"They worked the issues through very nicely. They were really ready," Lederman said.
Pohl, formerly the rabbi of Nevey Shalom, says the two groups shared about 90 percent of their values, which made for an easy merger. The groups first convened at the Kol Ami location Aug. 1.
"Everyone is working, cooperating, merging, converging and moving ahead," he said.
Both congregations are of the Conservative denomination, referring not to political views but to a desire to conserve the Jewish traditions while keeping with modern times. Conservative Judaism takes a contemporary, nonfundamentalist approach to the faith and stresses the role of education, community, the synagogue and tradition in Jewish life.
The new Kol Shalom will be the third Jewish congregation in Anne Arundel County, along with Kneseth Israel, an Orthodox synagogue, and Beth Shalom, a Reform temple.
Goldstein said the Jewish population seems to be thriving in Anne Arundel, though the opposite has been true in Prince George's County. He said Nevey Shalom has found a way to create a lasting presence in a way that retains the respect of their members and their temple artifacts.
"It will be a spiritual and warm event," Goldstein said. "It will be an event where you see the spark of Judaism flourishing in the community."
jasmine.jernberg@baltsun.com
