Some of us are fulltime residents of the area, longsettled or newly transplanted; others are weekenders. We have all been drawn to Columbia County for its natural beauty and a way of life that feels connected and real in a world that has become increasingly impersonal and artificial.
Seeking a spiritual correlative to what we have found in our secular lives, we imagined a special kind of synagogue one that would engage women and men with a shared heritage, but very different histories and experiences.
Our synagogue started out its life in a very advantageous way. We were given the opportunity to share space within the Wesley United Methodist Church in Malden Bridge. There we could focus on building a community without worrying about the demands of bricks and mortar. People found us, and we grew, eventually becoming The Chatham Synagogue.