History & Building | Makom

Our History

How awesome is this place! This is none other than a Beit Elohim!

(Gen . 28:17)

Transforming our building from stone and steel into a makom, a sacred space.

Honoring Our Past

After purchasing land on Bethel Road, Temple Beth Elohim opened its doors as a Reform congregation for 72 founding families in 1960. Despite two additions to the building, by 2000, the temple was not able to meet the educational and spiritual needs of 600 families. In 2009, ground was broken to build a new home for more than 1,000 families, which is the makom that houses us today.

In our current makom, the past is respectfully folded into the present and brought forward into our future. Throughout the building, you’ll find art and artifacts that honor the people who have made us who we are today, from our Founders Plaque to our Donor Recognition wall to the beautiful rendering of our original sacred home. We also repurposed many of the materials into artwork in our building. The intended message is that everything has value and that we do not waste or discard; instead we reinvent and carry forward with a renewed vision and purpose.

Art, Iconography & Judaica

Our History: From the Beginning

1949

Temple Beth Elohim credits our beginning to 22 women who, like many Jews in Boston after World War II, moved to the suburbs to raise their families. In 1949, they formed the Jewish Women’s Community Group of Wellesley mainly for social and cultural connections.

1950

Men became active as well, and the group changed its name to the Jewish Community Group (JCG). They broadened their focus to include educational and religious initiatives.

1952

Land for a temple building is purchased at the corner of Oak and Worcester Streets for $2000. In early 1955, an architect prepared plans and groundbreaking was planned for April 1957. But in August 1956, the state bought part of the land from the Group to widen Route 9.

1955

The first High Holy Day services of the Jewish Community Group are held at the (former) Unitarian Universalist Church on Weston Road. For several years, services are led by a Conservative cantor and the Group uses Torahs borrowed from Temple Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill.

1956

Hebrew School is founded, with classes held twice weekly. There are 11 students in the first class. Classes are held at the Wellesley Red Cross and the Friendly Aid Society buildings.

1957

Using the money realized from the sale of the Route 9 parcel, a new parcel of eight acres on Cedar Street was purchased in January 1957 for $5000. This would be the site of Temple Beth Elohim.

1960

Ground is broken in the spring for the new building for Temple Beth Elohim, which is ready for the High Holy Days in September. The first Torah is purchased for the temple. High Holy Day services are held for the first time in the temple’s new building on Bethel Road.

1972

With temple membership of 175 families, the TBE Nursery School is approved by the Temple Board in the spring and opens in the fall with 12 students.

1978

The congregation votes to add an expansion because of the growth of the membership. The temple dedicates its first major addition and renovation on March 28, 1982. The bimah is graced by a new menorah, designed by congregant Judith Morton.

1993

With approximately 325 member families, the temple expands the atrium and builds a new wing with 10 classrooms, a library, and administrative offices to accommodate the continuing growth of the congregation.

2005

Plans are developed to build a new building that will address the needs of 1000-plus families.

2008

We launch the Makom campaign for a new building.

2009

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new building are attended by over 500 members and supporters. Temple Beth Elohim is named by Newsweek, on April 4, 2009, as “one of America’s 25 most vibrant Jewish Congregations.”

2010

Our new makom is dedicated on December 19, 2010.