The first location at 62 Monmouth Street housed the continuously growing Congregation until the summer of 1958 when the Congregation literally outgrew its rented accommodations. What was then 60 Jewish families embarked upon a fundraising program to purchase a building site which would be centrally located in Red Bank, easily accessible by bus lines, and at the same time in a residential area which would be suited to the location of a House of Worship.
CURRENT LOCATION PURCHASED
A wonderful opportunity presented itself when a 23-room house on a lot approximately 100’ x 260’ beautifully situated on Maple Avenue (Route 35) became available. Centrally located, the property would be accessible to the Orthodox Jew who would not, for religious reasons, travel to services on the Holy Sabbath and Holidays, and to those who would use public transportation.
In March 1958, the Congregation purchased the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Shippee at 186 Maple Avenue for $19,000.
A variance was granted to Beth Shalom to construct its synagogue. A determined group of members brought hammers, nails, electric wire, and an assortment of abilities to this building and literally built a synagogue from an old house. You could say they made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but that doesn’t sound quite Kosher. The entire interior of the building was demolished and completely reconstructed by the members of the Congregation. A total number of approximately 4,000 man labor hours was expended by the members during the months of July to October of 1958, all on a purely voluntary basis. The entire structure was the result of a do-it-yourself program with the sole exception of the brick front of the building. Even the children lent a hand, helping in any way possible from painting window trim to cleaning up debris.After extensive renovations (which totaled about $24,000), Congregation Beth Shalom began holding services in September of 1959 at its current location. A Torah was presented by Nat Tenenbaum, a past-president, in memory of his parents. The members walked across the threshold of this building bringing hopes and dreams, and nurtured a Jewish presence in Red Bank that has endured for over 50 years.
Because of its ideal location, its full program of activities for both young and old, and its variety of affiliated organization bodies (Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Mr. and Mrs. Group, Adult School, Hebrew and Sunday Schools, Youth Programs, Film Societies, Tallis and Tefillin Club), the Congregation grew rapidly in the following year to number 98 families in December 1959. The Synagogue was originally affiliated with the Yeshiva University Synagogue Council and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
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