Do you remember what happened 50 years ago? It was 1951. Humphrey Bogart received the Best Actor Oscar for The African Queen and Marlon Brando starred in A Streetcar Named Desire. The New York Yankees won the World Series, and Joe DiMaggio retired from baseball. The term "rock and roll" was coined, and the first direct distance dialed phone call was placed. The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution limited the presidential term to two, and studies showed that fluoridated water reduced tooth decay. J. D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye was published. A postage stamp cost three cents, gas was 20 cents a gallon, and the average home price was $16,000, but the average household income was $3,515 per year. In Meridian, Mississippi, Temple Beth Israel became the first Jewish congregation to allow women to perform the functions of a rabbi, and in Roslyn, New York, a group of 30 families got together and invited others to attend a Charter Convocation for the founding of a Liberal Conservative Jewish Center.

Little did these people, or the 40 odd families that joined them, know that they were about to begin a congregation that, over the next 50 years, would become one of the most prestigious congregations in the United States. The congregation held its first services on Friday, Aug. 3, l951. Although their first High Holiday Services were held in the Roslyn Theater, 14 acres of land on a hill overlooking Roslyn Road had already been purchased for the purpose of building a new synagogue.

As Temple Beth Sholom embarks on its Fiftieth Anniversary year, it continues to be a thriving congregation. From its outstanding nursery school, to its award winning religious school and fine Hebrew high school, new members are constantly joining. Daily activities keep the synagogue in constant use, and the Rabbinic staff constantly busy. Not only has the Saturday morning Shabbat service become a welcoming home to a large group of "regulars" and even more guests, the weekday activities include Adult Education classes, book reviews, discussion groups, monthly seniors programs, and even Tai Chi classes.

Although members can certainly be kept busy with the endless stream of everyday events, the 2001 Anniversary Calendar is certain to provide a wide array of additional happenings. The first major event of the year will be held on Monday evening, Feb. 12, when Temple Beth Sholom's Rabbi Alan Lucas will moderate a Dialogue of Conservative Rabbis. On Saturday evening, March 10, the synagogue will be transformed into the city of Shushan, for a Purim Ball. The Hebrew School classes will each study a synagogue from around the world, and their year will culminate with a special program and presentation on Sunday, June 3. Cantor Ofer Barnoy will perform in a special celebration concert on Sunday, June 10. In early fall, the activities will culminate with a fiftieth anniversary dinner.

The 2001 year promises to be a special one for Temple Beth Sholom. To exist as a congregation for 50 years is not that unusual, but to continue to be as exciting and vibrant as when it first began is. For those who have been members since 1951, please come and be our honored guests. For those who have joined throughout our 50 year existence, come to remind yourselves why you chose Beth Sholom. For those of you who are not members, please come join us as well, and perhaps you will add yourselves to the Temple's membership for its next 50 years. Surely you will be glad you came to join in the celebration.