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Temple Beth-El of Great Neck

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Did Temple Beth-El of Great Neck always stand here, a beacon of Reform Judaism? No. Our story begins in 1928, with a simple yearning. Imagine a Great Neck with only 115 Jewish families, traveling to Brooklyn or the Bronx for services. A group of men, commuting on the 9:12 am train, decided this needed to change. Temple Beth-El of Great Neck’s roots lie in those train conversations. Initially, the congregation met at Community Church. For Rosh Hashanah services in 1928, 86 families gathered, marking a turning point for Jewish life in Great Neck. The congregation’s first rabbi, David Goodis, sadly passed away in 1930. But his successor, Rabbi Jacob Phillip Rudin, would shape Temple Beth-El of Great Neck for the next four decades. Under his leadership, the temple became a cornerstone of American Reform Judaism. The original building, erected in 1932 on Old Mill Road, expanded in 1950 and again in 1970. Temple Beth-El of Great Neck has hosted significant figures like Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke here in 1967, addressing the “two Americas.” Even comedian Andy Kaufman was a member! Today, Temple Beth-El of Great Neck continues to thrive, with a rich history. It boasts a vibrant community and a legacy of social action. Remember those first 86 families? Their vision laid the foundation for this vital center of Jewish life in Great Neck.

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