Congregation Jewish Community North began as a vision in 1975 shared by a small and determined group of Jewish families. They envisioned a synagogue that would serve the needs of the growing Jewish and interfaith population of northwest Harris and southern Montgomery Counties.
Initially focused on providing a solid Jewish education for their children, these founding families officially established the congregation in 1976 and affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Nearly four decades later, the congregation is still involved in providing a religious education for its children, spiritual events for the membership and reaching out to improve the lifestyle of the whole community, regardless of faith.
Rabbi Robert Sharff was the spiritual leader of CJCN for more than two decades, beginning in 1981. Upon his retirement in 2001, he was named rabbi emeritus. Reflecting on those years of service he said, “This is a congregation that, in its 30-year history, has always been aware of and, more importantly, actively involved in socia l ju stice for the community .”
For the first seven years, CJCN met in private homes and then in various schools and churches. In 1983, the first phase of construction began on the 4-acre wooded property, located at 5400 Fellowship Lane, in Spring, Texas. The construction was completed with the Meltzer Social Hall, which initially was a multipurpose room and served the congregation as sanctuary, classrooms and social hall.
1983 proved to be a pivotal year in other ways when an unexpected crisis in the oil patch led to unemployment, financial devastat ion and eventually home foreclosures. CJCN joined a coalition of area religious organizations to form the Northwest Assistance Ministries.
In 1987, the congregation added the 7,500-square-foot Jacques C. Shure Religious School wing, named in memory of the chairman of the building program. The religious school wing provided much needed separate classrooms where the children would gain a solid foundation in Hebrew language and Jewish studies.
In 1994, the ‘crown jewel’ of CJCN, the spiritually uplifting Kant Sanctuary, with its distinctive stained glass windows depicting the Jewish holidays, was completed and dedicated.
Upon Rabbi Sharff’s retirement, the congregation engaged Rabbi Matt Michaels, who served from 2001-2005. He was succeeded by Rabbi Seymour Rossel who led the congregation until 2010, when Rabbi Jonathan Siger was called to the pulpit.