Congregation Adath Israel, 115 Huntingtown Road, invited the public to visit its open house on the morning of August 26.

The open house gave an opportunity for new, returning, or current members to receive a guided tour of the synagogue, enjoy light refreshments, and meet with Rabbi Barukh Schectman, teachers, board members, and committee members.

According to the welcome pamphlet, “Congregation Adath Israel is an egalitarian synagogue dedicated to sustaining Jewish culture, learning, and spirituality in a warm and welcoming environment. [They] strive to provide families and individuals a connection with Judaism that will endure and be passed on to future generations.”

Jessica Gerrish sought just that as she brought her family to the open house to rejoin the congregation.

While growing up in Newtown, Ms Gerrish attended Congregation Adath Israel. Nine years ago, she married her husband, P.J., there. After moving out of town, the family returned to Newtown in April and decided to take their children — Jack, 5, Neilina, 6, and Jacob, 8 — to the open house to have them see where they would be attending Hebrew school.

The children were eager to explore the building and even spotted photographs of their mother and uncle on the wall that showed students from past Hebrew classes.

Rabbi Schectman gave tours of new the building, which was opened in 2007, that included showing the sanctuary, library, and religious classrooms.

On the day of the open house, much of the classroom space was being utilized for its members to work on Congregation Adath Israel’s float for the 2018 Labor Day Parade.

“This year is the hundredth-year anniversary of the synagogue’s existence,” Rabbi Schectman said. With that milestone in mind, the float design had a small-scale model of the congregation’s original building from 100 years ago.

Currently, Rabbi Schectman said, the congregation has about 100 members spanning all ages.

Membership Chair Leah Newman attended the open house and spoke with guests about the many programs they offer.

Ms Newman was married there five years ago, as of Labor Day, and said that as a mother of young children, she knows the importance of having programming that benefits families.

“Kids are a vibrant part of the community,” Ms Newman said. “We have so many events from lectures to movie nights, concerts, services, and religious events.”

For more information about Congregation Adath Israel, call 203-426-5188 or visit congadathisrael.org.