Smithtown's First Presbyterian Church Welcomes Congregation Ahava

By Chad Kushins

Last February, members of Smithtown’s Temple Beth Shalom were surprised and saddened to find financial Temple Beth Shalom - Photo by Jennifer Kleihardships plaguing the routine tasks of running their Edgewood Avenue location. Negotiations began to sell the structure outright or to merge with an outside church. This left the congregation in a state of uncertainty.  While the long-range future of the temple is still uncertain, thanks to dedicated Cantor Judy Merrick, members have found a new, yet temporary home, in the heart of Smithtown, at the First Presbyterian Church at 175 East Main Street.

“The Temple had been a regular participant in our yearly Thanksgiving Eve services for many years,” First Presbyterian Church Pastor Rev. James Hulsey told Smithtown Matters.  “So, we had rotated those services for the community among several houses of worship and Judy [Merrick] was there with us … We had that form of relationship prior to the temple’s location troubles.”

“It was ideal to go and do this,” Merrick told Smithtown Matters.  “I went to Rev. Hulsey, asking for a spiritual space really so that the people of the temple would have their spiritual space and I can run services, but I can tell you, it isn’t easy.  We just started, and it has been a lot of work … The temple has been in Smithtown for fifty years, so there is a lot going on emotionally.”

According to Rev. Hulsey, Merrick had contacted him this past May hoping that an arrangement could be reached so the temple’s congregation would be able to continue their own means of worship as a community. The governing board of the First Presbyterian Church was enthusiastically unanimous in their decision to allow the temple to host its services within the church.

“Judy wanted those from Smithtown who worshipped together to be able to stay together and continue to worship together here in Smithtown, rather then have to go to other, nearby temples or synagogues” Hulsey continued.  “That was the real aim.  So, we discussed the logistics of it, but it was an unanimous decision.”

Judy MerrickMerrick concurred, adding, “I couldn’t find just any holy space.  In this situation, you can either find a holy space, or create one – and we needed to move fast.  Really, it doesn’t matter what space or what faith it is, since a holy space is a holy space.  My idea was truly created hundreds of years ago by rabbis who held services in churches – and this is how I saw it.”

Hulsey added that, because Merrick was originally uncertain how much of the temple’s congregation would follow suit in attending their regular services at the Presbyterian Church, it was agreed that any fees that would normally be attached to renting a space within the church be waived for the first three months.  “We usually have ‘building-use fees’ when offering a space to an outside group,” said Hulsey, “but we said, ‘they’re just starting out, having to move their services and not being sure if it’s going to work out, so let’s just let them give it a go for a few months.’”

Merrick added, “Also, the location is truly wonderful, since there is a history there [at First Presbyterian].  It’s over two-hundred years old, which I find very beautiful, and it’s historical to Smithtown.”

Having begun their temporary tenure with the Presbyterian Church on July 6th, the three-month ‘grace period’ for the church space will, at least, carry the temple’s devout community members through the upcoming high holy days – one of the factors in allowing such a quick move.  Merrick, however, is quick to note that the temple’s officials are unaffiliated with the current usage of First Presbyterian Church – something that has divided opinions among the temple’s longstanding community members.

“I am calling this new congregation ‘Congregation Ahava,’” Merrick added, “which is Hebrew for ‘love.’  I see this as something new, and I am trying to just keep my people from the temple together.”

James HulseyAccording to Hulsey, such an arrangement isn’t unique to the Temple Beth Shalom’s current plight, as, in the past, several faiths denominations have turned to each other in times of community need.  “It’s not something that has never been done before,” he added, “so, in terms of our membership at the church, everyone was happy that we were in a position to do it.  I think that, initially, all of us were just sad, since it’s just a sad thing when any house of worship has to close.  And, so it just seemed like the neighborly thing to do.”

Located at 433 Edgewood Ave in Smithtown, Temple Beth Shalom was originally founded in 1956, becoming the major physical presence of Judaism for the Smithtown community.  Temple Beth Shalom was known as a “progressive Conservative congregation” and welcomed visitors of outside faiths.  The Temple shared the building with a catering facility which no longer exists on the premisies creating economic challenges for the Temple.

Originally speaking with Smithtown Matters upon the first public notice of the temple’s financial troubles in February, both Director of Building and Grounds Richard Rafle and Temple Beth Shalom Board of Trustees Director Dr. Shafer Zysman were adamant that the temple would remain open and functioning.  “The temple is not going to be moving,” Rafle initially said.  “We hope to re-build our congregation even larger and even stronger.  We had originally co-habitated in the building with a caterer, but all we’re planning now is a similar arrangement with a church.”

At the time, Zysman shared Rafle’s optimism, commenting, “Our overall plan is to sell the current facility to another religious organization and then make our arrangements to also stay … The main thing is that we are a congregation with diverse ages and backgrounds, so really, we’re re-organizing to suit our needs.  Of course, after the sale, the intention is to stay where we are – but this congregation and community would be strong anywhere.”

Zysman had added, “The main focus is that there is never a dissolution of this community, and that Judaism has a presence in Smithtown.”

Although the future of the Temple Beth Shalom is uncertain, Zysman’s ultimate hope of keeping the faith’s presence in Smithtown has already proven successful, with over two months left on the temple’s grace period within First Presbyterian Church and the possibility left open for a long-term commitment at that location. 

For this possibility, Merrick remains hopeful.  “I’m taking these three months, knowing that it is summertime and people are away or may be too busy to see the new services,” she said.  “But within these three months, I will be able to see how successful it is.  After that, hopefully, we will be able to continue the services on a regular basis as a full congregation.”