The 1950s were an awesome period for the Jewish communities on the south east shores of Nassau County. There was a great influx of Jewish folk from Brooklyn, The Bronx and other areas of New York City. Most of the newcomers came from orthodox and conservative backgrounds. Many of them discovered that they preferred something different….and established Reform congregations.

In Wantagh and Massapequa, The Suburban Temple and The Massapequa Jewish Center (The Name was changed to Temple Judea in 1970) were created.  Their histories are remarkably alike….

Both temples experienced great growth in the early years, Judea had several part-time rabbis and Suburban Temple had a part time Rabbi, Rabbi Krasnow, for the first two years, then in the summer of 1954 Rabbi David Hachen became the first full time Rabbi of Suburban, followed in 1957 by Rabbi Cohen for  five years and then Rabbi Raab in 1962 and Rabbi Harold Krantzler (in 1958) and Rabbi Robert Raab (in 1962) were installed as the religious leaders of Judea and Suburban, respectively. Both temples started building their facilities with great caution, but as the population grew, the membership grew and the buildings increased in size. Both temples held High Holy Day Services in tents during their construction periods. Both temples had policies which discouraged the wearing of a talit or a yarmulke in the Sanctuary. Education and youth have always been a primary concern of both temples. The Religious Schools and Youth Groups were always a priority and were among the best on Long Island.

There was always something for everyone who joined the temples….whether for religious purposes or social reasons.

Brotherhood and Sisterhood were extremely active in fund raising and created exciting, exhilarating and fun filled events. Over the years, both temples put on some highly professional and extremely successful plays.  “The King and I”, “Guys and Dolls”,  “Pajama Game”,  “Carousel” and “A Majority of One” and “Music Man” are among the most memorable presentations.

During the Seven Day War, The Yom Kippur War, special services were called. A huge turnout from the entire community resulted in a voluntary outpouring of funds to help support Israel. Similar reactions occurred when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, when Martin Luther King died and when the Israeli athletes were massacred at the Olympics. Within hours, the temples were filled to a point of bursting.

Music has always been a special delight at both temples. Judea had Cantor Robert Applestone from 1959 to1994. His rich voiced charmed the congregation and was supported regularly by the Judea Adult Choir.  Cantor Walter Lewis served Suburban for 18 years. He instituted the Youth Choir as well as the Adult Choir.

In recent years it became obvious that the Jewish population was decreasing. With seven synagogues in the area, it became more and more difficult to maintain a successful operation. The leadership of The Suburban Temple and Temple Judea met, “hit it off”, and came to realize that it was in the best interest of the Jewish community to combine the two temples and create a stronger Jewish presence.

And so a new temple was formed….TEMPLE B’NAI TORAH…..a blending of the best of both worlds…Temple Judea and The Suburban Temple.

Sh’hechi auynu, v’ki amonu, vihigiauynu, laz mon hazeh!