Belin Awards

How One Synagogue Honored Loved Ones Lost – and Found Community Anew

Chaim Harrison

Throughout the course of 12 years, Temple Shalom in Succasunna, N.J., experienced a number of hardships, ranging from financial difficulties to a decline in membership. As it turned out, though, the thing that would inspire this community to thrive once again was, well, the very community itself.

How a Suburban Synagogue is Creating Community by Hosting Events with a Big-City Vibe

Chaim Harrison

How do you lead a congregation and create cohesive community when your synagogue exists between two distinct communities? That was one of the challenges facing Oak Park Temple, which sits between the west Chicago suburbs and the northwest part of Chicago in the suburb of Oak Park, where more young families are increasingly relocating