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Temple Shaaray Tefila (TST), the premier Reform congregation located in Bedford Corners, is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of spiritual leadership, community engagement, and Jewish life in Northern Westchester. 

The Beginning 

In 1975, a group of friends from Bedford Corners met for a dinner that would turn out to be life changing for the TST community. It led to the creation of a beautiful Jewish community of more than 500 member families. Looking back, it seems as if it were bashert, Yiddish for “meant to be.” Several of the couples had children reaching religious-school age and couldn’t decide which synagogue to join as there wasn’t one in Bedford Corners. At some point, someone said the magic words, “Why don’t we see if there is interest in starting a synagogue here?” 

On January 1, 1976, they placed an ad in the Pennysaver announcing a meeting to discuss starting a new synagogue. About 25 families decided to join and The Unitarian Fellowship in Bedford offered its facility for Friday nights. Through the URJ, they learned of a student Rabbi from California interested in coming to New York. Rabbi David Greenberg was hired and began holding services every other Friday night. 

A Beautiful Setting 

Several years later, an acquaintance of Rabbi Greenberg told him about an outstanding property—a former estate on nine acres that would later become the campus of Temple Shaaray Tefila of Westchester. Temple members held the Consecration service for their new synagogue on May 7, 1982 and with their new home in place, membership continued to grow. 

Originally called Shallow Brook Farm, the campus was the estate of J.C. Baldwin, Jr., Esq. It was designed by architect Benjamin Wistar Morris, who won the Gold Medal at the 1918 exhibition of the Architectural League. The original house is now the main building and the home’s Music Room serves as the sanctuary. Combined with a 2000-era Education Building, a state-of-the-art playground, and a community garden, TST offers a stunning historic setting ideally suited to modern lives.

Since its founding in 1975, Temple Shaaray Tefila has grown into a cornerstone of the Bedford and Northern Westchester communities — a place of worship, learning, inclusion, and action. The Temple will commemorate this milestone with a series of celebratory events, including a “Proclamation Day” with speeches from local politicians, followed by a dinner and 50th Anniversary Shabbat, honoring Founding Rabbi/Rabbi Emeritus David Greenberg, who has led the congregation for nearly its entire history. 

“Fifty years is more than a measure of time — it’s a testament to the enduring values, meaningful relationships, and vibrant spirit that have shaped our community,” said Rabbi Emeritus Greenberg. “It has been a profound honor to be part of this remarkable journey. I look forward to seeing Temple Shaaray Tefila continue to grow and thrive for the next fifty years and beyond.” 

A Legacy of Service and Spirituality 

Temple Shaaray Tefila’s impact extends far beyond its sanctuary walls. Over the past 50 years, the Temple has: 

• Supported local and global social justice initiatives 

• Fostered deep interfaith relationships 

• Built robust education programs for all ages 

• Built a top, on-site Early Childhood Center for children ages two through four 

• Celebrated countless lifecycle events—B’Nai Mitzvah, weddings, baby naming

• Created an inclusive and welcoming spiritual home for hundreds of families 

“This milestone is a celebration of our past and a commitment to our future,” said Temple President Bill Glenn. “As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we remain devoted to our mission of enriching lives through Jewish tradition, community, “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world) and building our Kehila Kedosa.”

Committed to Giving 

From its beginning, Temple Shaaray Tefilia has supported a wide range of organizations and people in need, both near and far. Among its many efforts: 

Community involvement: 

• During the High Holidays, the congregation launches its Annual Food Drive, gathering critical supplies for the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry and the Community Center of Northern Westchester (CCNW). 

• The giving spirit continues with the Christmas Dinner Program. Congregants deliver full meals, groceries, and gift cards to families in need in Westchester. 

• Through a key annual event–Thanksgiving’s Cooking for a Cause–our congregants prepare and distribute holiday dinners for more than 4,000 people in Westchester, the Bronx, and Connecticut. 

• Throughout the year, congregants continue to combat food insecurity by distributing kosher meals to Westchester seniors and providing food aid to Feeding Westchester, Neighbors Link, and St. Bartholomew’s Soup Kitchen in White Plains. And the giving also starts right on Temple Shaaray Tefila grounds: The Community Garden donates fresh vegetables to local food pantries. 

• Every year, the Annual Blood Drive is held. Last year, TST donated 72 pints of blood, helping 200 potential recipients. 

• Our youth organize the Teens Midnight Run, personally delivering food, clothing, and toiletries to New York City’s homeless. 

• Local families are supported through Erase the Need and A Home school supplies drives. 

• In addition, Temple Shaaray Tefila provides financial support to vital organizations like My Sister’s Place, Hope’s Door, and Friends of Karen, and works with 914Cares/CCNW to distribute essential items like diapers and “Bags of Love.” 

• Our reach extends globally. In partnership with Bedford Presbyterian Church, we participate in Bridges to Community, offering cross-cultural humanitarian experience in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. 

Supporting Israel: 

• Through our Yellow Ribbons Fundraiser, each ribbon tied in Temple Shaaray Tefilia’s ceramic Kalayniot memorial garden–created by temple members of all ages–helps raise funds for those displaced by war in Israel. 

• Through our Israel Emergency Action Fund, congregants donate to support Israeli individuals and families facing immense hardship and loss due to October 7th and ongoing attacks on Israel.

To learn more about the work of Temple Shaaray Tefilia’s Social Action team, visit https://www.shaaraytefila.org/social-action/. 

Join the Celebration 

Community members, alumni, family and friends are invited to share in this meaningful milestone. Some marquee events around the 50th include: the dinner and shabbat honoring Rabbi Emeritus David Greenberg, a kick-off party with “The Day Trippers,” a Beatles cover band, a Shabbat honoring past Presidents, a retrospective exhibit during the “Night of Light” Chanukah celebration, and a culmination Jew-Bilee fundraiser in June. 

The TST journey to becoming one of the largest Reform congregations in Northern Westchester is one of connection, resilience, and shared values. With a truly inclusive community, dynamic programming for all ages, and inspiring leadership, TST is committed to expanding their impact for the next 50 years and beyond.