A small, welcoming Reform Jewish community, Temple Beth Shalom began in 1950 as the Melrose Jewish Community Center. A group of members purchased "Oak Manor," one of the main dance halls in Melrose, and transformed it into Temple Beth Shalom.
Temple Beth Shalom runs the Shalom School and offers activities suitable for all members regardless of age, knowledge of Judaism, or previous experiences. In addition, the temple's religious services are open to participation by everyone in the congregation regardless of background. This participation can be in English or Hebrew.
The Freemason ogranization is the world's largest and oldest male fraternity. Located at 326 Main Street in Melrose is the Fidelity Lodge, where local members meet. The Freemasons give charity and a helping hand to their communities, donating over 2 million dollars a day to various foundations, which is the most of any organization in Massachusetts. For information on how to become a Freemason, visit their website.
Melrose Highland Congregational's spire, rising high over Franklin Street, is an area landmark. In addition to Sunday morning worship, the church offers labyrinth walks the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.; Bible Study every Thursday at 11 a.m.; service through Bread of Life and Habitat for Humanity; a monthly dance for middle school youth; and a nursery school. Choir groups are available for adults and children aged 4 and up. Parishoners routinely undertake outreach efforts and mission programs.
This Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States Post is dedicated to Lt. Norman Prince. Prince was an American who served as a volunteer in the French army in 1915. On Oct. 12, 1916, while flying back from a mission his plane struck a cable and crashed. Prince died three days later. The VFW is heavily involved in community service as well as helping other war veterans. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 2pm.
The Melrose Chamber of Commerce -- led by Executive Director Joan Ford Mongeau and President Kevin DeVinney -- has 250 members across a variety of business categories, including commercial, civic and individual ventures. In addition to networking events for Chamber members, the Chamber also organizes two of the largest annual community events in Melrose: the Victorian Fair in September and Home for the Holidays in December.
The Chamber's office is located on the second floor of the Greenwood Building. The board meets on the first Wednesday of every month, except in the month of July.
Visionary Basketball Group provides year-round basketball development programs for players of all ages and skill levels. The organization offers a wide variety of programs to help players improve their skills, including camps, leagues, clinic, team training, lessons, consulting and more. Programs are conducted at this main location, as well as throughout the region. The main Tremont Street facility is equipped with full courts, viewing areas, a lounge with cable TV, locker rooms, Wi-Fi and vending machines.
Associated with the main YMCA branch in Melrose, the YMCA Childcare Center specializes in supervised daycare for the town of Melrose. The YMCA Childcare Center accepts children between 6 weeks of age and 6-years old. YMCA Childcare Center is NAEYC-accredited and offers an excellent staff-to-child ratio. Low-income family discounts are available. For more information, visit the website.
Originally started in 1995 to address the need for battered women's services in the city, the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) -- with offices on the second floor of the Beebe Estate -- has grown into one of the most active and well-known organizations in the city. The nonprofit has extended its scope beyond domestic violence to include bullying in schools and teen depression and suicide.
MAAV runs anti-bullying programs in Melrose schools and a mentoring program for middle school students, in addition to working with victims of domestic violence and providing a resource for the Melrose Police Department. Among its annual events are the Candlelight Vigil held each fall and the Melrose Running Club's annual Run for Women on Mother's Day, which benefits MAAV.
Active since 1992, MMTV is the community access station of the City of Melrose. A non-profit community organization dedicated to public broadcasting and subsidized through contributions from Comcast and Verizon, MMTV provides a public access forum for residents of Melrose and supports the city government and educational channels.
The organization owns a wide array of professional equipment, including two full-size production studios. Melrosians interested in producing their own television programming, creating a short film, posting a message on the channel or getting involved in a show already in production can contact the station or sign up as a member.
The Melrose Knights of Columbus Council, part of the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members, was founded in 1895. Annual events include Italian Night, holiday parties, a Religious Appreciation Dinner, Oktoberfest and more.
The Knights of Columbus hall is available to host functions ranging from dinner banquets to birthday parties. The function room can accommodate up to 200 people, offers a full kitchen and bar, and has plenty of room for dancing. Rates and a rental agreement are available on the Council's website.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, founded in Nigeria in 1952, has a church on Upham Street in Melrose. The church is known for its Holy Ghost Service, an all-night miracle service that is held in Melrose on the last Friday of every month at 11pm. Regular services are held on Sunday mornings and the church hosts weekly bible studies and prayer meetings.