2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

made a two-year commitment to (1) attend a one-hour-long seitsitization workshop as a family to prepare for the experience, (2) have
their pre-school age student attend six Yaldeinu sessions learning side by side with Yaldeinu students, and (3) in the second year,
participate in special monthly Shabbat Services at the SJCC during which the Yaldeinu students and the SJCC students participate in
a specially designed Junior Congregation program.
SILVER
SHAARE ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE
250-500 University City, MO
Submitted by Marsha Birenbaum 314-727-1747
We are committed to including all of our members’ participation in worship. This past year we have begun several
initiatives to promote inclusion of all our congregants, as well as welcome the participation of visitors or relatives to our
services and programs.
Built in the 1950’s, our sanctuary’s bima sits on a stage, with steps leading to lecterns and Torah table. Many
of our congregants had difficulty climbing the steps, and members or visitors in wheelchairs were unable to ascend the
bima. One of our members, confined to a wheelchair since his 20’s, had not had an aliyah since his Bar Mitzvah.
We decided to build an extension of the bima, to be closer to the congregation, and to add two side ramps with
handrails, leading to a new lectern. The result is a more intimate sanctuary, with access for all to have Torah honors and
aliyot. Additionally, the member mentioned above was able to have his first aliyah in over 30 years.
Other initiatives to promote inclusion include the purchase of assistive listening devices for the hearing
impaired, as well as the addition of large print siddurirn. Our renovated parking lot includes additional well-marked
handicapped parking spaces, and our building entrance leads to an elevator that runs continuously during Shabbat and
holidays.
We are proud of our efforts to include all of our members in our programs and services, and look to continue
ways to encourage participation.
SILVER
B’NAI SHALOM
250-500 West Orange, NJ
Submitted by Bennett Schwartz 973-731-0160
B’nai Shalom’s renovation campaign included a new sanctuary. In order to make it wheelchair accessible, we installed
double entry doors. The bima also a ramp that is wide enough for a wheelchair.
Our new sanctuary also has a center shulchan. The shulchan has a step which converts into a ramp for a
wheelchair and is also wide enough for a wheelchair. The table on the shulchan was also made to accommodate
wheelchairs. The table is adjustable and can be lowered to allow those in a wheelchair to receive an aliyah.
We have a number of large print siddurim. We received a grant for the hearing impaired and this system is
also available in the sanctuary.
ISRAEL/MASORTI AFFAIRS
GOLD
NORTHERN HILLS SYNAGOGUE BETH EL
100-250 Cincinnati, OH
Submitted by Sonia Milrod 513-931-6038
Supporting Israel is a key core value of Northern Hills Synagogue-Congregation B’nai Avraham (Appendix 1). In 5766,
forty-four members visited Israel; in 5765 fifty-eight visited. Of a 205-family congregation, that’s a high percentage.
Each year, all those visiting Israel are acknowledged in a special recognition on Sukkot. Many of our members have