Making the Move from CRT to Temple Or Elohim, A Community Reform Congregation
In March of 1975, CRT moved from its home at the time on Ellison Ave. to the location it has occupied for 44 years. At the time, we marked that occasion by carrying the Torahs and walling to our new home. As we join together with Temple Or Elohim, we once again have removed the Torahs from the Ark and with our flags, brought them to Temple Or Elohim. We officially made our move to Temple Or Elohim on Sunday June 30. Congregants gathered in the Sanctuary one last time for a brief ceremony. Rabbi Judy removed the Torahs from the Ark one last time and gave a brief explanation of the proper way to hold and carry it, and then said the following:
“We are about to join a new entity, a new congregation made from two old formidable souls that have come together to create a marvelous new congregation that will be reinvigorated, that will be able to reach even further into the Jewish community of Nassau and Suffolk counties and we all should be very, very excited about that prospect. So today is the beginning of a celebration and I pray that celebration lasts generations.”
After reciting a brief prayer, we sang the Shema, and began the procession out of the sanctuary. We exited the building and walked up the Plain Road to the CVS parking lot in Westbury.
We then drove to Merry Lane in Jericho, and continued the procession to Temple Or Elohim. TOE members greeted us in the sanctuary where Rabbi Judy gave a few blessings. Then after saying HaMotzi, the unification began with a Shwarma lunch.