In the early '80s, a Chavurah, a group of families gathered to share Jewish experiences, was formed in St. Tammany Parish. No synagogue existed in the area at that time, and although many members of the Chavurah envisioned the possibility of a synagogue, others were skeptical. Circumstances seemed unfavorable, as Lake Pontchartrain served as a natural barrier to the New Orleans Jewish population.

Undaunted, the Chavurah conducted its first community-wide Passover Seder, and any trepidation that may have existed quickly vanished. The congregation found the parish to be very open, welcoming and encouraging every step of the way. The United Methodist Church of the Servant opened its doors to the fledgling congregation, and the synagogue's first Shabbat (Sabbath) service was held on October 13, 1995 at the church.

The Northshore Jewish Congregation was officially formed in 1996, with 40 founding members. Joan Cox was the first president, and the congregation retained the services of a student rabbi, Julie Zupan, from Hebrew Union College in New York for its first High Holiday services. With a Torah graciously loaned to the Northshore Jewish Congregation by Temple Sinai in New Orleans, a banner with a menorah in the front of the temple, and a small ark, Northshore Jewish Congregation looked and felt like a synagogue.

The Sunday morning religious school flourished through the generosity of a local private school, in which classes were held, and a top-notch faculty of volunteer teachers. The students were taught Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), tzedakah (charity), gemilut chasidim (acts of loving kindness) and Jewish life cycle events.

In 1999, the congregation secured a location of its own, the former Edmond's Pharmacy on Highway 22. All of the synagogue's furnishings were donated: the podiums, the Ner Tamid (eternal light), the two Torahs, and the ark. The 200 sanctuary chairs were given by its congregants.

In this same time period, the religious school grew to more than 80 students, and the congregation blossomed to over 70 families. Members worked hard to establish a Jewish cemetery, and secured a section of Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Covington for that purpose. The congregation also applied for membership to the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the governing board of the Reform Jewish Movement.

In light of the explosive growth, an ordained rabbi, Martha Bergadine, was hired on a part-time basis. She became the congregation's major source of knowledge, compassion, enthusiasm and motivation. Rabbi Bergadine was a favorite of the religious school students, especially those preparing for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah, the formal acceptance of the responsibilities of a Jewish adult. The ceremony is held when the student reaches the age of 13. To complete their Thicken Olam (healing the world) project, the B'Nai Mitzvah students volunteered at homes for the aged, the Humane Society, the Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

The Northshore Jewish Congregation's continued growth amazed many. Seven acres of land in Mandeville on Highway 1088 were purchased to build a new facility. The groundbreaking in August, 2001 hosted a very special guest speaker, Edgar Bronfman, president of the World Jewish Congress.

Shortly thereafter, however, a church on the Highway 190 Service Road came up for sale, offering a building that met all of the congregation's needs. Realizing that the cost of constructing a new home was continuing to escalate, the congregation purchased the church. In August 2002, the congregation moved into its new, 10,000-square-foot home, just in time for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

After Rabbi Bergadine left following the birth of her son, a new leader was found within the group: Rabbi Jeffery Kurtz-Lender, a congregant, was a natural fit and oversees the congregation's continued spiritual, educational and membership growth.

The congregation now has more than 115 member families. They take pride in participating in many parish-wide events, such as Winter on the Water and the 9-11 memorial, and have been large supporters of Habitat for Humanity. In conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the congregation also successfully hosted a concert by the teenage Israeli Mandolin Orchestra.

Rabbi Kurtz-Lender says, "Now that we are in our own permanent building, we have really seen the congregation mature from an informal group to a well-established community."

Having just celebrated its seventh anniversary, the Northshore Jewish Congregation has accomplished that which few synagogues have been able to do in such a short time period. President Miriam Fleischer says, "Our success is attributable to the hard work of our many members. The formation and growth of our congregation is a dream come true for me."

A Brotherhood and a Sisterhood help with work on community-oriented projects; the group is host to the Communal Hebrew School, and many of its youth group members serve as volunteer counselors at Dream Street Summer Camp for Disabled Children. This is clearly a reflection of the dedication of the synagogue's members, leadership and friends-and the welcoming nature of area residents.

"The parish, government and residents alike have made every effort to include us as welcomed members of this community. The peaceful co-existence among different religions that exists here helps to make it a very attractive location for potential new members," says Maureen Kurtz, membership chair.

The congregation looks forward to continuing to contribute to the culture and economy of the area. As Mike Fawer, a former president, says, "Our rapid growth in the parish relates to the feeling of unity we all share as a community. St. Tammany has much to offer the Northshore Jewish Congregation by way of a home, and in turn, the Northshore Jewish Congregation has much to contribute as a parish resident. It is a perfect match."

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