In search of old members: Ner Tamid’s 50th anniversary celebration for a shul that lasted five years
Five years is a relatively short life for a synagogue, yet the 200 families that were members of Bellevue’s Congregation Ner Tamid from 1965 to 1970 share a special bond that endures, like the eternal flame for which the shul was named. The young families that established the Eastside’s first Conservative synagogue and religious school share a 50-year bond to Judaism, community and friendship that will be celebrated this spring at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation on Mercer Island. Bellevue’s Congregation Ner Tamid and Seattle’s Herzl Conservative Congregation merged in 1970.
On May 9, Ner Tamid families will be honored during Shabbat morning services and a kiddush luncheon at Herzl-Ner Tamid.
“Ner Tamid means eternal flame, and the small, but mighty flame of Congregation Ner Tamid continues to burn brightly thanks to the vision, passion and energy of the founding families,” said Marilyn Corets, a Herzl-Ner Tamid board member and chair of the 50th anniversary committee. Her father is Ellis Corets, 83, a co-founder of Congregation Ner Tamid. “HNT wouldn’t be what it is today without the big step forward taken by the Ner Tamid generation. This milestone is a golden opportunity to learn from our history as we honor the legacy and plan for the future.”
Ner Tamid’s first Shabbat service was held Friday evening, July 23, 1965 at the Crossroads Theatre. The first High Holiday services were held at Glendale Country Club. In 1966, Ner Tamid purchased a building in Bellevue’s Lake Hills neighborhood as a permanent house of worship. In 1967, the board hired Rabbi Gilbert Kollin, named Cantor Norman Migdal as school principal, and Cantor Joseph Frankel served as school consultant. During its five years of existence, Ner Tamid celebrated the B’nai Mitzvah of 26 students.
With membership of more than 200 families, Ner Tamid voted to merge with Herzl in May 1970. An effort is underway to locate as many Ner Tamid families as possible to join in the celebration. Former members are encouraged to visit www.h-nt.org/NerTamid to add names to the mailing list and learn about other opportunities for participation.