The History of Salem's Jewish Congregation
Temple Beth Sholom (TBS) is a
Reconstructionist Jewish congregation in Oregon's capital city of Salem.
TBS was established by a dedicated core of early residents in the
Pacific Northwest. Salem's Jewish community began organizing in the
1930's, holding it's first meetings in private homes.
Gatherings soon moved to an old building at
the corner of Chemeketa and Commercial streets in the heart of old
Downtown Salem. Services were held three flights up, around an old wood
stove, with about 20 to 30 people participating. The Salem Jewish
Congregation incorporated in 1937.
Salem's first building committee was established on October
18, 1934. Its activities were interrupted by World War II but started up
again in 1947 with a building fund drive that raised $18,000 in pledges
from 36 donors. The first Temple was located just north of Downtown
Salem on Broadway Street.
The first meeting in the congregation's new synagogue,
Temple Beth Sholom, was held on January 20, 1948.
Initial membership was 28 families. The first Sunday School meeting took
place on October 8, 1948. From those initial 28 families, TBS membership
has now grown to 140 membership units (families, seniors, couples, and
singles)
The Growth of TBS
Temple Beth Sholom remains Salem's only synagogue. For 40 years,
religious support was provided by visiting rabbis, cantors and
professional lay people. Salem retained its first full time rabbi in
1987.
At a time when the future of Judaism is seen as being challenged, this
Pacific Northwest Jewish community continues to expand. Adult members
are studying and stretching, youth are engaged and enthusiastic. After
five decades at its Broadway location, Temple Beth Sholom was faced with
a beautiful dilemma - it had grown too large for its home.
Beginning in 2000, the TBS board sought solutions to the cramped quarters
on Broadway. The board explored appropriate and practical solutions to
the space and programmatic needs of the community. The TBS community
initially decided to renovate and expand the current facilities. The
capital campaign raised more than $1.6 million, mostly from the
congregation community - an astounding accomplishment given the
congregation had never raised more than $30,000 in any similar effort.
As preparations were made for the renovation, another option appeared. Our
Savior's Lutheran church in South Salem had also outgrown its facilities
and was moving. TBS decided to purchase the Cunningham property and
forego the renovation of the Broadway Temple.
On September 17, 2006, the members of TBS, with the overwhelming support
and participation of the Salem community, marched the Torahs 5.2 miles to
their new home.
Connected to the Past, Moving to the Future
While we
were somewhat melancholy about leaving a space so full of
wonderful memories, traditions and history, we are equally excited about
our contribution to the dreams of our founders in establishing a vibrant,
growing and self-sustaining Jewish community in Salem, Oregon.
Our New Home
Our congregation is thrilled to finally be in our beautiful new home after
so many years of hard work and determination. We have only just begun to
understand the myriad of opportunities that this new space will provide
for us as a community.
Already, the feeling in the synagogue is different than anything our
congregation has ever enjoyed. We are alive with activity, excitement, and
community involvement. There is a buzz in the air that is attracting new
members and bringing back into the fold those who have been away.
Now the real journey begins - making the most of this new facility in its
potential to serve our members now and into the future. You can help us
in this endeavor with your donation to our building fund! We invite you to make your donation online, and help us in maintaining our new home
and building a vibrant and secure future for generations to come.
