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 Community Calling Card
Benton Harbor,Illinois,USA (26/07/2009)
Temple B"nai Shalom The greater Benton Harbor, St. Joseph community has about 40,000 people. The community is nestled on Lake Michigan and is a beautiful summer vacation spot. The bluffs of Lake Michigan are a beautiful place to watch the sun set. I have to say, a Lake Michigan sun set from the west coast of the lake is as beautiful as a sun set in Hawaii. The Jewish community of Benton Harbor began 114 years ago. At one time there were 3 synogogues. 1 Orthodox, 1 Conservative, and 1 Reform. In 1961 there was a merger between the Orthodox and the Conservative communities. The congregation was then called B"nai Shalom. 10-15 years later, B"nai Shalom merged with the Reform community and became Temple B"nai Shalom. The Temple B"nai Shalom Community currently has 100 family units. Many of these units are elderly individuals. Less than 20 of these units are families with young children. The congration celebrates all major Jewish Holidays and Festivals and holds weekly Shabbot services. We also have an annual picnic and an annual Shabbot on the beach. We have an active Adult Education program which includes a book club and speakers througout the year.&n bsp; The congration is currently struggling with a dwindling number of young families with children. However, we continue to hold weekly Sunday School for 12 children and Hebrew School for 3 children. We have conections to programs through both the Detroit Jewish Federation and the South Bend Jewish Federation. We would love to hear from other communities. Please contact the following individuals. Karen Riffer-Reinert 269-767-2138 bythepoolside@aol.com |
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