CONGREGATION OF REFORM JUDAISM
The 1948 Liberal Jewish Fellowship became the Temple of Liberal Judaism in 1950. Joining the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, they quickly began planning for a building. In 1952, the name changed to Congregation of Liberal Judaism (CLJ). In 1953, CLJ had many firsts: a rabbi (David Susskind), confirmation, a wedding and a bar mitzvah. Rabbi Henry Shwartz served from 1956–1962 and then Rabbi Benno Wallach from 1962–1969.
Land was acquired in 1963 for the present site on Malone Drive. In 1970, with the building completed, Rabbi Larry Halpern came to serve the congregation and remained for 25 years. Rabbi Steven Engel became the congregation’s fifth rabbi in 1997. By 2001, the congregation had grown to 600 families. A name change in 2005 to the Congregation of Reform Judaism (CRJ) clarified the focus on Reform Judaism.
Cornerstone laying for Congregation of Liberal Judaism at Ferncreek Avenue and Robinson Street, May 27, 1951.
Before their first synagogue was built, CLJ’s services were held in temporary quarters, including the Ohev Shalom vestry and Florida Realtors Association building. Fred Hodes suggested that with 44 temple members and a growing High Holiday attendance, a larger building than originally planned should be built. Winter Park contractor Erik Hultin completed construction in time for the High Holidays in 1951.
L-R: president Clarence Bernstein, vice-president Ruben Stiefel, secretary Henry Mintz, treasurer J.Lyons and trustees Ed Bloom, Aaron Weiner, Fred Hodes and Miles Fried
Collections of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, originated by Marcia Jo Zerivitz, LHD, Founding Executive Director.
Clergy of Congregation of Reform Judaism (CRJ), 1950–present.
Following Rabbi Israel Kaplan visiting from Jacksonville in 1950, Rabbi David Susskind was hired full time in 1953. The only rabbi to serve as JFGO president, Rabbi Larry Halpern, was hired in 1970. Rabbi Steven Engel came in 1997 and continues to serve.
Congregation of Reform Judaism Archives
Congregation’s first building, 1951.
A synagogue is a place for worship, learning and assembly. All of these purposes were met with the new building. However, when Rabbi David Susskind arrived, finding office space became a challenge, since no space had been designed. A small storage closet was utilized. Anyone talking to the rabbi had to stand in the doorway—introducing the area’s first open-door policy!
Congregation of Reform Judaism Archives
Groundbreaking for CLJ’s annex building, 1957.
This $15,000 annex building would enhance the existing structure with five religious-school classrooms, additional restrooms, storage room and a larger study for the rabbi. In another ceremony six years later, the mortgage assumed for this construction was burned by congregants from funds raised at the annual congregational dinner dance.
L-R: President Aaron Weiner, Rabbi Henry L.Schwartz, Myron Loewen, Gene Nathan, Philip Opper and Solon Klepper
Congregation of Reform Judaism Archives
David Gluckman was the first bar mitzvah at CLJ, 1954.
In February 1954, the board of directors voted to institute bar and bat mitzvah. Community leaders Flossie and Sidney Gluckman’s son David celebrated his bar mitzvah during his father’s term as president of the congregation. Rabbi Benno Wallach’s daughter Naomi was the first bat mitzvah at CLJ in the early 1960s, and Wallach was the congregation’s rabbi at the time.
Congregation of Reform Judaism Archives
In 1963, Congregation of Liberal Judaism began a cemetery atWoodlawn Cemetery, 2016.
In 1958, Congregationof Liberal Judaism’s membership had reached 107 families. Discussionsbegan and avenues were explored for a suitable spot to have a congregational cemetery. In 1959, there was talk about joining with Temple Israel in a communal area, but in 1961, a vote called for the establishment of an independent CLJ cemetery within Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha, FL. Two years later, with 165 members, the vision became reality and CLJ’s cemetery began. The land, purchased in the 1960s remains the congregation’s cemetery today.
Ava Maxwell
This synagogue has been home to CRJ members for 53 years, 2005.
Photo by David Balser
Just after the election of congregation president Henry Greenberg, a five-acre parcel of land was brought before the board as a possible site to build a new synagogue, 1964.
The $30,000 property on Malone Drive was accessible to Lee Road and I-4, as well as from two side streets. On September 13, 1964, the congregation voted for the acquisition and the wheels were set in motion to proceed on CLJ’s next major building project.
Congregation of Reform Judaism Archives
The synagogue on Malone Drive has undergone expansion and renovation several times, 1981.
After moving into the congregation’s new (and present) location on Malone Drive in 1970, CLJ’s growth flourished. Activities were constant, space became cramped and a building expansion was a necessity. Groundbreaking for a new sanctuary, mini sanctuary/all purpose room and lobby began in 1981. Dedicated in 1982, the new sanctuary’s adornment was praised by congregants as awe-inspiring and a perfect space for worship.
L-R: Al Ziffer, Burt Bines, Buddy Kaplan, Betty Monroe and Billy Jacob
Collections of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, originated by Marcia Jo Zerivitz, LHD, Founding Executive Director
Rabbi Steven Engel and Beverly Engel (second row on left) teach by example leading a group of students and adults on CRJ Mitzvah Day at Rock Lake Elementary School, 1997.
Performing good deeds in the Orlando community is the theme of Mitzvah Day at the Congregation of Reform Judaism. For this project, congregation members painted the classrooms and front wall of Rock Lake Elementary School.
Congregation of Reform Judaism
Team CRJ before the fourth annual Riding4Reform cycling event in Israel, 2007.
This was a 250-mile ride from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, on to the Sea of Galilee and Haifa. Throughout their journey, they visited Israeli Reform congregations and brought a message of friendship and support from Orlando. Supported by CRJ congregants and friends through pledges to IMPJ (Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism), Team CRJ joined other committed Reform Jews from Israel, North America and throughout the world to help achieve the vision of creating a more pluralistic, just and equal Israel.
Bottom to top: Rabbi Steven Engel, Alex Sacharoff and Cliff Selsky
Rabbi Steven Engel
CRJ’s First Mission to Cuba visits the Patronato, Havana’s synagogue and community center, 2011.
In 1959, before the Revolution, about 15,000 Jews lived in Havana. More lived outside the capital. Nearly 95 percent of Jews left Cuba for the US after the implementation of a communist government. Today, there are fewer than 1,500 Jews in Cuba. The 1953 Patronato, renovated in the 1990s, symbolizes the revival and future of the Cuban Jewish community. This was a licensed mission to visit with and bring medical supplies to the isolated Jewish community. The group met with congregants in two synagogues and visited a Jewish cemetery and a public elementary school, bringing educational supplies and books for the students.
Front row L-R: Michelle Greenburg, Ross Greenburg, Nancy Walk, Beverly Engel, Catherine Schackman, Michael Schackman, Lynn Kehoe; second row L-R: Chet Peckett, Barbara Peckett, Gail Gold, Mitchell Walk, Emily Glickstein, Marty Glickstein; third row L-R: Robert Gold, Ava Maxwell, Michael Maxwell, Cindy Blechman, Sarah Wood, Lee Norber, Eric Norber; fourth row L-R: Sally Brown, Harold Forman, Melanie Forman, Rabbi Steve Engel, Noreen Levitt,Mark Blechman, Samantha Halperin, Ally Halperin, Pam Levin, Jessica Levin, Bernice Schwartz; Back row: Asher Pinsky, Pierre Haskelson, Gil Kemp
Dr. Eugene Schwartz
CRJ participates in Christmas Day Meals on Wheels, 2013.
Partnering with Seniors First of Orange County to prepare and deliver Christmas Day Meals-on-Wheels, early risers Kelsey Maxwell, Michael Maxwell and Alex Maxwell are among the group of 150 volunteers who met at CRJ to prepare food and pack 600 holiday meals to be delivered to elders unable to leave their homes.
Dr. Martin Alpert
CRJ’s “Proud Reform Jew(s)” participate in the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial Conference, Orlando, 2015.
Every two years, Reform Jews gather at the Reform Judaism’s flagship conference, the URJ Biennial, to immerse themselves in Judaism. They explore synagogue life and gather new ideas, study with scholars and celebrate with friends. The WRJ (Women of Reform Judaism) Assembly meets at the same time. Throughout the week, 450 Jewish women from around the world gather with 4,500 Reform Jews at the Biennial to learn, connect, worship and strengthen the future of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Marla Feldman, who once served CRJ as assistant rabbi, is the executive director of WRJ.
L-R: Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, Helene Becker, Diane Myers, Ellen Snyder and Carolyn Weinstein
Helene Becker
CRJ Madrichim celebrate Sukkot, 2014.
Sukkot is a week-long festival when Jews traditionally eat and sleep in a sukkah. It has an open roof made from branches and hanging fruit to celebrate the harvest and to commemorate the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Inside the sukkah at nightfall, the stars can be seen shining through the open roof. During Sukkot prayers, the lulav and an etrog — agricultural symbols — are waved in six directions symbolizing that God is everywhere.
L-R: Coby Scanlon, Shoshana Scanlon, Jenna Richman, Georgia Bernbaum and Maya Milsom
Congregation of Reform Judaism Archives
The wedding of Sammy Goldstein (L) and Bill Yahner was the first same-sex wedding at Congregation of Reform Judaism, October 17, 2015.
Goldstein’s daughter Rabbi Shana Goldstein-Mackler officiated. The couple is in the sanctuary under the chuppah. Same-sex marriage was legally recognized in Florida on January 6, 2015. L-R: Elahna Goldstein, Cassie Knoess, Arlenys Casanova, Brian Goldstein, Sammy Goldstein, Bill Yahner, Hannah Mackler, James Mackler, Kevin Knoess and Kayla Knoess
Derek Smith