to feel a sense of comfort and serenity, which, the rabbi said, “will encourage others to join our community and become part of our family.”
Most of the synagogue members are of Sephardi origin, although there also are Ashkenazi members, he said.
“Everyone is welcome here,” said Douek. “That’s the beauty of our community. There are many young, vibrant members in the congregation, and we’ve also seen an increase of grandparents’ interest in the religious life of their children and grandchildren. Many have moved to this area to be near their families, and they, like anyone else, receive a warm welcome from our family.”
Douek was ordained eight years ago at Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood and has been the religious leader at Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe for the past year, succeeding Rabbi Steven Amon.
Douek and his wife, Mazal, who is the director of the congregation’s girls’ study programs, have five children between the ages of one and 10.
When it comes to facing a challenge, Douek said, his family and the members of the congregation are a constant source of inspiration and incentive, especially as he watches the progress of the construction.
“Life is about challenge, and the more you succeed, the better you feel when you’ve completed the task, especially if it was a hard challenge,” said Douek. “When I look at the progress of our new home, and think about our desire to conduct the High Holy Day services there, I know it will happen. And then we’ll continue to send the message that there is beauty, acceptance, and joy in the Jewish community.”
Additional information about Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe is available at www.eatontownshul.com.
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