Groundbreaking Dedication

This past Sunday, with over 500 in attendance, we formally broke ground on our new synagogue building. It was a lovely day. The children sang, dignitaries spoke, and I was honored to give the invocation.

The following is the text of what I said:

Eighty five years ago, our spiritual forebearers, bold men and women of vision, stood together to dedicate the first congregation Beth El, then in Camden New Jersey. Many of them were recent immigrants, or the children of European parents. Fate had brought them to South Jersey, but a sense of destiny had led them to put down roots. Then, 39 years ago, in response to the growth that had stemmed from those roots, construction began on a new Beth El, one that would build on the vision of those who had come before. And now, two generations later, we are the branches that grow from the Etz Chayim, the Tree of Life, that is Beth El. The buds and flowers that will emerge from the branches will be the next generation of Jewish leaders, those who will someday thank us for the effort we are about to undertake. On September 13, 1998 we dedicated our new school building with an enrollment of about 200. today we have over 600 children under our tutelage and care – and we are just getting started.

It is with great humility that I, as Spiritual Leader of this great and mighty congregation, offer the following prayer of invocation and consecration:

Almighty Gd, and Gd of our Ancestors:
We have come here today to hallow Your name by breaking ground on this site for a Bet Kinneset dedicated to You. In this most significant hour, we invoke Your blessings upon the work of our hands.

Thirty centuries ago, You commanded our ancestors, ”V’Asoo Lee mikdash….”
“Make for Me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst.” From that day to this, their descendants have established houses of worship wherever they dwelled. We recall today those who built the First and Second Temples. We remember those who built the simple shuls of Europe as well as the many lavish congregations destroyed by enemies of our People in ancient times and not so very long ago. Our success will be their victory – the triumph over death that only spiritual life can bring.

This morning we of this community, young and old, have gathered to take the first step in the physical construction of a magnificent new building, with the hope of consecrating it to You, our Torah, and Your Holy People. Fully do we realize the magnitude of this undertaking; well do we comprehend the tremendous responsibilities we have assumed by beginning this work. Grant us Your assistance to complete this work, for the glory of your name and the sake of Israel.

We consecrate this site as Admat Kodesh, sacred ground, whereupon we shall endeavor to perpetuate and vitalize the faith we have inherited – for ourselves, for our children, and for future generations of Jews. We are thankful, dear Gd, for the spirited men and women who have given their support thus far in our labors; for the many of our community who have responded enthusiastically to our call and made possible the genesis of this holy work.

Bless all those whose shared vision has helped to make this moment possible. May this momentous occasion inspire all of us to continue our efforts with love and devotion until we have completed that which we have begun today. May we work together to create a home in which You, and we are truly blessed. AMEN.