Times are changing south of Boston. Temple Shaare Tefilah, a 106-year-old synagogue in Norwood, is relocating to Canton. The move will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, as congregants dedicate their new location 5 miles away, within the premises of Temple Beth Abraham, in Canton.

A ceremony marking the relocation will begin Sunday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m., at Temple Shaare Tefilah’s current home, Commerce Way, Norwood. Traditional prayers for the procession of the congregations Torah scrolls (which contain the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) will initiate the relocation ceremony. The Torah scrolls will proceed by motorcade to their new home on Washington Street, Canton. After the dedication of the Torah scrolls in their new home, congregants of Temple Shaare Tefilah will be welcomed by their new hosts with a lunch for members of both congregations.

The choice of a new location was inspired in part by the synergies members of both congregations felt could be achieved. The congregations are similar in their philosophical outlooks, egalitarianism, and shared membership in the broader movement of Conservative Judaism.

“This is an exciting moment for our close-knit but forward-looking Temple Shaare Tefilah family,” said Carol Turkewitz, president of Temple Shaare Tefilah. “How wonderful it will be to become neighbors under the same roof with our Temple Beth Abraham friends. I truly believe that the future of this area’s greater Jewish community lies in sharing resources and partnering. I’m thrilled to be a part of that.”

For the present, the congregations, although under the same roof, will maintain separate congregational identities. The two congregations look forward to partnering with each other as they work together to plan joint services, programs, and other initiatives.

Michael Bakerman, president of Temple Beth Abraham, noted, “Temple Beth Abraham is proud to welcome Temple Shaare Tefilah. As a Jewish community, we look forward to getting to know their members and share many occasions together.”

Both synagogues, Temple Beth Abraham and Temple Shaare Tefilah, are looking forward to working together to strengthen the Jewish community on the South Shore.

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