Montgomery synagogue decides on new name to reflect mission

From Jewish Community Center of Belle Mead to Congregation Kehilat Shalom

By: Jake Uitti
   MONTGOMERY — After several months of discussion, the Jewish Community Center of Belle Mead, a 25-year-old congregation located on Belle-Mead Griggstown Road, decided in May to change its name to Congregation Kehilat Shalom — Hebrew for "Community of Peace."
   The name was changed, said Rabbi Michael Tayvah, the synagogue’s full-time rabbi, because the old name led to some confusion about the nature of the institution — which, he said, is that of a synagogue, not of a typical community center with recreation facilities.
   Congregation Kehilat Shalom, which has about 150 member households, is the only synagogue located in Montgomery Township.
   "The synagogue is a combination of a house of worship and religious instruction," said the rabbi, who is beginning his third year with the synagogue. "Judaism is a civilization, not just a religion. So our synagogue is a place promoting Jewish culture and identity. It’s a place where people come together."
   Rabbi Tayvah said the synagogue also focuses on aiding its members in times of need, citing the recent death of a 56-year-old member of the congregation of an unexpected heart attack.
   "The synagogue is also a vehicle to support the members," the rabbi said. "We focus on acts of kindness and helping out others who are in need."
   Rabbi Tayvah continued, "Over the years, the population in Montgomery has increased a lot and has become very diverse. We’re one of the diverse religions here in Montgomery. Lots of people are getting involved in the dialogue of the township."
   The synagogue offers Kehilat Shalom Hebrew School for students in kindergarten through seventh grade, run by fourth-year principal Dori Daus. The Hebrew school puts a strong emphasis on the community, Ms. Daus said.
   "We have regular Israeli dance classes, monthly cooking lessons, monthly craft activities and music," she noted. "We also have a volunteer children’s choir where we sing Israeli and Jewish songs."
   In addition, the synagogue offers Kehilat Shalom Hebrew High, a school for older students, as well as an adult school.
   "Our focus is on making Hebrew school an enjoyable experience so that the kids always want to come back," Ms. Daus said.
   Congregation Kehilat Shalom is part of the Reconstruction Federation, which is a movement within Judaism, Ms. Daus said.
   "We are an evolving culture, that is how we view Judaism," she explained. "Our community tries to make informed decisions based on historical texts and what’s currently happening around us."
   On Sept. 22, the synagogue will hold Rosh Hashanah services from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and on Sept. 23, there are many activities scheduled for the holiday — including guided Jewish meditation and prayer — from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
   Over the course of the year, the synagogue will hold other events, including one on the evening of Oct. 13, when the synagogue will hold its Simhat Torah celebration at 6:30 p.m.
   "It will be an evening of dancing and celebrating with the Torah scrolls as we end and begin the yearly cycle of reading the first five books of the Hebrew Bible," Rabbi Tayvah explained of the October event. "The last two years, we’ve had enough adults to unroll the whole Torah around the room, held up by those present, with the kids in the middle, and we did a quick tour of what’s where and who’s who in the Torah."
   More information on Congregation Kehilat Shalom is available at www.jccbm.org.