Ohev Shalom Celebrates 40 Years in Bucks County, Gives Gift of Free Hebrew School and Membership to the Community

Richboro, PA…An idea that blossomed in 1976 among a tiny group of local Jewish families to create a warm and welcoming Conservative synagogue has reached a landmark anniversary this spring. Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, located in Richboro, PA, is celebrating 40 years of supporting the spiritual, cultural, educational and social needs of its vibrant 500-family community as a progressive, Conservative synagogue. The milestone achievement has provided the synagogue a unique opportunity to pay tribute to its past through a series of forward-thinking gifts to the community, such as tuition-free Hebrew School through third-grade and complimentary membership for unaffiliated families whose oldest child has not yet reached third-grade.

Nomadic Beginnings

In its infancy, Ohev Shalom was nomadic, renting space for religious services from a Friends Meeting House and holding Hebrew School in congregants’ basements. Its first Passover drew 22 families to a model seder.

After membership jumped from 60 to 120 families, and property purchased from Addisville Reform Church was no longer sufficient, High Holy Day services were conducted in tents. The “Era of Tents” lasted three years, during which time congregants endured excess heat, torrential rains and unseasonable cold. A proactive commitment to building its own home began. In 1983, 240 families celebrated the dedication of Ohev Shalom’s new sanctuary. Almost 10 years later, the sanctuary was refurbished to make it a beautiful spiritual setting for prayer and life cycle celebrations.

From Rabbinic Student to Rabbinic Thought Leader in a Progressive Congregation

One year before acquiring its permanent home, members of Ohev Shalom had another milestone to celebrate: Rabbi Eliott Perlstein – who had supported the synagogue tirelessly as a student rabbi since its inception – graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in June of 1982. Immediately, he assumed the full-time position as the synagogue’s spiritual leader, a position he proudly holds today. Under his leadership, Ohev Shalom has fostered strong bonds with its Christian neighbors, affirmed the synagogue’s commitment to Israel and welcomed world-renowned authors, musicians and religious leaders into its sanctuary.

As a thought leader who believes American Conservative synagogues must support the needs of today’s American Jews, Rabbi Perlstein and Ohev Shalom members have adopted a broad congregational focus on inclusiveness that ensures everyone has a place in the Jewish community. This progressive approach to Conservative Judaism is highly evident in such initiatives as the Inclusion B’Kavod Committee, which ensures that all members of Ohev Shalom are able to participate meaningfully in activities at the synagogue. In some cases this has meant increasing physical accessibility within the sanctuary, enlarging print, and holding customized services for individuals with sensory sensitivities. It has also meant bringing High Holy Day services to those who are bedridden. To fulfill this mission, Ohev Shalom is one of the rare Conservative synagogues that livestreams Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. “I see this technology as a gift for inclusion rather than any type of intrusion into the service or tradition,” Rabbi Perlstein stressed.

Ohev Shalom has formed an Interfaith Family Outreach Committee comprised of congregants interested in understanding how the synagogue can best address the issues and needs of interfaith families. Ohev Shalom’s first Interfaith Shabbat was held in 2014. “Families need to feel that all their members are supported and welcomed by our community, regardless of whether or not they are Jewish. Acceptance serves to help the family grow stronger and more deeply connected, despite differences in beliefs,” he explains.

Most recently, the hiring of Cantor Annelise Ocanto-Romo has created a new form of inclusiveness through her efforts to help all members of Ohev Shalom connect with music in their own way. “The old days of classical cantorial singing to a hushed audience have transformed into a new era of synagogue music,” Cantor Ocanto-Romo explained. At Ohev Shalom, this has meant the addition of musical instruments, a choir, writing original music, and even the use of wordless melodies to encourage participation. “It is Ohev’s unique way of teaching the young, elevating the traditions of our senior members and bringing everyone in between together,” said Cantor Ocanto-Romo.

Adapting to the Future by Making Ohev Shalom’s Hebrew School and Membership More Attainable

A key part of turning 40 for Ohev Shalom has included assessing what steps it should take to meet the needs of today’s Jewish community. Thoughtful reflection among Rabbi Perlstein, the Board of Directors and the Membership Committee has yielded a new free Hebrew School and membership initiative. The program offers tuition-free Hebrew School through third-grade and dues-free synagogue membership to unaffiliated families whose oldest child has not yet reached third-grade. (An existing or new family would start paying membership dues when that child enters third grade, or Aleph). The goal is to enable new families to experience the vibrant and dynamic congregation and all that it has to offer. “We believe that a family’s relationship with a synagogue needs to form before they are billed for synagogue membership,” explained Rabbi Perlstein.

According to Board President Barry Klein, the synagogue’s ability to offer this program is possible because of its established history. “We can only do it because we are a successful, thriving community that has inspired people to support our cause financially, thus enabling us to connect with the next generation,” he stresses.

Looking internally, Ohev Shalom has identified ways to support the financial needs of its current membership. Contributing to the synagogue’s building fund has recently become voluntary. In addition, a newly announced “refer a member” program will provide rewards and recognition to members who inspire others to join Ohev Shalom.

“The reaching of this 40-year milestone is truly a gift to our Ohev Shalom family and we are excited to give this gift back to others,” said Rabbi Perlstein.

ABOUT OHEV SHALOM OF BUCKS COUNTY

Ohev Shalom (located at 944 Second Street Pike in Richboro) has been serving the Jewish community of Bucks County since its founding in 1976. Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, it is a vibrant and dynamic congregation that is committed to serving the spiritual, cultural, educational and social needs of its congregational family. Ohev Shalom celebrates the uniqueness of each individual and welcomes diversity within its sacred community.

For information about Ohev Shalom, go to www.ohev.org or call 215-322-9595.