Just months after informing its congregation that it might have to sell its 10-year-old building due to declining membership numbers and increased financial pressures, Temple Judea of Bucks County’s future is looking brighter.
According to Temple President Len Saffren, new developments have made it possible for the temple to remain in its Rogers Road, Furlong, location at least through 2025. Among them has been an outpouring of support from past and present congregants.
Moreover, Saffren pointed out, Small Wonders, which provides preschool and kindergarten classes and summer camp for children, has extended its management agreement to continue at the temple through at least June 2025.
The preschool has 158 students enrolled for next year with some openings remaining in its kindergarten and p.m. kindergarten enrichment programs. Eighty-six children have been enrolled in Summer Camp, with some limited openings remaining.
The synagogue is using its current circumstances as a spur for rebooting itself in a way that will meet its challenges, provide meaningful support to its member families and ultimately make the synagogue better than ever.
In addition, new clergy will begin serving the congregation’s needs starting this fall and a greater emphasis is being placed on creating fun ways to socialize with fellow members under the Club Judea umbrella.
Rabbi David Levin will lead High Holidays and Shabbat services throughout the year and provide pastoral care to congregants. Rabbi Andy Sklarz will work with B’nai Mitzvah students and officiate at B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies.
Levin is a Reform rabbi ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He is the founder and managing director of Jewish Relationships Initiative, which focuses on creative and meaningful engagement with the unaffiliated using Jewish wisdom. He is a member of Rabbis Without Borders.
Sklarz is a Reform rabbi and therapist with years of experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. He has extensive experience with interfaith organizations and with the LGTBQ+ community,
Throughout the year, Club Judea will offer social experiences that will bring members of the Central Bucks Jewish community together to have fun and get to know each other better, as well as present opportunities to participate in community service projects. Upcoming events include a wine and cheese tasting, family barbecue night, Parents’ Night Out and Jewish cooking lessons.
To learn more about membership or religious school, visit templejudea.org or contact Len Saffren, Temple Judea president, at 215-630-6068 or lsaffren45@gmail.com.
To learn more about Small Wonders, contact Sheryl Milstein, director, at 215-348-5022 or sherylm@templejudea.org.
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