Temple Beth Tikvah

Temple Beth Tikvah was established in 1956 by a group of 15 Jewish families eager to come together to meet, study and worship and to provide a place where their children could learn about their Jewish heritage. Within the next few years, the fledgling congregation received its first Torah, affiliated with the Reform Movement and chose to name the n... ew Temple, Beth Tikvah, House of Hope. By 1960, the congregation had swelled to 150 families and had welcomed Rabbi Shai Shacknai as its first full-time spiritual leader. Our beloved Rabbi Shacknai guided the young, committed Wayne Jewish community through its early years until November 1969, when both the Temple and the entire Wayne community suffered a tragic loss with his untimely death. Meanwhile, Cantor Charles Romalis had been engaged as the Temple's first and only full-time Cantor in 1966. Throughout the years, Cantor Romalis has continued to serve the congregation with warmth and dedication. We are justly proud that music has always played a significant role in the life of our Temple thanks to our Cantor's talent and creativity. As the congregation struggled to regain its spirit and hope following the death of Rabbi Shacknai, the Temple retained Rabbi Israel S. Dresner, who ably served our congregation for 25 years. He retired in 1995 to become Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Tikvah. Rabbi Dresner was and continues to be instrumental in transmitting the beauty of our heritage and in teaching Jewish values to children and adults alike. Throughout the years, Temple Beth Tikvah's Religious School grew and prospered. It has continually provided a high quality Jewish education which has encompassed every aspect of Jewish learning from preschool through the 12th grade. Our students have become B'nai Mitzvah and B'nai Sinai(Confirmands) on our Bima since our inception. Indeed, many of those students remained affiliated with Temple Beth Tikvah so that today, our membership consists of many intergenerational families. Our Educator, Ellen Goldin, continues to introduce ...Read More