Why B'nai Tikvah - Congregation B'nai Tikvah

The following are a few of the letters received by our Membership Committee.

Our family has been a member of CBT for more than 18 years. We joined when we first moved to North Brunswick from NYC, complete strangers to the area, with a small child and no links to anyone, or anything, nearby. Happily, we soon found a very welcoming and "hamish" community at CBT. We quickly made many friends and easily became part of the larger community - first through the wonderful experience in the nursery school, and then within the religious and cultural fabric that CBT offered. In all the time that passed, we put both our kids through nursery school, Hebrew School, and Chai School (youngest currently enrolled), as well as Bnai Mitzvah for both. The congregation had truly become an extended family for us, and a very important part of our life.

Although we moved about 10 years ago - a bit further away and more of a drive - we never considered leaving the Congregation, even though our current location provides opportunity to link up with other congregations in Princeton, Somerset, or Hillsborough. In fact, in recent years we have found our connection to CBT deeper and more meaningful than ever before. In recent years in particular, B'nai Tikvah has really evolved and become more vibrant. Offerings available for personal and spiritual growth are numerous; opportunities to learn, join, or participate in meaningful events and activities have really grown. Likewise, people are always reaching out and connecting. This became so evident recently when, sadly, we had a death in our family. The support, sensitivity, and out-poring of love and kindness from so many friends at CBT was very special, and truly brought us peace and comfort. In particular, both the Rabbi and Cantor were so caring and considerate in the guidance and support they gave us. Having personally gone through a period of great sorrow and need, it became very clear how fortunate we are to be part of CBT.

Since we joined so many years ago, CBT always has been so much more than just "our shul". It has been a vital part of our life here, and will always be.

Rose & Jeff B., Hillsborough

The school year 2007-2008 I was SA/TO (Social Action/Tikun Olam) chair for the North/South Brunswick's USY (United Synagogue Youth) Chapter Board. I have a great time being involved in the chapter, making new friends at every chapter meeting and or regional event. All the kids are great and together we help out the community in a lot of different ways. The summer of 2008, I went on USY on Wheels: Mission Mitzvah for six weeks. It was the best summer of my life. I will never forget the "ruach" we chanted on every Shabbat. I have never experienced such an intense jewish experience and I got to spend it with the best friends I could ask for...all because of USY!

Rebecca

From the moment we stepped foot in the building, my husband Doug and I felt a connection. Tradition and family are just some of the things that make our 15 minute commute from East Brunswick well worth it. B'nai Tikvah maintains the traditions I grew up with and have begun enjoying with my children. And, the people. The members create the family and strong sense of community I was yearning for following the untimely passing of my father in 2004.

Whether you attend a holiday service, a special event, or family Shabbat dinner, there is an amazing sense of community and it's the membership, Rabbi Wolkoff and Cantor Rockman that help generate that warmth and sense of belonging.

In addition to the synagogue, the pre-school program has been an amazing experience for our family. We met our closest friends through the Mommy and Me Program and it was easy to fall in love with the staff. They nurture and motivate the kids and mine have always looked forward to going to school. Knowing they love school and love going to shul makes me happy and confident that the traditions my parents instilled in me have become an integral part of my children's lives, as well. Not only am I proud, but my father is kvelling too!

Syndi and Doug S., East Brunswick

We joined because our children were ready to attend Hebrew school and got a whole lot more from B'nai Tikvah as a family. In addition to our children getting a great Jewish education, our family was welcomed by a great group of people who were eager to include us in many interesting activities. Our oldest son had a wonderful Bar Mitzvah experience. His preparation with the Cantor was never a burden to him. He received very personal instruction and was celebrated very publicly throughout the congregation. His hard work was obvious and the congregation's enthusiasm and pride was evident. It was a wonderful experience for our entire family and we learned a lot too.

Since we live in East Brunswick, we had other (closer) choices for a synagogue. Never have we regretted the decision to drive to B'nai Tikvah. In fact as the kids in the carpool got older, we considered it 20 minutes of conversation well spent on the day's activities.

Marcie and Steve

As an interfaith couple, choosing a synagogue where my husband, an observant Catholic, felt comfortable was of the greatest importance to me. At first I considered several Reform synagogues in the area, thinking a less "observant" environment might make him more at ease. But I grew up in one of the three synagogues that became B'nai Tikvah, and that's always felt like home to me. So Chris agreed to give it a try. Imagine our surprise and pleasure when we found a truly accepting place for us and our children. From me being welcomed as an active member of the community (even serving on the Executive Committee for several years), to him being on the bimah during our first daughter's bat mitzvah and being the first non-Jew to lead the congregation in prayer on a Shabbat morning, we've always found an accepting and welcoming community. Chris has never been treated nor felt like an outsider, which made us all feel comfortable and happy that we selected B'nai Tikvah to be our Jewish "home."

Kim and Chris

Our daughter, Arielle, became a bat-mitzvah this past June. It was an exciting, exhausting, educational, and spiritually fulfilling experience for all of us. Besides a day forever etched in our collective memories, many moments which took place during the months leading up to this occasion will forever stay close to our hearts. Time we spent working together on her centerpieces, which depicted the endangered wildlife she is so committed to help save. Listening to her practicing and "performing" for us the reading of her Haftorah and Torah portions, and the different versions of her D'var Torah. Watching her engage with the Rabbi in discussion about her Parsha. Seeing how truly she was committed to her ideals, as she insisted on a vegetarian reception and "eco- friendly" (e.g., faux leather) kippot.

And then, of course the day itself. Her poise, her confidence, her skill and knowledge, and how beautiful she appeared! The years spent learning and growing at Solomon Schechter Day School were evident, and we will be forever grateful to the wonderful teachers she had there.

And how thankful we were (and are) that she had the good fortune of going through this milestone experience with our family here at B'nai Tikvah. When she was sitting on the side up on the bima, next to Cantor Rockman, we could see them talking and relating to each other like friends, the culmination of months of a wonderful chemistry and collaboration between the two. NO ONE can make preparing for a bar or bat mitzvah less of a burden and chore, and more of a fun learning experience for a young adolescent than Cantor Rockman!

And when Rabbi Wolkoff spoke with her on the bima that day, it was as if he had known her since she was an infant. He seemed so genuinely proud and pleased with her, and said so many wonderful things, we were convinced that she had become his favorite bar/bat mitzvah of all time (-though we are sure that other bar/bat mitzvah parents have felt the same way, both before and since our daughter's celebration- and is this not the mark of a wonderful rabbi?).

Finally, there is the congregation itself. To have the opportunity for our daughter to get up there on the bima on a Shabbat morning, to read from the torah and haftorah and to lead services, is something we will always be grateful for. To belong to a congregation that fully embraces women as equal members and participants has been a blessing to our daughter, and to all of us. We are very proud of our daughter, and very pleased to have shared our celebration with our B'nai Tikvah family.

Allen and Nadine