The Community Synagogue is a Reform Jewish Congregation which seeks to fulfill its religious and ethical goals by being a center for spiritual fulfillment, lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, community leadership, social responsibility, and by lovingly entrusting our Reform Jewish tradition from generation to generation. They are committed in their support of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people throughout the world.
In 1970, eleven Port Washington families formed Port Jewish Center. They had no rabbi and no building, but they did have an ark, built by one of the members, a Torah rescued from the Holocaust, a pioneering spirit and commitment to practicing Judaism and to giving their children a Jewish education.
In the first year, congregants managed to organize a religious school, build a Sukkah, engage a cantor and a part-time Rabbi, and conduct High Holy Day services where everyone, member or not, was welcome. Cantor Herb Strauss served, initially in a volunteer position, from 1970 until his death in2007. His thirty-seven year tenure offered long-term stability to PJC as we welcomed a series of student rabbis to our growingto our congregation. By 1981 PJC had its first permanent Rabbi, Donna Berman, who led the congregation for twelve years. In 1993, Rabbi Beth Davidson became our leader for the next twelve years. Our congregation acquired its permanent home on Manorhaven Boulevard in Port Washington in 1986 and successfully completed a major expansion and renovation in 2000.
Presently, PJC is led by Rabbi Sheila Goloboy and has 128 family member units, drawing its membership from Port Washington and nearby towns. It has a thriving religious school and a wide range of religious, educational and social programs. In our nearly 40-year history, the underlying values that shaped our congregation have not changed. PJC continues to welcome all who wish to worship with its warm, informal atmosphere and to encourage active participation in the life of our community. Our mission is as it has always been: to lead a Jewish life, to observe and preserve Jewish ritual and custom, to give our children a Jewish education, and to show compassion through acts of Tzedakah and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), both within the Jewish community and beyond.