Croton Jewish Center Consolidates with First Hebrew

Contributed by the First Hebrew Congregation: After months of planning, the consolidation of Croton Jewish Center with First Hebrew Congregation became official earlier this month.  To celebrate, congregants, community members and local politicians came together, last Sunday, for religious and social events at both locations, ending with a backyard barbecue at First Hebrew.

 First Hebrew, a Conservative synagogue in Peekskill with close to 200 families, and Croton Jewish Center, a much smaller synagogue located in the Town of Cortlandt just outside of the Croton-on-Hudson village limits, have served their communities for many years, some for multiple generations.  Each brings its unique traditions and culture to the newly consolidated congregation.

“Everyone at First Hebrew welcomes the Croton Jewish Center membership with open arms,” said First Hebrew President Mark Stern, “and we look forward to including their spirit and energy, along with their beautiful synagogue building and grounds, in our congregational life and activities for many years to come.” 

Croton Jewish Center began its life as a Conservative synagogue in 1985 in a historic manor house, having evolved from a Reconstructionist congregation, Anshe Dorshe Emes which had its roots in Ossining in 1965.  With a membership of about 50 families, Croton Jewish Center provided an intimate atmosphere where members prayed, learned, cooked and socialized for many years.  Last fall, economic pressures finally led them to close their sanctuary doors, although their non-denominational nursery school continues to operate.

 “We wanted to pool our resources with another congregation as there is strength in numbers,” said Seth Rowland, Croton Vice President, “and First Hebrew seemed like a natural fit.  Our members share many connections – philosophical, personal and in community spirit.”  The two congregations had been collaborating on outreach programs in recent years such as the Hudson Valley Kadima/USY Youth Group, a collaboration between four area synagogues providing social events open to all Jewish teens in the area.

First Hebrew, one of the oldest congregations in Northern Westchester, has been inspiring generations with pride in their Jewish heritage for more than one hundred years.  Formerly called First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill, they recently decided to drop the Peekskill reference, prior to talks with Croton, to better reflect their membership; First Hebrew has been attracting families from many of the towns that surround Peekskill for years. 

First Hebrew Congregation maintains its original building in downtown Peekskill for services in the Orthodox tradition.  However, it functions as a Conservative synagogue in a building they recently renovated to celebrate their 50^th year at their “uptown” location on the border of Peekskill and Cortlandt.  Both the Croton and First Hebrew non-denominational nursery schools will continue to operate since they serve different needs in the surrounding communities. 

The Consolidation Celebration began with a prayer service and light brunch at Croton Jewish Center, after which Croton’s Torahs, Jewish religious scrolls, were ceremoniously driven to First Hebrew.  They were carried into their new home under a “chuppah,” a traditional decorative canopy held up with poles.

Linda Puglisi, Cortlandt Town Supervisor, presented an award to honor the newly combined efforts of these congregations to continue providing dynamic and meaningful educational and social programming to the community.  “As I look around at so many families gathered here today, I am reminded the reason we are here is for the future of our children and our grandchildren,” she commented.

Westchester County Legislator John Testa as well as George Oros, Chief of Staff to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, also spoke formally about the important role religious institutions play both spiritually and in community service.  Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster and NYS Assemblywoman Sandy Galef were also on hand for the celebration.

“Together, we are stronger than when we were separate,” stated First Hebrew Rabbi Lee Paskind.  “We’re looking forward to a vibrant future for Jewish families in Northern Westchester.”  Rabbi Paskind serves on a committee, blended from both congregations, exploring how best to use the “Croton campus” to benefit the community.