Page 4 • Wednesday , August 3 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette
Saying goodbye to Bellevue Ave .’ s Temple Beth El Synagogue
CLOSING , from Page 1 caretaker of the building . He had started working with Temple Beth El in the 1970s , and has been part of the community for about 40 years .
“ I ’ m going to miss this place , every time I come by , I look to see if there ’ s anything going on … check to see if the lights are on , or somebody left a light on that shouldn ’ t be on ,” Cappuccio said laughing .
After sharing memories and gifts with Cappuccio , the circle started to share memories of their own . Michaleski passed around elements for the group to hold , while participating in cantillation . She invited Rabbi Lauren Levy to share a few words .
“ A part-time student rabbi position opened up here , and I applied for it . Even though I was just a second-year student , they let me apply . I drove from Philly at that time … and they hired me . I was shocked , I had no idea what I was doing … and I was here for
three years ,” Levy said .
She explained to the group that she loved her time at Temple Beth El , and the people that were there for her during her time as a student rabbi helped her along her
THG / Sean Friel . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Rabbi Abby Michaleski gathers the members into a circle , so they can discuss and remember Temple Beth El through memories . path . Levy continued on to become the school rabbi at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville , N . J . for 30 years .
“ Yes , of course there ’ s sadness , there ’ s more sadness for you because it ’ s a closing that your rabbi and you are going through . For me , I just have so much gratitude for the experiences , so much gratitude that the congregation continued so successfully , and gratitude for your rabbi to keep this going . It ’ s just a unique thing that you don ’ t often get ,” Levy concluded .
Judith Feldman was also at the gathering , who had come with Levy . The two were friends , and had connections to the synagogue .
“ I raised my children here , and they still have a love for Judaism which I think is a wonderful thing . There ’ s been a lot of blood , sweat and tears put into this ,” Feldman said .
President Steve Schwartz also shared his personal ties to the temple , and how he found the right community for himself and his family .
“ There are a lot of great moments associated with this synagogue . I always go back to the first moments , which I ’ ve shared with some of you . My daughters who are now 27 and 24 , were single digits back then . My wife and I lived in Medford , and were looking for a synagogue . Some place where my kids could go to Hebrew school , and ultimately be bar mitzvahed . The first place we looked naturally was Cherry Hill , and we went to a
THG / Sean Friel . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Judith Feldman , Ellen Anzisi ( daughter of Adele Lenggenhager ) and Lauren Levy pose for a photo with a plaque that commemorates office members of Temple Beth El .
bunch of synagogues there but there was something about it that just didn ’ t feel right … we came down Route 54 , and we went down and passed it by twice . When we found it , we ended up being 20 minutes late … but the bottom line was , when we had finished and when we left , Karen and I looked at each other and went ‘ this is it ,’” Schwartz said .
Since then , Schwartz has taken on a role in the community as the President of the Congregation . He remembers many memories of a selfless community , and is grateful for his time at Temple Beth El .
Many more members of the community shared , including Claudia Tung , someone who did not know Judaism since birth . She recalled never having a role for her entire life , but was asked to take on the role of President at Temple Beth El in 2009-2010 after her years of dedication and helping teach the students . She discussed remembering a flood that had taken place during that time in Temple Beth El , and how the community , as well as the town as a whole , came together to restore and renovate the building .
“ I ’ m in love with this building … there ’ s just something about this building ,” Tung said .
While the Temple of Beth El may be closing in two weeks , its legacy will live on through the members of the community and their memories .