Congregation of Reform Judaism celebrates 75 years

The oldest and largest Reform congregation in Central Florida, Congregation of Reform Judaism will celebrate “Decades & Diamonds,” its 75th anniversary, on April 5, at 7 p.m.

The congregation hasn’t always been known as the Congregation of Reform Judaism, in the fall of 1948, it was named Liberal Jewish Fellowship and was formed and headed by Dr. Clarence and Bobbie Bernstein and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Morse. The Holy Day Services were held in the vestry room at Congregation Ohev Shalom. Rabbi Emeritus Israel Kaplan of Jacksonville came once a month to lead a service.

In February 1950, Liberal Jewish Fellowship changed its name to the Congregation of Liberal Judaism. Dr. Bernstein was the first president and served until 1953. There were 44 members and dues were $65 per family. Not having a building as yet, the small congregation met in members’ homes.

In 1951, they settled into their first building at Ferncreek and Robinson. In 1953, Rabbi David Suskind was hired as the first rabbi and remained until 1956. In 1958 there were 107 member families at the congregation, and in 1963 they purchased their own section of the Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha, Florida.

In 1971 CLJ moved into its second home (and still is home) on Malone Drive.

Rabbis who have served since Rabbi Susskind include Rabbis Henry Schwartz; Benno Wallach; Larry J. Halper, who led the congregation for 25 years; Selig Salkowitz; Steven Engel; and currently, Rabbi Rachael Jackson.

In 2005, while Engel was rabbi, the Congregation of Liberal Judaism changed its name to the Congregation of Reform Judaism. The move was made to further clarify the temple’s mission and reflect its focus on Reform Judaism. At the time, CRJ’s membership peaked with more than 700 families.