Shul by the Shore Opens Its Doors

Shul by the Shore Opens Its Doors: A New Center for Jewish Life in Long Beach

Rabbi Levi Perelmuter

After years of perseverance, prayer, and community partnership, Shul by the Shore is opening its first permanent home—marking a transformative moment for Jewish life in Long Beach.

The new synagogue, located at 4545 E 4th Street in Belmont Heights, represents the culmination of a decades-long vision for a vibrant, inclusive center of Jewish connection and observance. Led by Rabbi Abba and Chanie Perelmuter for over 25 years, Shul by the Shore has become a cornerstone of Jewish life in Long Beach—serving as both a spiritual anchor and a hub for education, celebration, and outreach.

For many years, the congregation met at the Seaport Marina Hotel, a beloved gathering place for services, holidays, youth programs, and Jewish learning. When the hotel was demolished to make way for redevelopment, the community entered a challenging chapter—operating without a fixed location and adapting to borrowed spaces across the city. These years of transience, compounded by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, tested the resilience of both leadership and membership.

“There were moments when it felt like we were reliving the journey through the wilderness,” reflected Rabbi Perelmuter. “But even as we schlepped Torah scrolls from one temporary location to another, our sense of mission only deepened.”

That mission took a giant leap forward four years ago, when the congregation secured the property on 4th Street. What followed were years of permitting battles, logistical hurdles, and fundraising milestones—navigated with the steady leadership of devoted lay partners and the unwavering support of a passionate community.

With construction nearly complete, Shul by the Shore is now preparing to inaugurate a permanent space that is more than bricks and mortar—it is a living testament to Jewish continuity, hospitality, and spiritual vitality.

Affiliated with Chabad, Shul by the Shore is rooted in traditional Jewish practice and animated by a spirit of openness. The community prides itself on welcoming individuals and families of all backgrounds and levels of observance—offering

meaningful engagement for the deeply observant, the culturally curious, and everyone in between.

“Our motto has always been ‘no labels, no judgment,’” said Rebbetzin Chanie Perelmuter, who directs many of the synagogue’s dynamic programs for women, children, and young families. “We believe every Jew should feel at home—connected to their heritage and to each other.”

The new building will house a sanctuary, classrooms, social spaces, and flexible areas for youth education, holiday celebrations, and intergenerational programming. Beyond regular synagogue services, the shul’s calendar includes Hebrew school, bar and bat mitzvah preparation, teen groups, young adult gatherings, and community lectures open to the public.

“This space is not just for our current members—it’s for the future of Jewish life in Long Beach,” Rabbi Perelmuter said. “It’s for the children who will learn Alef-Bet here, for the families who will celebrate simchas together, and for anyone seeking meaning, belonging, and Jewish connection.” To learn more about this historic milestone, visit ShulbytheShore.org/Build.

Shul by the Shore will also be hosting High Holiday services in the new synagogue this fall, and all are warmly invited to join.