Fountain Valley’s first synagogue celebrates 25 years

Torus Tammer

B’nai Tzedek translated means “children of justice.”

In 1976, its congregation formed as the first synagogue in Fountain

Valley, and next month it will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Rabbi Stephen J. Einstein, one of Congregation B’nai Tzedek’s

founders, remembers the modest beginnings.

“It was a time of residential expansion in Fountain Valley, where

schools were being built and a lot of new families were moving in,”

Einstein said. “We started with 31 family units,and, almost 25 years

later, we have about 430 family units.”

Einstein recalls that the congregation immediately integrated into the

community by philosophy, as well as necessity.

Times were lean for the group, and of immediate importance was finding

a building where they could conduct worship services. Cut to the Rev.

Ford Miller of the First United Methodist Church of Fountain Valley.

Miller offered B’nai Tzedek members his church, which became their

home for several years. B’nai Tzedek was inspired by the Methodists’

generosity and, consequently, came up with the idea to hold Thanksgiving

services.

“I started a Thanksgiving service in the first year, which included

the participation of a variety of faiths,” Einstein said.

Even though they eventually constructed a building on Talbert Avenue

in 1983, the growing congregation grew beyond the expectations of many,

which has meant continued support from the spiritual community. During

the High Holy Days, the synagogue receives anywhere between 800 and 1,100

guests, as opposed to the 100 or 110 they average on regular Friday night

services. So they have had to rely on the Sts. Simon and Jude’s church

for several years, using the Christian facility to hold the prodigious

turnouts.

Marc Ecker is one of the 31 original B’nai Tzedek members. Both he and

his wife, Linda, have remained involved in the synagogue’s existence.

Linda Ecker is a cantor and has been working with the rabbi for more

than 15 years.

“And I have administered the religious school for 22 years,” she said.

Ecker said he believes B’nai Tzedek has been a special place because

of the way it reaches out to its members, as well as the community. Ecker

added that people join B’nai Tzedek because of the comfortable atmosphere

it provides.

Pam Rosen who recently took over as president of B’nai Tzedek said the

group tries to be aware of and lend support to the community in whatever

way it can.

One such example has been its dedication to the Orange County

interfaith shelter, a short-term shelter for people of all faiths,

providing sanctuary for those in need. The diligent efforts of the

synagogue to connect with the greater community extends into an array of

areas.

Einstein, for instance, has been involved with everything from the

school district to the Fountain Valley Police Department, where for the

past seven years, he has served as chaplain.B’nai Tzedek continues to

flourish as its members remain proactive in illuminating the theme of

justice for all.

“We chose the name of the temple based on a line from Deuteronomy,”

Einstein said. “Justice, justice shall you pursue.”