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Westchester Reform Temple Celebrates 60-Year Anniversary

SCARSDALE, N.Y. -- The Westchester Reform Temple is gearing up to celebrate its anniversary with three weekends starting Friday, Feb. 28. 

The Westchester Reform Temple is gearing up to celebrate its anniversary with three weekends starting Friday, Feb. 28.

The Westchester Reform Temple is gearing up to celebrate its anniversary with three weekends starting Friday, Feb. 28.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The WRT 60th anniversary celebration runs from Feb. 28 to March 22 and includes a weekend of prayer from Friday, Feb. 28 to March 2, a family Purim and birthday celebration on March 16 and a festive gala on March 22. 

“Westchester Reform Temple has played an important role in Scarsdale and our surrounding communities for the last 60 years. In keeping with our longstanding tradition, all related services, events and programs are open to the public - celebrations that reflect our commitment to reach beyond,” said Temple President Helene Gray.

The festivities begin at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 with a Celebratory Community Service featuring remarks by WRT’s Rabbi Emeritus Richard Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the congregational arm of the Reform Jewish Movement in North America and reflections and reminiscences of Rabbi David Stern, Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Dallas, and Dr. Elsie Stern, Professor of Bible at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Music for the service includes an uplifting musical retrospective with liturgical favorites, a special musical composition by WRT’s beloved pianist and conductor, Pete Malinverni and an intergenerational chorale. 

Rabbi Stern and Dr. Elsie Stern will remain with the congregation for a weekend of learning as part of WRT’s annual Scholar-in-Residence program. The pair will lead a joint program entitled, “21st Century Judaism: The views from Dallas and Philadelphia" at 10:30 a.m. March 1 and Dr. Stern will conclude the weekend with a talk entitled, “Forbidden Fruit or Fallen Angels?: Ancient Jewish Perspectives on Free Will and Evil” at 9:30 a.m. March 2.  

This weekend is funded in part by Morgan and Marjorie Miller.

“It is wonderful to kick-off the 60th of learning. Worship and learning are two of the pillars at the core of our congregation,” said Senior Rabbi, Jonathan E. Blake. “We feel so very proud of what we have accomplished in our first 60 years and I look forward to building our Jewish future during the next 60 and beyond.”

The celebration will continue the morning of March 16 with a Family Purim Celebration and WRT’s 60th Birthday Party. 

For more information, residents can call the temple office at 914-723-7727, email to office@wrtemple.org or visit the temple website.

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