L’dor V’dor—From Generation to Generation 

Temple Beth Tikvah was established in 1956 by a group of 15 Jewish families eager to come together to meet, study and worship and to provide a place where their children could learn about their Jewish heritage. Within the next few years, the fledgling congregation received its first Torah, affiliated with the Reform Movement and chose to name the new Temple, Beth Tikvah, House of Hope.

By 1960, the congregation had swelled to 150 families and had welcomed Rabbi Shai Shacknai as its first full-time spiritual leader. Our beloved Rabbi Shacknai guided the young, committed Wayne Jewish community through its early years until November 1969, when both the Temple and the entire Wayne community suffered a tragic loss with his untimely death.

Meanwhile, Cantor Charles Romalis had been engaged as the Temple’s first and only full-time Cantor in 1966. Throughout the years, Cantor Romalis has continued to serve the congregation with warmth and dedication. We are justly proud that music has always played a significant role in the life of our Temple thanks to our Cantor’s talent and creativity.

As the congregation struggled to regain its spirit and hope following the death of Rabbi Shacknai, the Temple retained Rabbi Israel S. Dresner, who ably served our congregation for 25 years. He retired in 1995 to become Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Tikvah. Rabbi Dresner was and continues to be instrumental in transmitting the beauty of our heritage and in teaching Jewish values to children and adults alike.

Throughout the years, Temple Beth Tikvah’s Religious School grew and prospered. It has continually provided a high quality Jewish education which has encompassed every aspect of Jewish learning from preschool through the 12th grade. Our students have become B’nai Mitzvah and B’nai Sinai (Confirmands) on our Bima since our inception. Indeed, many of those students remained affiliated with Temple Beth Tikvah so that today, our membership consists of many intergenerational families. Our Educator, Ellen Goldin, continues to introduce new ideas and innovative programs to our Religious School’s outstanding curriculum.

Rabbi Stephen Wylen became Temple Beth Tikvah’s spiritual leader in 1995. His strong emphasis on all phases of Jewish education is apparent to our students of all ages.

Having joyously celebrated Temple Beth Tikvah’s Golden Jubilee in 2006, we remain a warm and caring community that continues to honortradition. At the same time, we are dynamic, progressive and possess a strong social conscience. Our leaders and our congregants are regularly inspired to pray, learn and practice Judaism and to engage in acts of Tikkun Olam (deeds to help repair the world). Temple Beth Tikvah remains committed to supporting the diverse spiritual, educational, cultural and social needs of our Temple family.

Our House of Hope is far more than just a “house.” It is a home for the Jewish community in which God’s presence, values and teachings can be found, transmitted and used as a foundation upon which to build a strong and meaningful Jewish life for each of our families.

We invite you to visit us at our spiritual home. We hope that you will want to make it your home as well. Our door is always open. We look forward to extending a warm and sincere welcome at any time.