The Kehillah was founded in 1996 by several families who were interested in building a welcoming center for Jewish life in Chapel Hill, one that would link individuals and families to a caring Jewish community. The Kehillah began by meeting for potluck Shabbat dinners and services in people’s homes and in local parks. Upon its establishment, the group chose the Hebrew word for community, “Kehillah,” which means “community.”  Leonard Rogoff, the first president of the Kehillah, & Joan Lenowitz, were instrumental in the establishment of the congregation.
 

As the Kehillah grew, so did its need for space. The Religious School was started in 1998, and by that point, services became too large to be held in private homes. The Kehillah used space at NC Hillel and various local churches and also rented an office building for its school. In the summer of 2001, the Kehillah purchased and moved into its current building, which had previously been owned by the Bible Church.

Since buying the building, the Kehillah has renovated the sanctuary, established Chapel Emanu-El and created a library.

The sanctuary was completed before the Kehillah’s first High Holidays in the building. The stained glass windows were originally installed in a temple of Suffolk, VA.

They were donated to a potential North Dakota congregation, which was not established, so they were then donated to the Kehillah by Arthur Kaplan. The donation of the windows was secured and arranged by Barry Fine, who also secured the donation and restoration of the Ner Tamid, which came from Barry’s parents' Beth El Congregation in Virginia. Bryna Rapp designed the plaque at the entrance, the ark, supports for the stained glass and bookcases; Mel Freedman constructed the ark; and Monte McDermed built the supports for the stained glass and the bookshelves which hold our siddurim and machzorim. The bimah chairs, menorahs, and reading desk came from the former Temple Beth El in Lumberton, NC.

More recently, the Fireside Room was renovated and became Chapel Emanu-El.

The Chapel honors the Emanu-El congregation in Weldon, which closed its doors in 2004 after nearly a century. Kehillah members Sarah, Harry, and Bert Kittner have been instrumental in continuing the heritage of their hometown congregation both spiritually and materially. David Kittner, a member of Temple Emanu-El and president of the Samuel and Rebecca Kardon Foundation of Philadelphia, secured the funding for renovation. The Chapel’s ark is graced by stained glass windows, which replicate those at Temple Emanu-El. On the bimah, there are an eternal light, two silver Menorahs, and two ladderback chairs from the Temple. Kehillah members made the Chapel by communal effort. Bryna Rapp designed the bimah, and Monte McDermed built the ark and framed the windows. Phil Lorang, Howard Glicksman, and Bert Chessin helped turn the room into a sanctuary with Andy Krichman overseeing construction.

The Kehillah’s library honors the memory of Ben Luberoff. Ben, who with his wife Renee moved to Chapel Hill shortly after the Kehillah organized in 1996, brought his wisdom, leonine energy, and multifaceted talents to every aspect of the synagogue’s early growth. The library hosts some of the furniture from the Weldon Congregation as well as books donated by many Kehillah members and non-members. Renee Luberoff has been instrumental in helping set up and organize the library.