TEMPLE BETH SHALOM

A Reform congregation affiliated with

The Union for Reform Judaism

489 Lowell Street Peabody, MA 01960

(978) 535-2100 Fax: (978) 536-3115

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In the summer of 1959 a small group of people led by Edward Hoffman met a t various homes in Peabody for the purpose of forming a new temple in Peabody.

Every aspect of temple life was discussed and these sessions. This led to the formation of the temporary Executive Committee and a temporary Steering committee.

Finally it was decided t go public and the community was invited to attend an open meeting on September 23, 1959 in the auditorium of the North Shore Shopping Center. Approximately 50 people attended.

The first congregational meeting of Temple Beth Shalom was held on October 21, 1959 at Cy Tenny Hall, Peabody. Services in the fall of 1959 and the spring of 1960 were conducted by guest Rabbi’s. By the fall of 1960 we had sixty-seven members and it was decided to hire a full time rabbi.

The congregation later rented an a hall on Tremont Street form St. Vasillos Church, using it as both as a sanctuary and religious School.

By the mid 1960’s the congregation was large enough to build its own building. Pledges were given and fundraising began and the building committees sprung up.

In 1965 Temple Beth Shalom’s modern synagogue on Lowell Street designed and paid for by the congregation was dedicated.

FOUNDERS

Mr. And Mrs. Norman E. Adler

Mr. and Mrs. Selwyn Bloom

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney D. Bensusan

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Gelpey

Mr. and Mrs. Cy Glassman

Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Hoffman

Mr. and Mrs. Irving G. Horovitz

Mr. and Mrs. Aaron D. Mansbach

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Shohet