PARSIPPANY — Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah of Parsippany held a Gala celebration to commemorate its 40th anniversary at The Madison Hotel in Morristown, on Sunday, May 17. Gala Honorees included long serving synagogue board members: Gershon Goldberg, recipient of the Hakarat HaTov (Congregation Appreciation Award), Lewis and Linda Golovin, recipients of the Kesser Shem Tov (Crown of Legacy Award), Dr. Louis Goodman, recipient of the Avodat HaKodesh-(Ritual Service Award), which is being dedicated to the loving memory of Eileen Goodman, of blessed memory. Barry Levitt & Constance Pallas, recipients of the Kehillah (Community Builder Award), Rabbi Shalom & Aharona Lubin, recipients of the Rabbinic Leadership Award, and Congregation President Naomi Rotter, recipient of the Community Leadership Award .
Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah is the longest serving Orthodox synagogue in Morris County, and is located at 113 Hawkins Avenue.
It began in 1974 when Philip Bardash, Stanley Kaplan, Irv Gavrin, and George Kace met to form a minyan to pray according to Jewish law and custom. After renting space for many years, the congregation moved into its current building in 1997. The Shul added “Shaya” to its name in 2001 to honor a bequest made in memory of Samuel Graw. During the past 40 years, Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah has adapted to meet the changing needs of its community. A welcoming environment to people from all walks of life, it has recently become a destination Shul attracting weekend visitors from throughout the Tri-State area.
Honorees seated from left to right: Lewis Golovin, Linda Golovin, Dr. Naomi Rotter, Constance Pallas, Barry Levitt. Honorees standing from left to right: Dr. Louis Goodman, Aharona Lubin, Rabbi Shalom Lubin, Gershon Goldberg
