Every journey begins with a question. For a small group of Jewish families who had moved to the Lake Norman area, it was this: Where can we raise our children Jewishly, joyfully, and close to home?

 

At the time, the nearest synagogues were in Charlotte. But that didn’t stop them. Rabbi Murray Ezring of Temple Israel made the drive to lead monthly services, and religious school met weekly by the lake. A spiritual spark had been lit.

 

Two congregations eventually formed—Lake Norman Jewish Congregation and Beth Shalom—each rooted in a shared love for Jewish tradition. Over time, they came together, merging dreams and resources to create something new: Temple Kol Tikvah—the Voice of Hope.

 

Step by step, we built what didn’t yet exist: a home for Reform Judaism in Lake Norman. A Torah was gifted. Rabbi Shields was hired. A permanent space was secured in 2013.

 

Through transitions, growth, and even a pandemic, the spirit of Temple Kol Tikvah has never wavered. Today, under the leadership of Rabbi David Jaffe and Rabbi Becca Diamond, we continue the journey—living our values, asking big questions, and shaping a Jewish life that’s vibrant, relevant, and deeply our own.