Rabbi Joseph Edelheit, Rabbi Guershon Kwasniewski, Rabbi Emerita Suzanne Singer at installation of Rabbi Guershon
A happy fate shines down on Temple Beth El in Riverside. The revered spiritual institution is benefitting from two recent shifts that will stretch its impact.
One of them is an Inland Empire Community Foundation Field of Interest Fund grant that the organization uses for various programming and initiatives. The other news is the installation of a new rabbi, who was recently sworn in to serve Temple Beth El.
Rabbi Guershon Kwasniewski hails from South America, taking over the reins of longtime and beloved leader, Rabbi Suzanne Singer. President Jory Yarmoff is quick to note the significant shift, Singer’s legacy, and how special funding, such as grants, allows the organization to plan and move forward.
“Funds like recent grants help us make an installation of a new rabbi possible,” Yarmoff says. “Our new rabbi was officially welcomed on a Friday night at an event that was open to our whole congregation. Then, on Saturday night, we had a gala fundraiser at the Marriott, where several speakers, including the mayor of Riverside, spoke. It brought the community together.”
Yarmoff also noted how Temple Beth El benefits from general funding, especially several of its teaching programs. To that end, its educational opportunities include adult education and religious school for pre-kindergarten through 10th grade. The organization also offers junior and senior youth groups that meet monthly for various social activities.
The congregation is dancing the hora in celebration of the installation, with music provided by two musicians from Argentina and other local musicians and singers.
Temple Beth El has used grant funding for many years to invite distinguished speakers from other places for its adult education programs. At times, these resources also allowed the organization to invite singers and musicians to perform.
These “enhancements” generate a significant ripple effect.
Looking ahead, Yarmoff says Rabbi Gershon will invite cantors to sing at some of the services because presently, Temple Beth El does not have its own cantor.
“We have volunteers who serve as cantor every week,” he says. “But these cantors are important as they lead the service with the rabbi.”
Also on the horizon for 2025 will be additional adult education programs and speakers who will filter into the unique mix of programming offered by Temple Beth El. All of it, Yarmoff says, feeds into the collective life force at the institution.
“It’s really about the community,” he adds. “We really feel like a family rather than just a synagogue. We’re all there for each other. There aren’t a lot of Jews in Riverside. We’re the only actual synagogue, so it’s really become a place where we have a very diverse group of people.”
Diversity is significant in the congregation, in fact.
Gala celebration of the installation. Rabbi Guershon is being held aloft in a chair, which is a Jewish custom at special events, while the congregation continues to dance and celebrate.
“We have LGBTQ+ members, and people from all different places, but we all are united as a family in the celebration of Judaism,” Yarmoff says. “Everybody meets other people here. It’s friendly, and we have a lot of events together.”
“People are ecstatic about the place,” he adds.
The love spreads far and wide, too, apparently. The organization has a strong arm in community outreach, linking people to information and/or volunteer opportunities in the field of climate change, homelessness, and human rights.
“We’re always trying to get more people to come in,” Yarmoff says, “whether you’re Jewish or not because all people are welcome here.”
Learn more at www.tberiv.org/
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