Synagogue’s history shines through almost a century
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

PHOTOSBY SCOTT PILLING staff The Perrineville Jewish Center, Millstone Township, has serviced area residents since 1910. Above, a view of the structure’s outside, which has not significantly changed since its construction. Inside, the bema awaits Friday night services, which children are allowed to participate in. A view of the Torah as it would be seen by the rabbi, who has implemented many changes in the synagogue over the years.

Its members want to share what they call the best-kept Jewish secret.Since 1910, people from all over Monmouth County and places as far away as New York have traveled to the Perrineville Jewish Center to share in Jewish traditions. However, membership has started to decline, and Wendy Heifetz, the president of the synagogue, said it may be because the congregation hasn’t gone public with all the changes it has made over the years.

Located in rural Millstone on Perrineville Road, the center was first known as the Perrineville Jewish Farmers Association.

“The original founders were mostly Holocaust survivors who came to Millstone and became egg farmers,” said Heifetz, of Long Island, N.Y. “In fact, some of our members are still farmers.”

The synagogue is small, as is the congregation, according to Heifetz.

“We are approximately 120 families and [are] looking to grow,” she said. “Each year, we seem to lose a few more members.”

Heifetz said the synagogue wants to let people in the community know that it’s no longer an Orthodox synagogue.

Officially, the congregation is traditional, but it leans toward conservative, Heifetz said. However, throughout the past few years, according to Heifetz, Rabbi Sheldon Schevelowitz has “welcomed change.”

“We are not an Orthodox synagogue as many who live in this area tend to believe,” Heifetz said. “It is rare for a rabbi to welcome change, but he realized early on that if the synagogue was to continue to flourish in this area, the congregation had to be open [to] everyone.”

About 10 years ago, Heifetz said the rabbi incorporated mixed seating into the synagogue, whereas women and men used to have to sit separately. In its continuing transition from Orthodox to traditional, Heifetz said, changes in the congregation have also included the allowance of casual dress; children on the bema helping the rabbi run services; bat mitzvahs for girls along with the traditional bar mitzvahs for boys; and the offering of kabala, or Jewish mysticism classes.

“We also want people to know that we welcome mixed couples, meaning that one spouse is Jewish and the other is of another faith,” Heifetz said. “Also, our Friday night services are informal, and people can come casually dressed.”

Among one of the most important changes, according to Heifetz, is the ability for women to participate in the congregation as often as men.

“I’m the first woman president of the synagogue,” Heifetz said.

Some things that have not changed, according to Heifetz, are the observance of “kashruth” in the synagogue’s kitchen, or following Jewish dietary laws by keeping kosher; the requirement for men to wear a head covering, or “yarmulke,” in the sanctuary; and the prohibition of electronic devices on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.

Perrineville Jewish Center also offers a full-service Hebrew school, which includes bar and bat mitzvah lessons given by the rabbi, Heifetz said.

“It’s important to us that each child has his or her own bar or bat mitzvah weekend,” Heifetz said, “and that the rabbi gives each child individual attention during their special day.”

The congregation observes holidays including Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah and Purim, Heifetz said.

“Purim is everyone’s favorite,” said Susan Kapit, the synagogue’s vice president of public information. “Over 40 children participated in this year’s celebration. At the carnival, there were games of chance and plenty of good food.”

At the center, Kapit said many members are involved with the Men’s Club and the Sisterhood, along with various committees and fund-raising projects.

“This is a warm, welcoming, spiritual and family-oriented synagogue,” Kapit said. “We welcome everyone to come in and share in the spiritual feeling.”

The Perrinevillle Jewish Center will hold an open house throughout the first week of September.

Heifetz said she hopes the congregation can continue to build upon its existing membership well into the future.

“We will celebrate our 100th anniversary in five years,” Heifetz said. “We hope to make that a joyous celebration.”

For more information about the Jewish center, call Lori Feibus, vice president of synagogue membership, at (609) 259-6479.