Congregation Beth Shalom is a Conservative Jewish synagogue located at 21 Passaic Avenue. It was founded in 1933 by a small number of Jewish families in the Pompton Lakes area to share cultural and religious activities. The initial meeting place was in a room in the Washington Building on Wanaque Avenue. The first facility to house a religious school for the children, a social hall for families and a place to worship together was on Wanaque Avenue in the Risden Building, that was demolished by a fire several years ago. Several members taught Sunday School classes. The first full time Hebrew School teacher was the well remembered late Dave Goldberg. When facilities became inadequate, the former home of Henry Grah Hershfield on Wanaque Avenue was purchased and renovated to accommodate a sanctuary, classrooms and meeting areas. As this structure in its time became inadequate, a new one was needed. Ground was broken for the current building at 21 Passaic Avenue in 1967 and the name of the synagogue was changed from the Jewish Center of Pompton Lakes to Congregation Beth Shalom. Several years ago a Holocaust Torah was rededicated at the Temple as a constant reminder of the link between the past, present and future generations. The current full time spiritual leader is Rabbi Bernard Schecter. He was preceded by Rabbi Schoen and Rabbi Herman. Today Congregation Beth Shalom continues to maintain an excellent Hebrew school, a hard working Sisterhood, social and social action committees, daily religious services and other relevant functions spearheaded by dedicated congregation officers and board members. This house of worship continues to be a spiritual focal point and a beacon of faith for worshipers of the Jewish faith in the greater northern New Jersey area.