[PHOTO] Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah Sanctuary Dedication

Release submitted by Temple Beth O'r/Beth Torah.

On the eighth day of Hanukkah 5773 the Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah family celebrated a miracle of its own, the Dedication of our beautiful Bima Window Wall.  Many of our members contributed to this achievement, none more than the two donor families whose great generosity made the wall possible.  Their largess sparked in a number of our members, past and present, a desire to contribute to the beautification of our Sanctuary by sponsoring the Dedication Ceremony.

A Mincha service led by Cantor Steven Stern began the program. Jonathan Phillips, Executive Vice President, welcomed the people in the overflowing sanctuary and introduced Dr. Felella Millman who led the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and Hatikvah. In his remarks, President Howard M. Silverman described the creation of the Bima Window Wall as a “new beginning” for Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah as we enter our 55th year.  After thanking the many volunteers whose work made the Dedication possible he then introduced Patricia Werschulz, President of the New Jersey Region of United Synagogue, who brought a message of congratulations.  Also offering congratulations to the congregation were temple member and Clark Councilman Alvin Barr on behalf of Clark’s Mayor and Township Council and Freeholder Bruce Bergen on behalf of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Martin Richstein, Chairman of the Bima Window Wall Committee, spoke about the development of the Wall from design conception through the construction process to completion. Cantor Stern closed the ceremony with a Dvar Torah and a dedication prayer which concluded with, “May the light that enters through our windows illuminate our lives and uplift our souls.  May we be sturdy and steadfast as the stone of Jerusalem.  May this House of Torah and House of Light be a welcoming sanctuary to all who enter, so that your presence shall dwell amongst us, now and always. Amen.”

Past president Arnold Young blessed the bread with the HaMotzi prayer and an elegant dinner reception, beautifully catered by the Lavroff family’s DeliKing of Clark, concluded the evening.  We danced the hora, caught up with old and new friends and proved once again that Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah knows how to throw a great party. The entire event was a great success filled with warmth, joy and love for our beautiful temple and our beautiful temple family. May we always go from strength to strength.