once there were three; now there are none

There were three synagogues in Brockton Massachusetts when I was growing up: Agudas Achim, the orthodox temple, Beth Emunah, the conservative one, and Israel, the reformed.  

Most of my friends were members of either Temple Israel or Beth Emunah. That's where my family belonged.  In fact, my parents were among its first members when their doors opened in 1952 on Cottage Street. Much of my social life centered on the Jewish community. 

I attended Hebrew School two days a week plus Sunday morning. It was there I became good friends with both Vivien and Amy. All the students were known by their Hebrew names. I was Temmi, a name I think my parents made up to reflect their second choice secular name for me, Tammy — hardly an improvement over Linda.  Outside of Hebrew School, my friends and I would often refer to our classmates by their Hebrew names. Schlomo Slomka, for example, was a much better descriptor than just plain Steven. And the handsome David Slutsky sounded more exotic as Daveed.

The rabbi at Temple Israel was the beloved Rabbi Erhmann. His son David and I still keep in touch. Being less strict than Beth Emunah, Temple Israel always seemed the more fun temple. Plus, there were fewer Hebrew School requirements, arguably making it the better place for a pre-teen.

My friends and I could regularly be found at temple. We always attended the Jewish holiday services, if for no other reason than to be seen in our new fall clothes. There were temple dances, though none come to mind as memorable. And Bar and Bat Mitvahs filled our calendars around the time we became teens.

And while I am not religious — I  don't even belong to a synagogue now — strong Jewish roots were established at Temple Beth Emunah, under the watchful eyes of Rabbi Liberman and Cantor Gluck.

This week, Temple Beth Emunah announced it's leaving town. It had been the only Jewish congregation still standing in a city that once supported three. My memories, looking back, are all positive. 

Vivien (bottom row left), me (bottom row second from left), Amy (top row second in from left),
and Bonnie Dumanis (second in from right, bottom row).

Though at the time, it doesn't look like Vivien, Amy or I were all too happy attending Hebrew School. But at least Bonnie Dumanis  (the DA of San Diego since 2003) seems to have been having a good time.