If you leave off the animals, the flood, the rainbow and any other specific details of the story of Noah, what you are left with is an immigration tale. Displaced by violence and an ecological disaster, our Biblical protagonist sets off in search of a new home. Much like many of our ancestors when they first came to America, he and his family must leave all but essentials behind, starting completely from scratch in a new land.
Seventy years ago this year, a group of newer immigrants and survivors sought to find their own religious identity in Western New York. New to the Amherst/Williamsville suburbs, they wanted a synagogue of their own. After meeting briefly in private homes, they contacted a local church to find space. That relationship with the Amherst Community Church became the springboard to the creation of Temple Beth Am. One of our Congregation Shir Shalom legacy organizations, Temple Beth Am benefited greatly from this relationship. The church welcomed us in with open arms, celebrating our early accomplishments and cheering for us along the way.
But, over time that connection was forgotten. Thanks to the leadership of Marta Herzbrun who is a member of both the church and our synagogue, we are restoring those sacred bonds, just in time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Temple Beth Am. Join us tonight, Friday, October 24th, at 7 as we return to our roots. We are grateful to Amherst Community Church for welcoming back with open arms. We look forward to strengthening this important and unique relationship in our congregational history.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex