Temple Beth Am marks 60 years

In 1966, 30 families became charter members of Temple Beth Am, the House of the People, a newly formed Reform congregation. Services were held at Rockaway Meadow School and then at Troy Hills School in Parsippany. About 50 children were enrolled in the religious school, with members volunteering as teachers. Sisterhood, Men’s Club, and a youth group were formed. In 1972, Temple Beth Am opened the doors to its own building at 879 South Beverwyck Road in Parsippany. About 16 years later the building was expanded, adding a sanctuary, a new lobby, offices, and a library.

Throughout the years there have been many generational life-cycle events. Always an important presence in the community, Temple Beth Am’s members regularly volunteered in a Morris County soup kitchen, held blood drives, supported a HIAS initiative to house a boat family, and interacted with local churches through the Interfaith Clergy Council.

When the building was sold in 2020, TBA found a new home within the walls of a Conservative synagogue, Adath Shalom, in Morris Plains, where a new sanctuary was constructed. TBA remains active with a religious school, Friendship Club, choir, and weekly and holiday services in person and on Zoom. After 60 years, Temple Beth Am continues to provide residents of Morris County and beyond, a liberal, egalitarian, interfaith-friendly, welcoming congregation, led by its spiritual leader, Cantor Bruce Ruben.

On the first weekend in May, Temple Beth Am celebrated its 60th anniversary with a Shabbat reunion service featuring its choir. On Saturday night, there was a 60th anniversary gala dinner dance at Ravello’s in Roseland, followed by a breakfast on Sunday morning, with children and teachers from the religious school.