A Little Bit About Us

Temple Beth El, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, began serving the needs of the Jewish Community of Asbury Park in 1922. In 1974 the congregation moved to its present facility on Monmouth Road in Oakhurst. Today, Temple Beth El is the Religious, Educational, Cultural and Social Center for approximately 400 Jewish Families. Together, as a congregation, we experience the beauty of our Jewish Heritage and explore the meaning of contemporary Jewish Life. The members of our congregation, like members of an extended family, share in the observance of each other's simchas and support each other in times of need. We take great pride in the warmth and the caring nature of our synagogue community and invite you to make Temple Beth El your spiritual home.

     Temple Beth El is beautifully situated on 19 acres in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, New Jersey. Our building is designed to provide an uplifting atmosphere for Religious Services, Ritual Celebrations, Jewish Learning and other Temple programs. Our Main Sanctuary has permanent seating for 450 and is expanded during the High Holidays to accommodate 1000 worshipers. Our sanctuary is both majestic and inviting, and thus provides an ideal space in which our congregation can worship and feel the presence of God. The Aron HaKodesh is the home of 12 Sifrei Torah, each adorned with a hand crafted mantle and shining silver. There is also a Small Sanctuary, with its own Torah, in which we conduct our Daily Minyan and Junior Congregation Services.

     Our Social Hall has been recently renovated and is the perfect setting for the celebration of a simcha. The Social Hall is available for use to both members and non- members of the Temple for simchas with up to 500 guests.

     The Rabbi's Office, Cantor's Office, Administrative Offices and Religious School Classrooms are housed in a separate wing of our building with a separate entrance. In the foyer of this wing stands the arch that was part of the original Aron Hakodesh when Temple Beth El was in Asbury Park.

     The highlights of our Temple Beth El Program include:

~ Evening Minyan (Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 p.m.)
~ Shabbat, Festival & Holiday Services
~ Monthly Shabbat Evening Service for Young Families
~ Monthly Shabbat Morning Torah Study and Creative Service
~ Monthly Celebration of Birthdays & Anniversaries
~ Junior Congregation Services
~ Holiday Workshops and Celebrations
~ Adult Education
~ Shabbat & Festival Dinners
~ Community Passover Seder
~ Purim Carnival
~ Shabbat at the Beach
~ Shabbabecue
 

     Our Temple office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Fridays the office is open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sara Nathanson, our Office Secretary, is available to assist you.