About CRJ - History

In the late 1920's a reform congregation was formed in Orlando with neither Rabbi nor building. This congregation functioned until 1940 when, in the interests of Jewish unity, it disbanded and merged with the only other congregation in town. In 1948, a liberal Jewish Fellowship was organized holding High Holy Day services in the vestry room of the conservative synagogue. Visiting Rabbis conducted High Holy Day services and from time to time served as needed for life cycle events. These Rabbis included Israel Kaplan, Morris Lazeron, and Morris Skop.

In 1950 the name, Congregation of Liberal Judaism (CLJ), was selected and plans were formulated for the first building at Ferncreek and Robinson. CLJ joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregation in 1950, and officially affiliated with the Reform movement. Membership consisted of 44 families and dues started at $65/year. The 1951 High Holy Day services were held in the new building.

In 1953 Rabbi David Susskind was hired as the congregation's first rabbi and the first Confirmation was held in the new building with two students. The first Bar Mitzvah and the first wedding were held in the Temple in 1953. In 1956 Rabbi Susskind left for St. Petersburg and Rabbi Henry Leon Shwartz become Rabbi. By May 1958 membership had grown to 107 families.

In 1962 Rabbi Shwartz resigned and Rabbi Benno Wallach took over the pulpit. By 1963 membership had grown to 165 families and in 1964 land was acquired for the site of the present building. The new building was completed in 1970 and Rabbi Larry Halpern became the new Rabbi. Rabbi Andrew Hillman came in 1974 as CLJ's Religious School Administrator and by the mid 1970's membership had grown to 320 families.

A formal sanctuary was completed in 1982 and additional classrooms plus a media center were added in 1986. At the time, Cantor Harold Dworkin served as the congregation's Cantor, and the media center which he envisioned and helped to create became what is now the Harold Dworkin Learning Resource Center (LRC). Rabbi Hillman left in 1982 to head his own congregation and Rabbi Marla Feldman arrived to serve as CLJ's assistant rabbi from 1987 to 1990.

In the early 1990's Riselle Bain was hired as the congregation's Cantorial Soloist and remained with us until June 1997. During the years of 1995 and 1996 Rabbi Michael Schadick served as the congregation's Assistant Rabbi and was the acting Rabbi while Rabbi Halpern took his sabbatical in 1996. During these years the Religious school saw two administrators, one Rabbi Edward Kiner and the other Sherila Carr.

After 25 years, Rabbi Halpern tendered his resignation effective June 30, 1996 and at that time, Rabbi Michael Schadick's tenure as assistant rabbi also ended. Rabbi Selig Salkowitz became the interim Rabbi at CLJ and a search was instituted for a permanent senior rabbi. In June 1997, Rabbi Steven Engel became the congregation's fifth senior rabbi. At that time, CLJ also hired Beth Schafer as the Cantorial Soloist and Cathy Swerdlow as the Religious School Administrator. In 1998, the Religious School Educator's position was divided into a job share; Cathy Swerdlow remained as Administrator and Nammie Ichilov was hired as the Curriculum/Staff Director. In the year 2000, the congregation grew to approximately 600 families and increased staff by adding a full time Director of Education and an Interim Administrator. By 2002, CRJ added a Cantorial Intern, a Program Director, and in 2003, CRJ hired an Executive Director.

In 2005, the Congregation of Liberal Judaism changed its name to the Congregation of Reform Judaism to further clarify its mission and reflect its focus on Reform Judaism. Today the congregation with over 700 families and an ever expanding campus and programming opportunities is one of the fastest growing, dynamic, and vibrant centers for Jewish life in Central Florida.

Mission
The mission of the Congregation of Reform Judaism is to nurture and encourage our congregants in their quest to become educated, knowledgeable, proud and involved Jews who worship God in accordance with the Jewish faith. To fulfill its mission, CRJ has four goals:

1. To foster the vibrancy of Reform Judaism through Torah (life long Jewish education), avodah (worship of God through prayer and observance) and gemilut chasadim (the pursuit of justice, peace and deeds of loving-kindness).

2. To perpetuate our Jewish heritage by being supportive of the state of Israel and the Jewish people, wherever they live.

3. To provide programs and activities that embrace Jewish culture and feeling of community for both the individual and family from birth through adulthood.

4. To seek a close working relationship with the entire Jewish community as well as those of all faiths who comprise the greater Orlando community in order to achieve the religious ideals of our Jewish heritage.

Mission Statement - updated 2007
The mission of the Congregation of Reform Judaism is to offer a synagogue culture that is inviting and respectful, with inspiring worship services and programs that promote lifelong Jewish learning, within a caring, innovative and vibrant congregation.