Community Growth
Since Rabbi Bienenfeld took on leadership of our shul in 2014, attendance and membership have grown exponentially. Shabbos morning is often standing room only, while children’s groups are limited as we lack sufficient space. For Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we hold two services, one in the shul and one at the Kollel, in order to accommodate everyone. Our annual Purim seudah long ago outgrew our space, and each year we move to larger and larger venues.
Cherry Hill is no longer a “hidden gem”; we are now known as an up-and-coming Jewish community. The growth of Politz Day School and Foxman Torah Institute, affordable housing, access to multiple regions of employment, and close proximity to other large Jewish communities have attracted many new families - many of whom are gravitating to Young Israel for its warmth, Torah growth environment, family atmosphere and dynamic leadership. We have come to a crossroad where additional space is not a “Nice-to-Have,” but a “Must-Have”.
Fiscal Responsibility
One of Young Israel’s founding principles was to always be financially responsible and to manage the shul’s money with the same care that we manage our own. The shul’s budget reflects this philosophy. We maintain the shul building as a b’kavod place to daven to Hashem, while keeping in mind that the building is not the end in itself. What happens within its walls is of the utmost importance.
To reflect that priority, our goal is to build a larger space where our growing congregation can daven and learn together. The existing space will be repurposed for classrooms and an expanded kitchen. The new structure will reflect our core values: Avodas Hashem, Torah learning, instilling in our children a love for our way of life, having fun together and continuing to grow our shul family and community.