About Us

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of Temple Shaaray Tefila, a Reform Jewish congregation, shall be to celebrate, observe, and affirm the most worthy values and ideals of our Jewish tradition. Through a sacred bond with one another and with Jewish communities everywhere, we seek to teach and promote principles of righteousness and justice. We welcome all who embrace our purposes, recognizing that each of us is called upon to confront the essential Jewish notions of God, Covenant, mitzvah, and tzedakah.

History of Our Temple

In 1976, a handful of Jewish families came together to establish Temple Shaaray Tefila. Coming from diverse Jewish backgrounds, they envisioned a Reform congregation that would be welcoming to all those who desired to be a part of this new community.

In its early years, the congregation met for Sabbath and Holiday services at the Unitarian Fellowship in Mt. Kisco , where it also conducted its weekly Religious School. In 1980, the small congregation acquired its current home from the estate of Harry Waxman. Today, Temple Shaaray Tefila has grown to become a living, thriving and vibrant religious community, with over 900 families as members. It is our hope that the beauty and harmony of this setting will continue to inspire our longings for that which is most noble in our hearts, and stand as a symbol of the "beauty of deed", the true cornerstone of Judaism.