Ner Shalom History
In 1970, Jacob and Joan Cohn placed an advertisement seeking Jewish families to form a congregation in a Prince William County newspaper. Seven responded. These families became known as the Prince William Jewish Congregation and then later Ner Tamid or “Eternal Light.” They met in member’s homes. The first President was Jacob Cohn.
About a year later on the other end of the county, the Jewish Congregation of Manassas held their first Friday night service in the home of the Jackmans, one of the founding members. By the following year the congregation had a new name, Bayis Shalom, which means “House of Peace.” The Bethel Lutheran Church in Manassas provided a home on Friday nights. Soon Rabbi David Schudrich was traveling from Maryland two weekends a month to lead Friday night services and Saturday religious school. Member Harley Tabak was helping him with music and officiating at High Holy Day services. A Torah scroll was donated and a beautiful pine portable ark was built.
By the mid-eighties, the two dozen member families of Bayis Shalom recognized that the Judaism in the Prince William area would be better served if there was a large enough congregation to bring a rabbi to the area and eventually to build a building. In 1985 contact was made with Ner Tamid on the eastern side of the county. Joint meetings were held first with the two boards, and then with the two congregations. Bayis Shalomers were very encouraged by the friendliness of the Ner Tamidites, and were very impressed with Cookie Tendler’s challah. At a congregational meeting it was agreed that merging would be a good thing. Thus, from Ner Tamid and Bayis Shalom, Congregation Ner Shalom or “Light of Peace” was born. Ner Tamid’s rabbi, Samuel Volkman, became the new congregations’s first rabbi. Next, Ner Shalom needed a meeting place that would be equally convenient to people from each end of the county. When Community Baptist Church received our phone call inquiry, the pastor’s wife Betty Sanders responded with “Praise the Lord.” Ner Shalom had a temporary home.
By 1991, Ner Shalom owned outright the 10 acre parcel of land on Spriggs Road that would later become home to Temple Ner Shalom. That same year Jonathan Katz took over as Rabbi for the growing congregation. Groundbreaking for the building took place in October 1993 and the temple was dedicated on October 16, 1994. Ten years later, in 2004, we welcomed Rabbi Jennifer Weiner as our next religious and spiritual leader.
In 2014, Congregation Ner Shalom celebrated 20 years in its building at 14010 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. Ner Shalom serves the needs of Jewish families and individuals in Prince William, Stafford, Loudon and Fairfax Counties, along with the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Under the leadership of a Board of Directors and Rabbi Lizz Goldstein, and with a host of dedicated volunteers, we offer a wide range of services, activities and educational programming for both children and adults.
Today’s Congregation Ner Shalom is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the past, pledged to serving the spiritual, cultural, educational and social needs of our congregation and the community in the present, and committed to providing innovative and progressive ideas to meet the challenges of the future. We are a diverse congregation reaching out to all people and making a conscious effort to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. We welcome everyone who is interested in participating in the lively, vibrant world of Reform Judaism. Judaism stresses community. Ner Shalom is your Jewish community, as well as your extended family in Prince William County, Virginia.
Tue, June 28 2022
29 Sivan 5782
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
JunJune 29 , 2022
Wednesday, Jun 29th 10:30a to 12:00p
We will meet to discuss our next book on June 29, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. The Book is The Rabbi's Wife, The Bishop's Wife: A Historical Novel by David Jacobson and Chayuta Deutsch. According to Amazon.com, the book is about: The moving story of Joana Halevi – one brave woman who was willing to give up the most precious things in her life to maintain her faith. Spain, 1391. Joana, wife of Shlomo Halevi, the Rabbi of Burgos, mother of five, and daughter of a wealthy and respectable family, is living a comfortable, carefree life. Until her world is shattered without warning one summer day. While her husband Shlomo, now Pablo de Santamaria, joins the Catholic church and takes their family with him, Joana struggles with the unrelenting yearning for her children. Will her soul find relief? Will her children return to her side? Jerusalem, 2020. Ruth is struggling with personal conflicts when the Covid-19 pandemic shakes her world, adding loneliness and isolation to her struggle. With her new online friend, she embarks on a voyage that will set Joana Halevi’s memory free from oblivion. Based on the true story of Joana Halevi, The Rabbi’s Wife, the Bishop’s Wifeaddresses human behavior and condition: true and false alliances, betrayal and loyalty, destruction and redemption. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 30 , 2022
Thursday, Jun 30th 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org -
Friday ,
JulJuly 1 , 2022
Friday, Jul 1st 7:00p to 9:00p
Young Adults, between 18-25(ish) are invited to a potluck campfire on the synagogue grounds. Come meet other young Jews in the area, sing some songs, schmooze, kibbitz, eat, and enjoy a nice Friday evening together. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 2 , 2022
Shabbat, Jul 2nd 10:00a to 11:00a
At the synagogue! -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 3 , 2022
Sunday, Jul 3rd 11:00a to 11:30a
Join Rabbi Lizz and the Ner Shalom lifelong education crew for a dip into Talmudic learning. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 7 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 7th 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org -
Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 7:30p to 8:30p
In person! Masks required. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 14 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 14th 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org -
Friday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2022
Friday, Jul 15th 7:30p to 8:30p
Join us at the synagogue for low-key, lay-led summer services! -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 21 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org
Ner Shalom in the News
- Washington Jewish Week - June 30, 2020
CNS Branded Masks Save Lives
- Prince WIlliam Living - September 20, 2019
Annual Patriot Day Shabbat
- Prince William Living - August 26, 2019
Learn About the Jewish High Holidays!
- Prince William Living - July 16, 2019
Synagogue in Summer
- Prince William Living - May 16, 2019
Seasons of Our Joy
- Prince William Living - March 20, 2019
- Learning About Jewish Traditions
- Building an Inclusive & Vibrant Community
- - Prince William Living - December 14, 2018
- The Future of the Community
- - Prince William Living - November 20, 2018
- Coming Together After a National Tragedy
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