Washington Twp. congregation looks forward to new, larger home

The Pitman Church of Christ on E. Holly Rd., in Washington Township, has been purchased by Cong. B'nai Tikvah as its new home. Cong. B'nai Tikvah, now on Fishpond Rd., in Washington Township, will soon have a new and larger home. "We've bought the Pitman Church of Christ on E. Holly Ave. in Washington Township," announced Dr. Jamie Green, president of the egalitarian, unaffiliated synagogue. An official moving date will be postponed until the present occupants complete construction of their new building, according to Green, but that will not stop the synagogue from using its new building.

B'nai Tikvah plans a May 15 Shabbat service at the church, when it will host Cong. Beth Israel of Woodbury, and also anticipates having some high holiday services at its new facility.

"The church people are nice about sharing space," Green said.

Founded 36 years ago by a handful of families, B'nai Tikvah met for a time in a Lutheran Church, a restaurant, and several other places before settling into its Fishpond Rd. synagogue in 1978. In 1986, an addition marked the growth of the growth of the congregation. Now numbering 130 families, B'nai Tikvah has "even outgrown the addition," according to Green. "Our school is bursting at the seams and our kitchen and library are inadequate."

A planned expansion on Fishpond Rd., fell through when township requirements and discovery of a high water table made it too expensive.

The Holly Ave. facility is in move-in-condition, according to Green, except that there are issues of accessibility. "It even comes with a separate parsonage," Green said.

No more "standing room only" during the high holidays, according to B'nai Tikvah's president. And congregants can look forward to a large kitchen, rabbis studies, eight classrooms, a principals office and a spacious multi-purpose room. .