Temple Chaverim was established by a small group of friends 21 years ago when they met at members' homes. The congregation then moved to the United Methodist Church in Woodbury and then to the Mid Island Y JCC as they grew. The reform congregation settled into its new home on Washington Avenue in Plainview three years ago. Since then, its membership has been on the rise and there are now over 500 families and nearly 500 children in its progressive religious school.

This growth has spawned the construction of a multi-purpose simcha room, which will allow for a variety of needs. Ground breaking took place in December 2002 and construction started immediately after. The construction is taking place now and is expected to be completed in March.

"A synagogue's mission is to be a house of worship, study, and communal meeting," said Rabbi Jonathan L. Hecht. "This new space will give us the opportunity to do all three. It will be a small chapel, a multimedia room for our religious school, and a place to celebrate kiddush. How wonderful that just three years after our building was completed, and in spite of the economic difficulties we all are facing since September 11, that we are able to continue to build Temple Chaverim."

The new room is expected to be used for separate junior congregation services, and as a lecture/seminar hall for adult education, a cocktail room for catering operations, a kiddush/oneg room for use after services, a space for youth groups to meet, additional space for the religious school, plus space for the adult and youth choirs to meet and practice.

"Due to the rapid growth of our congregation and the prospects for our future, the additional space is warranted and inevitable" said David Heymann, a congregant and chairperson of the temple's capital campaign.

For more information about Temple Chaverim activities call 367-6100.