The beginnings of Har Sinai Hebrew Congregation dates nearly 150 years to November 19, 1857, when the Har Sinai Cemetery Association was formed. Funds were raised by subscription and eventually a tract at the corner of Liberty and Vroom Streets were bought.
Har Sinai Hebrew Congregation was an outgrowth of this Cemetery Association. Before its formation, religious services were held in private homes and then in rented quarters. Formal services, regularly conducted, began with the formation of the Har Sinai Hebrew Congregation in 1860. They were held in the old Chancery Building, which stood at the corner of West State Street and Chancery Lane. At a meeting in July, 1860, the congregation decided to incorporate. Nearly all of the founders were German, and for many years the services were conducted in Hebrew and German.
The first permanent house of worship was a little brick chapel, purchased from the Lutherans, on the west side of North Montgomery Street. It was refitted as a synagogue and dedicated on March 23, 1866. This building had evidently never been deeded to the congregation; thus on March 16, 1872, the first temple was sold at public auction. Through the tireless efforts of several congregants, sufficient funds were raised so that by autumn of 1872 the congregation once again owned the property.
In July, 1903, Har Sinai sold its Temple to Bayard Post, No. 8 G.A.R., and then purchased a lot at the southwest corner of Front and Stockton Streets, where it erected its second house of worship. The temple was dedicated on October 7, 1904. Shortly thereafter, the congregation adopted Reform Judaism and English replaced German in the services. In February, 1922, Har Sinai joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, thus gaining official status as a Reform Congregation.
Changes in the religious practices of the congregation saw the return of the chanting of the kiddush and the use of the Shofar instead of a coronet for Rosh Hashanah.
A quarter of a century had passed and the congregation once again felt the need for expansion, particularly to accommodate the growing enrollment for the religious school. In 1925, Har Sinai purchased a lot on Bellevue Avenue and erected the present structure, with Louis S. Kaplan serving as architect. The cornerstone was laid on November 6, 1929 and dedication ceremonies took place the following September.
In December 2006, after nearly 80 years in its urban Trenton location, Har Sinai completed the acquisition of its new future home in Hopewell Township and the sale of its historic Bellevue Ave. property. Nearly conincident with its 150th anniversary, ground breaking on its new state-of-the-art Religious School, office, and multi-purpose/chapel began in March, 2007, and Phase II construction of a new sanctuary will commence subsequently.
Over the years, Har Sinai has striven to be the preeminent congregation in our community, offering a wide range of services and programs to its members and to our community. The Congregation now offers a growing religious school with midweek Hebrew classes in both Yardley and Lawrenceville, an active Youth program, a regular series of Friday evening speakers and scholars on contemporary ethical, religious, literary and political topics, regular Family Services, and a whole host of other programs and special events. The members of Har Sinai are active not only within the life of the congregation, but also serve on numerous community boards and organizations.
Har Sinai was not only the first Jewish institution in Central New Jersey, but it also has been at the focal point of the Jewish community in the Delaware Valley. Today, our congregants come not only from the Trenton area but as well from Princeton, Bordentown, and Yardley, PA. The congregation today includes more than 500 families.
Throughout its 150 year history Har Sinai has sought to bring spiritual meaning and comfort to the membership. We look forward to Har Sinai’s continued growth and strength within our community.
