History of Congregation Or Shalom

Congregation Or Shalom was started as “The Conservative Synagogue of the Main Line” in 1974.  We first worshipped and provided education in rental space in Wayne PA.  We later purchased a building in Wayne which is now the Wayne Hotel.  In 1985, we sold that building and moved into our present location at 835 Darby Paoli Road in Berwyn, PA.  The congregation has grown and we have added two additions to the building since its purchase.

We are a Conservative Synagogue with a ‘liberal” outlook.  We were one of the first Conservative synagogues to provide full equality to women members of our synagogue.  We try to make all members welcome including those that are “a blended family”

For the first two years, services were conducted by lay leadership.  Later we were able to engage Rabbi David A. Goldstein (z”l) and later Rabbi David Wortman (z”l) as part time rabbi.  By the late 80s we were able to engage a full time rabbi.  Rabbi Ronald Kaplan, Rabbi Alan Iser,  Rabbi Mitchell Romirowsky, Jacob Rosner and Rabbi Kami Knapp Schechter have led our synagogue.  On July 15, 2024, Cantor Stephen Freedman  became our spiritual leader

The Cambridge School is our tenant and provides day care, pre-school as well as providing before and after school care to the community.

Our building in Wayne which is now the Wayne Hotel                                                                                  Our present building as it looked when we purchased it in 1985