Congregation Beth Tefillah, located on 452 Forest Avenue in Paramus, has recently undergone a social transformation; what was once a small Orthodox community has become a newly flourishing congregation.
The shul has come a long way in terms of reviving their community; a recent influx of new families have put the shul on many people’s radar. “It’s a dream and a vision come true,” said Rabbi Wolff, who has been serving as the shul’s dedicated rabbi for 13 years.
Active shul member William Yagoda, who also serves as one of the shul’s presidents, moved here in 2012 and was eager to do what he could to help the shul get back on its feet. Yagoda and his family made an effort to attract new families to their community, which was smaller when they first moved. “We felt there was a lot of untapped potential there,” Yagoda said. “It felt like a warm, out-of-town community where people looked out for each other and were happy to see you whenever you came.”
After Yagoda moved to town, he began actively looking for prospective families thinking about moving to Paramus. “We tried to get the word out however we could,” Yagoda said of recruiting new families. The town hosted many shabbatons, organized a community fair and used good-old-fashioned word of mouth to spark interest in neighboring communities. “I think the best marketing tool is getting people to come and experience a Shabbat with us,” Yagoda said. He wanted people to experience for themselves how warm and welcoming the community is.
Since the new families have moved, the shul has become a more lively place. A likely reason for that is because of the laughs and squeals of so many young children. “There’s a lot more excitement and enthusiasm,” Yagoda said. “Having the kids’ table at the kiddush definitely makes people smile.”
New families brought younger children with them, and the Safiers were one such family that got involved in revamping youth groups for the kids. The family, previously from Riverdale, had heard of Paramus but were unsure of how big the Jewish community was there. It wasn’t until they stayed for a Shabbat that they realized how much they loved the area’s small-town feel. “We were looking for a community with just one shul that we could call our own and feel a part of,” said Talya Safier, who is now in charge of the shul’s weekly youth groups. Safier mentioned that groups will be led monthly by members of Hisoriri, a YU-affiliated program where students visit and provide different Jewish communities a more enhanced Shabbat experience.
“Taliya Safier has done a great job organizing our youth department,” acknowledged the rabbi. He hears from both new and established members about how enriched the community feels and how exciting it’s been to see new faces.
More members are eager to stick around for the kiddush to eat and schmooze, and many invite other families in the community over for Shabbat lunch. “There’s a lot of new energy and a lot of good feeling,” the rabbi said.
The shul has welcomed their new families with open arms and neighborly love. Members organized “meal trains” to be able to provide dinner for the first week or so while new families moved and settled in. The community organized a schedule that was sent out via email so that they knew who was making dinner for which new family, and they could sign up to bring over a meal to a family that hadn’t been sent one yet.
The shul also has opportunities for members to engage in weekly Torah learning. The rabbi teaches a Gemara class, and also provides a broadcast shiur with Rabbi Mansour every Thursday night. During the holidays, such as Shavuot, the shul invites speakers from both within and outside of the community to hold thought-provoking and enlightening shiurim. Upcoming social events include a bowling event next week, which is another opportunity for the adults in the community to get to know each other.
The building itself may also be going through some changes. The shul’s next big project? A playground for their children. The plan is to expand the back of the shul to create more space for a sukkah and a place for children to play, the rabbi explained.
“There’s still more work to do,” Yagoda said of the future of the shul. “We feel like we’re only in the second inning of the revival, but there’s definitely a buzz out there.”
There’s certainly a certain charm to the Paramus community, the rabbi said of Beth Tefillah, which he describes as accepting and nonjudgmental. “I feel like no one’s looking over anyone’s shoulders. Everyone can be who they are on a personal level and on a religious level no matter where they’re coming from.”
By Elizabeth Zakaim
Elizabeth Zakaim, from Paramus, is a sophomore at The College of New Jersey, double majoring in psychology and journalism. She can be reached at [email protected].
