CLOISTER, New Jersey⎯Temple Beth El in Cloister, New Jersey is a lively and active Reform Jewish Congregation of approximately 400 households serving the entire New Jersey Northern Valley. A Jewish gathering place for people of all ages, from nursery school children to the elders who founded the congregation, Temple Beth El began in 1950 as an initiative founded by a group of Jewish residents in the area who were looking for a place to meet and worship. At that time the only temples in the community were Orthodox or Conservative. The initial group of nearly 50 families decided to create a Reform Congregation with services initially held in an American Legion Hall in Closter. A year later when a religious school was added, the group used the nearby First Congregational Church.
As time went on, other facets of congregational life developed in addition to the school. Sisterhoods and Men’s Clubs were founded and a kindergarten and nursery school added. As the congregation grew in numbers, the need for a permanent Temple residence became more urgent. After a thorough investigation of available locations, a proper site was found in the Temple’s present location in Cloister. In 1953, three years after the initial founding of the congregation, dedication and groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the new site.
The Temple’s first expansion in 1969 doubled the size facility, and in the late 90’s another expansion was necessary which began the process leading to a new master plan for the facility. Phase 1 of that plan was completed in the fall of 2004, and last year, Temple Beth El completed a major renovation to the sanctuary, lobby, offices and social hall spaces.
With the installation provided by Boulevard Pro (Oradell, NJ), the sound system was upgraded to include six NEXO GEO S8 speaker boxes, two NEXO GEO S830s, two CD12 subs with ZBEAM fly ware, two NEXO NX242 controllers, a Yamaha LS9-16 digital console with a Yamaha MY and MLA8 mic pre cards expanding the console’s inputs to 24. Four Yamaha Installation Series IF2108s speakers were installed and are used for delay zones.
“The recent Temple upgrade was a two-part project,� states Boulevard Pro co-owner James Cioffi. “We were first called in to repair the existing sound system, but what we found was that it really needed to be replaced.� Boulevard first replaced the existing Yamaha 01V audio mixer with the Yamaha LS9-16 and then added the four Yamaha Installation Series speakers with an IF2108 sub for two zones in the social hall area.
“The second part of the project began last summer when Temple management requested that we provide them with a state-of-the-art sound system for the sanctuary,� says Cioffi. “Working with Joe Rimstidt at Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, we designed a system that we felt would best suit the needs and budget of the Temple.� Boulevard recycled the social hall speaker system and added the NEXO and ZBEAM fly ware. Ten Gentner assisted listening stations were also added. The complete sound system is working off Yamaha Studio Manager software through a wireless laptop and can be adjusted from any seat in the house. Four Shure SLX 185/25, two Shure Mx 418/ds, and two Shure Mx 418 wireless microphones were also added by Boulevard.
“The new system has improved the space ten fold,� adds Cioffi. The Temple really is a square box with a lot of hard surfaces, and the NEXO rig is the perfect fit. The Yamaha LS9 is working out really well and the internal design features are all being used to the max.� Cioffi notes that Peter Weinrobe, Chair of the Construction Committee, at Temple Beth El, is very audio savvy and has written all of the user presets and is programming new scenes all the time.
“Throughout the project, James and the staff at Boulevard Pro were extremely responsive and flexible,� states Weinrobe. “Whether it was an antenna that needed repositioning or a ground loop problem caused by the electrician, the Boulevard Pro staff took ownership of the problem right through resolution.�
“This was a great project, an installer’s dream, Cioffi concludes. It looks and sounds great, and the client is very happy.�
For more information on Boulevard Pro, telephone (201) 262-7740 or visit www.blvdpro.com.
For more information on NEXO Speakers, Yamaha Installation Series speakers and LS9 digital consoles, visit www.yamahaca.com.
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About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the recent purchase of NEXO loudspeakers by Yamaha Corporation Japan, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.
