A small advertisement placed in the local Jupiter newspaper in December 1982 resulted in a meeting of approximately fifteen families, all interested in the formation of a Reform Jewish congregation. From this meeting came the nucleus of the Reform Temple of Jupiter-Tequesta, now known as Temple Beth Am, and in early 1983 we were so chartered by the State of Florida. In November 1985, we were accepted into membership in the UAHC.
From the very beginning, ours was a multigenerational congregation, serving young families as well as retirees. That remains true today. Early on, we became the proud recipients of a Holocaust Torah, which is on permanent loan. This Torah led us on our journeys from homes, school libraries, bank lobbies, and churches for our Shabbat services. Our religious school went from homes to commercial malls. Our lay people developed and taught the curriculum. We observed the holidays where we could rent space; we observed our Passover Seders in church, condominium or public school social areas; we observed Purim with a carnival in the park, and we built our Sukkahs in members’ backyards.
At last we rented space in a storefront, which remained our home until 1996. During this interval, we utilized the services of part time ordained rabbis or students from HUC who would visit us once or twice a month. In the meantime, our school, now led by a professional educator, grew to the capacity of our space. In 1994, we purchased 6.5 acres of land and in 1996 we moved into a temporary 12,000 square foot building with a full time rabbi and a membership of 122 families. In December 2004, we were happy and proud to take occupancy of our new 30,000 square foot facility. We have completed installation of stained glass windows in our lovely sanctuary, and in our chapel, and our school wing is bustling with preschool students and religious school students.
Today, Temple Beth Am is a congregation of over 400 families, and our religious school has a current enrollment of over 185 students. Our preschool has 110 children who love being a part of our NAEYC accredited facility. We have received two additional Torahs, one a survivor of the Bolshevik revolution. Our membership includes many interfaith families who fully participate in the activities and programs of the Temple.
Innovative programming, both for worship and education, is integral to our congregational life. Over ten years ago, we instituted a Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith service with our neighboring churches, which is now an annual observance. During Rosh Hashanah, we observe Taschlich at the beach. Our religious school students participate in Family Shabbat services each month, and age appropriate Tot Shabbatot introduce our youngest congregants to a welcoming worship experience. Our Simchat Torah service is a highlight, too, as adults support a completely unrolled Torah to surround our youngsters, as they are treated to a guided tour through the scrolls.
Well-attended educational programs conducted by our rabbi include a series entitled "Lunch and Learn" with various topics and Talmud study. Adult Hebrew courses are taught by religious school faculty. Adult education programs focus on a variety of topics including politics, literature, stem cell research, music, and Jewish history; our diverse programs welcome a distinguished faculty. Thought provoking film screenings are followed by lively discussions.
Our annual Mitzvah Day includes religious school students as well as adult congregants of all ages. After a welcome and breakfast, participants disperse throughout the community. We have assisted with home repairs and landscaping for a family whose child has cancer; facilitated a picnic for individuals with Downs Syndrome and their families; entertained at Morse Geriatric Center; visited homebound elderly; worked at a nature preserve, and helped at a local wildlife sanctuary. The day winds down back at Temple with a barbeque. Our youth group held a car wash to benefit those affected by the hurricanes, and has raised funds to provide scholarships for 2 children to Camp Jenny, the regional NFTY Mitzvah Corps that services underprivileged youth. In addition, Temple Beth Am sponsors a team for the local Race for the Cure, and participates in collections for local food pantries, toy and book drives, and efforts to support our servicemen and women. Synagogue-wide “Mitzvah of the Month” programs have us involved in social action and service on an ongoing basis.
Our young people are our jewels. Our preschool and religious schools are outstanding. Paula Deakter, director of the preschool, also served as religious school director for many years. Beginning June 2005, she chose to focus solely on preschool. Our religious school director is David Sherman, a dynamic educator with extensive involvement in designing innovative and unique child- and family-based Judaic learning experiences. Our first synagogue Youth Director, Lindsay Waldman, was remarkably effective at strengthening the youth groups and mobilizing young people into action, at temple, within the community, and in the region. Now studying to be a Cantor, she left a legacy for our new Youth Director, Yael Luski Lawrence, to carry forward with even more enthusiasm and ruach.
The past few years have been a time of significant transition for Temple Beth Am. Our membership has increased and we have moved into our new facility. Our rabbi, Alon Levkovitz, together with his lovely family, arrived at Temple Beth Am in July 2006 from East Hampton, NY. In just a short time Rabbi Alon, his wife Gali, and their children are already fully involved in our community. In July 2007 we welcomed our full time cantor, Bruce Benson to the temple. Rabbi Emeritus Phil Aronson and Cantor Bruce Benson have been thoroughly enjoying the cooperative and collegial relationships with Rabbi Alon; we have all benefited as this has served to enhance the harmonious environment as well as the spiritual and educational opportunities for all members of Temple Beth Am.
A major goal now for Temple Beth Am is to expand our membership to fully utilize our new facility. This goal seems reasonable in light of the expanding Jewish population in our area. A few years ago, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County completed a demographic study that showed that Federation’s service area, the greater Palm Beaches, represents one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in North America, with 137,300 individuals living in 69,000 Jewish households. They identified a 45% increase in Jewish households in northern Palm Beach County as compared to their results 6 years ago. As these data suggest, we are experiencing dramatic growth in our service area and are planning today for these future needs. Plan to visit and participate in the enthusiastic and dynamic experience that defines Temple Beth Am: the warm and welcoming spiritual and educational home for Reform Judaism in Northern Palm Beach County.