In The Beginning
In April of 1996, eight young Cherry Hill families decided to create a new shul. Fueled by the desire to improve their Jewish spiritual life, they launched forward in pursuit of a common vision: a warm, inclusive environment focused on growth in Torah, learning and the practice of mitzvot, and an emphasis on community involvement. It would welcome any Jew who shared their goals. irrespective of background or level of observance, with the hope that all would be inspired to grow Jewishly and to support one another along the journey.
With no permanent place to meet and no Rabbi to lead them, these pioneers created Beit Tefilah, spending the first year davening in members’ homes. It was a hands-on effort; members led the davening and read the Torah, cooked and served Kiddush, and every two or three months packed up the siddurim, chumashim, Sefer Torah, Aron Kodesh, table and chairs and moved to their next destination. While the shul eventually found a permanent home, this model of member-led activity continues to this day.
Recognizing the need for leadership, the congregation hired Rabbi Yisrael Teichman as its Rabbi and teacher. Raised in Los Angeles with smicha from Rav Reuven Feinstein, shlit”a, Rabbi Teichman was the perfect catalyst for the members’ continued growth. They pooled their resources and purchased a small former farmhouse on a two-acre plot on Cooper Landing Road, and with some sweat equity, turned it into a shul. Parents and children worked to knock down walls, paint and make repairs - an activity revisited many times over the years as the congregation continued to grow.
In 1998, Beit Tefilah joined the National Council of Young Israel and became the Young Israel of Cherry Hill. After a seven year tenure, Rabbi Teichman moved to the New York area and Rabbi Mordechai Rhine led the shul for the next ten years. Upon his departure, the congregation invited Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld to take the helm of the shul. Under his guidance, dynamism, and tireless work alongside his wife, Sarah, Young Israel has enjoyed explosive growth.