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By Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
After a process that lasted over four years, the Temple Beth Shalom community has moved into its new home. The space, dedicated in a ceremony on Saturday evening, is a beautiful result of careful planning, patience and generosity.
But the project is not yet over.
"We are at long last ready for the most important and exciting part of this project," read the introduction of the dedication program, "filling these sacred spaces with the souls of our congregation, thereby making this new house into our new home."
On the evening of the temple's dedication, it seemed as though everyone was playing his or her part in fulfilling the housewarming mission.
Congregants took self-guided tours of the building, smiling proudly as they walked through the halls of their new spiritual home. Songs were sung. Rabbi Jay Perlman and Rabbi Todd Markley passed a mezuzah - a piece of parchment inscribed with a scriptural verse and housed in a decorative casing - around the community before hanging it at the entrance.
It is, in fact, one of many mezuzot (that's the plural of mezuzah) in the building. There are two on each doorpost, one high and one low. They are so arranged so that both children and adults may touch them as they pass through each doorway. For such a welcoming spiritual community, it seems a particularly appropriate detail.
"Each time we step into our new home, we are awed by the myriad ways in which this sacred space reflects the values and commitments of our congregation," concluded the dedication program's introduction. "We are so excited to share these blessings with you."
For more information about Temple Beth Shalom, located on 670 Highland Avenue, visit www.tbsneedham.org.
