TEMPLE SHALOM
(Reform)
4615 Lowe Road
Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 458-4739
Fax: (502) 451-9750
E-mail: rabbi@templeshalomky.org
Website: www.templeshalomky.org
In 1976, the founders envisioned Temple Shalom, Louisville’s newest Reform congregation, as an extended Jewish family. In 1989, the temple moved into its current facility, a contemporary, fully-accessible building located on Lowe Road.
Rabbi Stanley R. Miles joined the congregation in 1978 and has been the congregation’s only full-time rabbi. Temple Shalom welcomes members from both traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, and many interfaith families feel comfortable in its warm, nurturing environment. In the fall of 2005, Temple Shalom began the Helen Wiser Rabbinic Internship. An upper class student from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion visits the congregation on a regular basis, greatly enhancing the programming at the temple.
The synagogue is a Beit Tefila, a place for prayer; a Beit Midrash, a place for learning; a Beit Kenesset, a place to experience the warmth of community; and a Beit Tikkun Olam, a place for social action. Temple Shalom emphasizes the importance of families worshipping and experiencing Judaism together; passing down the traditions, customs and ethics of our faith l’dor vador, from generation to generation. Today, the Jewish family takes many forms. Many singles, single parent and intermarried families find Temple Shalom to be a wonderful congregation for them.
As a Beit Tefila, a place for prayer, Temple Shalom has been an innovator on the Louisville scene. Kabbalat Shabbat services begin Fridays at 6:15 p.m. The second Friday of each month is reserved for Family Shabbat. This service, created by Rabbi Miles, is led by children of the congregation to help them become more comfortable on the bima. In fact, most of the bar/bat mitzvah candidates lead the entire Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services on their special Shabbat. On Shabbat morning, the service begins at 10:30 a.m.
In the Temple Shalom tradition, music is prayer. Members of the congregation have also composed much of the liturgical music used in the service. Tot Shabbat, Havdalah and other special programs are planned during the year. In the early 1990’s, Temple Shalom initiated a Tri-Faith Thanksgiving Meal and Service, which are held in mid-November in conjunction with the Christian and Islamic communities.
As a Beit Midrash, a place for learning, Temple Shalom strives to serve the needs of all congregants – regardless of age. Rabbi Miles leads a biweekly Torah Lunch at the Home of the Innocents. The Temple Shalom Adult Learning Program also includes an Introduction to Judaism course, Hebrew instruction and a First Monday Lecture Series.
Temple Shalom partners with Adath Jeshurun and Keneseth Israel for Louisville Beit Sefer Yachad community religious school (see page 21). Kindergarten through sixth grade meets at the JCC. Middle School classes meet at Temple Shalom. Temple Shalom’s high school students participate in the High School of Jewish Studies (see page 22).
Hebrew language training begins in the first grade under the auspices of the Louisville Beit Sefer Yachad. Beginning in second grade, Temple Shalom students learn Hebrew on both Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon. Temple Shalom also partners with Keneseth Israel at the KI Preschool, which Rabbi Miles visits every Erev Shabbat.
The Religious School offers innovative classes in both music and Israeli Dance. Temple Shalom’s confirmation program includes an exciting learning experience: Shabbat in New York City.
Classes in Bible, Torah, Hebrew and Jewish issues are conducted for adults in the congregation, and bar/bat mitzvah training is available for all age groups. Rabbi Miles conducts holiday workshops for Passover and Chanukah. Rabbi also leads congregational trips to Washington, New York and Israel, enabling members to experience the world together. He is one of the representatives of the Jewish community on the weekly TV program, WHAS the Moral Side of the News, on Sunday mornings.
Education for Temple Shalom is also tarbut, Jewish culture. In this spirit on Sunday, October 13, the congregation will sponsor Klezmerfest, a musical extravaganza at Temple Shalom featuring four rousing Klezmer bands from around the country.
As a Beit Kenesset, a place for community, Temple Shalom is multi-faceted. The Women of Temple Shalom (Sisterhood) is affiliated with the Women of Reform Judaism. Through their very successful “Hanukah Helpers” program, the women have enabled community members to give clothing and gifts to many needy Jewish children in Louisville each year for more than 20 years. They also maintain a well-stocked gift shop.
The Temple Shalom Men’s Club sponsors monthly meetings featuring good food, fellowship and stimulating speakers. SHORTY, the Temple Shalom Youth Group that allows teens to participate in many social, religious and social action programs, and is affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth.
Temple Shalom is also a Beit Tikkun Olam, and through the Tikkun Olam – Social Action Committee congregants of all ages strive to help those in need. Whether it is contributing to the Dare to Care Food Bank or the Jewish Family and Career Service Food Pantry, members and visitors can always find a tzedakah opportunity at Temple Shalom. The congregation takes its responsibility seriously, and members realize that although they may never see the world repaired, they are never free to abandon this goal.
Temple Shalom is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. Members of the congregation have served and are serving at both regional and national levels in the Reform Movement. Recognizing its responsibility to our hometown, several Temple Shalom members serve on the Board of the Jewish Community of Louisville.
President: Judy Sharp, President
Stanley R. Miles, D.D., Rabbi
Judy Berzof, Women of Temple Shalom President
Bob Teitel, Temple Shalom Men’s Club President
Bridgette and Mark Salmon, Youth Group Advisers
Kim Frey and Abby Gould, Junior Youth Group Advisers
Visit Temple Shalom’s Virtual Tour!
Learn more about Community Programs in Temple Shalom’s Life & Learning Page.
Visit Temple Shalom Jewish Education Programs.