Temple Shalom Groundblessing Ceremony Ocotober 14, 2007
From the desk of Rabbi Jacob Adler:
Only in Fayetteville, or maybe just a handful of other places on earth: Jews dedicate a piece of God's earth for their future synagogue, to be built by a Palestinian Muslim, and the Muslims, Unitarian-Universalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Buddhists, Sufis, etc.. turn out to show their support. Of course, I knew these honored guests were coming: What I couldn't have predicted was the depth of feeling that was manifest. One could perceive and feel the variety of ways of serving God is in fact a sign of God's greatness.
joel g
I would like to congratulate the congregation on dedicating a new temple building.
I was one of the original founders of Temple Shalom. I remember the evening we met at someone's house to discuss the feasibility of a temple. There were only 5 or 6 of us present. It seems like it was the early 70s. I remember, too, the first bar mitzvah, which was held at the Unitarian Church in Fayetteville. The boy's mother was a friend named Sarah Tepfer.
It has been a while, and I left Fayetteville several years ago for northern California. But congratulations. I always wondered how the temple managed after those early years. It's good to see that the efforts were successful.
Sincerely,
Barry Dapeer
USAToday article:
Tuesday, October 16
Fayetteville - After 26 years, members of the Temple Shalom will have their own synagogue, thanks in part to a Muslim contractor. Fadil Bayyari, a Muslim who works as a general contractor in Springdale, volunteered to help the congregation and waived his contractor fees. Since 1981, the members of Temple Shalom practiced their faith where they could. They hope to have the temple open by next year.
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