ColumbusChange
Temple Beth-El, Hillsborough Upcoming Event Dates & Tickets
Saturday
AUG 23
6:45PM (EDT)
Discourse on 7 Divine Laws to Awaken Your Best Self
Temple Beth-El, 67 U.S. 206, Hillsborough, NJ - 08844 Bal-MukundAbout this Venue
History of Temple Beth-El
While only a taste of our history, this page outlines how Temple Beth-El was founded and how it has grown over the years since 1953 into a vibrant community of over 500 families. You can follow links on this page to learn more about our current congregation.
Creation
In the summer of 1953 a group of young Jews in the Somerset County area organized a community-wide meeting. The purpose was to consider how to establish a synagogue alive to the spirit of Judaism, yet consistent with modernity. Their efforts led to the founding of Temple Beth-El on August 27, 1953. Several of those 15 families are active congregants to this day.
Growth
Just a few years later, our founding members purchased property in Somerville for the expanding congregation. This space was dedicated on September 9, 1960. The existing house on Altamont Place became classrooms and offices, while the carriage house became the sanctuary/social hall and the kitchen. These facilities made possible new ways to reach Temple Beth-El’s vision and commitments to the Jewish community.
Future
Rabbi Tarfon taught in Pirke Avot: “You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to abstain from it.” The many people who since our founding years have embodied that teaching have written the history of this congregation. We now share this history, and it is up to us to write the next chapters. We have so much to continue to build upon.
