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June 21, 1962 Founder’s Meeting
37 families agree to constitute a new Reform congregation. Most of the signers had been members of Temple Beth El in Alexandria; others were unaffiliated families looking for a congregation in or near Falls Church. More families will join throughout the summer. These, and the many families that will join before the Temple has its […] -
July 6, 1962 First Shabbat Service
First Shabbat service is held in Herman Fink’s office building, led by Larry Seiff with music provided by Rose Thorman accompanied by Adele Zacharias. -
July 18, 1962 Selecting the Name: Rodef Shalom
After extended debate, the name Rodef Shalom is selected. Originally not a finalist, it was inserted before the list of names was presented for a vote because the poster had room at the bottom. Its origin is in the Talmud, one of the teachings of the great Hillel, “be of the disciples of Aaron, one […] -
July 31, 1962 First Bar Mitzvah, Torah donated
Stephen Abramson becomes the first Bar Mitzvah on a Friday night as no Saturday services were held. David and Patsy Kruger offer the gift of a Torah. A second Torah is donated by Philip and Beatrice Rudin, a relic from an Orthodox Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Our original Ark is designed by Nan Rudin and built […] -
August 1, 1962 Religious School started
Religious School is organized by Ida and Joseph Auerbach in 3 months on a preliminary budget of $150. Ultimately, 5 classrooms are rented at Thomas Jefferson Elementary for 106 religious school students. Cost for each room is $4.10 per week. Before the congregation has its own building, classes will also be held at Lemon Road […] -
September 1, 1962 First High Holy Days Services
An estimated 270 seats are needed for the first High Holy Day services at Arlington Unitarian Church. -
November 1, 1962 Committee to organize Youth Activities
A Committee is formed to organize youth activities. In 1966, Rodef Shalom Youth will begin its active participation with the National Federation of Temple Youth and the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Temple Youth. It will continue to be supported by volunteer adult advisors until a part-time staff member is hired in 1986. -
November 30, 1962 Membership Dues set
Membership dues during this first year are set at $120 per year for a family; single adults and newly-married couples would pay $80 a year and “junior members” $40. -
December 5, 1962 TRS Joins UAHC
Temple Rodef Shalom joins the Union for American Hebrew Congregations, later the Union for Reform Judaism. Temple office is rented in Ravensworth Towers. A typewriter is rented for $8 per month. An organ is purchased and dedicated in grateful appreciation to Herman and Ruth Fink for regular use of space in the Fink Professional Building -
May 1, 1963 Land Purchase, WoTRS started
Search committee recommends purchase of 7-acre lot on Westmoreland for $40,000. Following heated debate, the recommendation is withdrawn. 10 Temple members decide to purchase the land themselves to hold until the congregation is ready to commit itself the following year. Temple Women of Rodef Shalom is formed, establishing committees for flowers, Oneg Shabbat, hospitality, Shabbat […] -
July 1, 1963 Rabbi Berkowits Installed
Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits begins his long service to the Temple as its first Rabbi. His first official function is the Brit Milah of David Levin. -
September 1, 1963 Second High Holy Days Services
High Holy Day services are celebrated at First Christian Church of Falls Church due to increased attendance. -
December 15, 1963 First Wedding
Eleanor Auerbach marries Richard Linde in congregation’s first wedding. First fiscal year is completed: Expenses total $24,300. Religious School enrollment reaches 111. -
June 1, 1965 Land dedication
Ceremony dedicating the land is attended by Rabbi Berkowits, the congregation, Fairfax County representatives and a large black snake that made its way through the crowd. -
December 1, 1966 Building Planning, Men’s Group Active
Temple membership surpasses 150 families. Planning begins on the future Temple building which will be designed to accommodate a congregation of 400-500 families. When the building is completed in 1970, there are 240 families. Along with 16 churches and synagogues, the Temple begins continuing support of a day care center at Chesterbrook Presbyterian Church for […] -
November 16, 1969 Cornerstone Laid
Cornerstone of original Temple building is laid. The Temple hosts the first Northern Virginia Israel Independence Day celebration. -
September 1, 1970 Building Completed-High Holy Day Services at TRS
Original building is completed in time to hold High Holy Day services in the congregation’s new home. The estimated cost was $350,000; the final cost is $600,000. Soon after, the Temple is formally consecrated over three days, October 23-25. It is dedicated as a House of Prayer, as a House of Learning, and to the […] -
January 1, 1971 Fair Share Membership Dues Method Approved
Congregation approves a new approach to membership, the Fair Share/Self-Assessment Dues Plan, by which member families set their own dues based on their ability to contribute so that the Temple remains open to all. -
September 1, 1971 Judy Seiff Starts Nursery School
Judy Seiff, a child development teacher in the Arlington County school system, agrees to develop a nursery school program. The school opens in September with 1 staff member and 15 students. -
October 25, 1971 Violence at TRS – Rifle and Shotgun Blasts
One year after its dedication, 19 rifle shots shatter the front windows of the building. Thirty days later on Thanksgiving, more shotgun blasts will damage the remaining window, light fixtures and pillars. Churches and other civic groups will pledge support and the Catholic University Players will give a benefit performance to help raise money to […] -
July 1, 1973 TRS Library Dedicated, First Woman President
Temple Rodef Shalom dedicates its library. Ruth Checknoff is elected the first woman President of Temple Rodef Shalom. Religious School enrollment exceeds 400 students. Camp Rodef Shalom is organized under the supervision of Joanne Fields. Two years later in 1978, Flo Frey will begin as Camp Director and continue until 1986. The first 6 Havurot […] -
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July 1, 1985 Judy Seiff Named Director of Education
Judy Seiff becomes Director of Education, combining supervision of nursery school and religious school operations. Karen Simpson replaces her as our second nursery school director. Outreach program is developed to address issues affecting families of interfaith marriages. Nursery School enrollment reaches 160. Temple membership grows to 628 families. -
July 1, 1987 25th Anniversary of TRS
25th Anniversary Year observances begin with a special Shabbat service launching the theme “From Generation to Generation.” The centerpiece of the celebration is a lecture by Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel before an estimated 1,200 people. A 25-year history of the Temple, written by Robert W. Kenny, is published. Saturday morning Torah Study in initiated. -
July 1, 1990 Rabbi Schwartzman Installed
Amy Schwartzman is installed as first Assistant Rabbi. Susan Trivers becomes our first Temple Administrator. -
May 1, 1992 Holocaust Torah Dedicated
Dedication ceremony is held for our Holocaust Torah from the Pinkus Synagogue in Prague, Czechoslovakia, the result of a permanent loan arranged by Temple Treasurer Peter Elinsky. -
December 1, 1992 First Mitzvah Day
Over 100 congregants participate in first Mitzvah Day, sorting food and clothing, preparing and serving meals, and helping to furnish an apartment for a homeless family. Judy Seiff becomes Temple Administrator. Dina Burt joins the staff as the Religious School Principal. -
July 1, 1993 Rabbi Berkowits Celebrates 30 Years
Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits celebrates 30 years as our Rabbi. -
July 1, 1995 Project Caravan Started
Packed-house program as Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits remembers his liberation and the liberation of the concentration camps 50 years ago. The Temple’s garden will later receive a brick from the barrack in which he lived while imprisoned in Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Temple launches “Project Caravan” under the leadership of Judy Berkowits and Grazia Sher to provide soup, […] -
July 1, 1998 Koleinu and Shir Harmony Started, New Construction
Volunteer choir is enlarged and takes the name Koleinu (Our Voices). During construction of the new building High Holiday Services are held at Westfields Conference Center for two years. Rodef Arts Cultural Series is initiated A summer of many exciting changes at TRS! The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Temple building takes place on June […] -
July 1, 1999 Rabbi Burstein Joins Clergy, Chesterbrook Partnership
Rabbi Marcus Burstein joins Clergy as Assistant Rabbi. Temple Rodef Shalom joins forces with Lewinsville Presbyterian Church and Immanuel Presbyterian Church to foster the creation of neighbor Chesterbrook Residences, which will open in 2007 to provide affordable assisted living housing for residents with a range of incomes. -
April 1, 2000 First TRS Megillah
“The Megillah According to Broadway” begins a tradition of congregational musical Purim spiels. -
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June 1, 2001 Frank Conlon Honored, 30 years as Choir Director
Concert program honors Frank Conlon for his 30 years as Temple’s Choir Director. -
July 1, 2001 Anita Thornton Becomes First Program Director
The renovated Sanctuary is reopened hosting the American Conference of Cantors and Guild of Temple Musicians. Anita Thornton becomes first Program Director. -
October 1, 2001 Expanded Temple Building is Dedicated
Over the weekend of October 26-28, the expanded Temple building, now with 65,000 square feet of space, is dedicated with a special Shabbat service, “Rededicating Our Sacred Space,” and two nights of entertainment and celebration. The expanded building now includes a new three-story wing with elevator, 22 additional classrooms, meeting rooms, increased office space, new […] -
July 1, 2004 Judy Seiff retires, Honored for 32 Years of Service
Judy Seiff retires as Temple Administrator after 32 years of service in various staff positions—the longest-serving non-clergy staff person (36 years including her tenure as Youth Group advisor beginning in 1968 along with husband Hank Seiff). Beth Silver becomes Executive Director. -
July 1, 2005 Karen Simpson Retires, Honored for 21 Years of Service
Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire serves as Sabbatical Adjunct Rabbi until June during Rabbi Schwartzman’s sabbatical. Karen Simpson retires as Director of the Nursery School after 21 years of service. She is succeeded by Fran Pfeffer. -
July 1, 2006 Debbie Friedman Concert at TRS
A leading composer and performer, Debbie Friedman gives a concert at TRS. Many of her songs are included in our worship services and choral repertoire. -
July 1, 2007 Rabbi Saxe Installed
Another busy summer of staff and clergy transitions, as Assistant Rabbi Marcus Burstein leaves for a position with the Union for Reform Judaism and is replaced by Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe. Cantor Allen Leider joins the staff as Director of Education, and Howard Stregack becomes the first Director of Membership Development. -
September 1, 2007 Babette Cohn Becomes Principal, Grades 4-6
Babette Cohn becomes Principal for Grades 4-6. -
January 1, 2008 Mishkan T’Filah becomes our new Prayer Book
Mishkahn T’filah becomes the new service prayer book. -
May 1, 2008 Rabbinic Intern Neil Hirsch – First Camp Educator
After a three-year term, Student Cantor Rebecca Robins receives her Master of Sacred Music degree from HUC-JIR and became Cantor at a congregation in Milwaukee; Summer Rabbinic Intern Neil Hirsch becomes our first Camp Educator. -
June 1, 2008 Cantor Sher Joins Clergy
Cantor Tracey Scher joins the clergy team bringing the number of Cantors on staff at TRS to four (including Rabbi Saxe and Cantor Leider)! Major renovations begin in the Sanctuary to make the bema accessible. -
September 1, 2008 N’tivot (Pathways) Teen Education Launched
TRS undergoes a multi-year examination of educational engagement, resulting in the unveiling of the JJourneys initiatives in 2011 and the hiring of Dara Holop as JJourneys Engagement Specialist in the Summer of 2012. N’tivot (“Pathways”), a new approach in teen education, launches, adding a new focus on community building and living Jewish values, with multiple […] -
October 1, 2008 TRS Joins VOICE Interfaith Coalition
TRS begins its association with Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), a non-partisan coalition of over 45 faith communities and civic organizations in Northern Virginia working together to make positive change in communities. This new organizing work will later take seed as Hineinu—Standing Together, a Temple-wide effort to organize members for joint deliberation and […] -
February 1, 2010 Haitian Ambassador Joseph Addresses TRS
Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph addresses Rodef Shalom concerning the devastating Haitian earthquake. The Temple adopts the town of Petit-Goâve to provide assistance. -
March 1, 2010 Rabbi Schwartzman Celebrates 20 Years
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman’s 20 years as a Rabbi at TRS are celebrated. In her honor, the Fund for Youth and Jewish Identity is created to increase opportunities for children and teens to engage with Judaism and forge an abiding connection to Jewish life. -
July 1, 2010 Courtney Anthony Succeeds Nathan Weiner, Principal Grades 7-12
Nathan Weiner departs as Principal for Grades 7-12 and is succeeded by Courtney Anthony. -
July 1, 2011 Danielle Heyman Feist Succeeds Jay Rapoport as Camp Director
After 17 years at Camp Rodef Shalom in various roles as camper and staff, Jay Rapoport departs as Camp Director. He is succeeded by Danielle Heyman Feist. -
September 1, 2011 Ari Paskoff Succeeds Brynn Rosenberg as Youth Director, TRS Celebrates 50 years
Ari Paskoff is named Youth Director, succeeding Brynne Rosenberg. The Temple’s 50th year begins with a full calendar of celebration events to honor the milestone. -
October 1, 2011 Bunny’s Place Dedicated
Bunny’s Place, a new outdoor environment, is dedicated to provide the Nursery School with a setting for children to directly experience nature and its many elements. -
June 1, 2012 TRS at 50 – 1,535 households
After 50 years, Temple Rodef Shalom is a community of 1,535 households totaling 5,131 adults and children. Its operating budget is $5.9 million. The Religious School educates 894 children in grades K-12, the Nursery School nurtures 196 preschoolers, and the Summer Camp greets 257 campers plus 120 staff (many of them Temple youth). -
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