The Stories That Connect Us: Our People. Our History. Our Community.
Two Friends. Six Decades. One Community.
Some friendships come and go. Others last a lifetime. For Lee Goldstein and Steven Schwartz, a friendship that has lasted nearly 60 years began at Temple Beth Am, a place that would become much more than a synagogue for both of their families.
Growing up around the block from each other, Lee and Steven were practically inseparable. From riding bikes and mopeds around the neighborhood to shing and selling mangoes on the street, the two quickly became, as Steven describes it, “two peas in a pod.”
And nearly six decades later, not much has changed.
“He’s my ride or die, my wingman, my bestfriend,” Steven says. “We still go fishing, laugh together, and joke around just like we did as kids. Our lives have been intertwined since preschool, through family, community, and decades of shared memories.”
Although they attended dierent schools over the years, their friendship never faded. They grew up together, started families of their own, and remained by each other’s side through life’s celebrations and challenges.
Their story, however, is about more than a lifelong friendship. It’s about the kind of community where relationships grow, families become connected, and a sense of belonging is passed down through generations.
Over the years, the two families became like one, with Lee and Lisa lovingly known as “Uncle Lee” and “Aunt Lisa,” and Steven and Laurel as “Uncle Schwartzy” and “Aunt Laurel” to each other’s children.
Temple Beth Am has remained part of both families’ lives through countless milestones and shared memories. Today, that connection continues with Lee and Lisa’s daughter, Alexa Paul, who grew up at Beth Am and recently joined the team as Director of Development.
When asked what makes Temple Beth Am special, Lee’s answer was simple: “The religion, the community, the clergy. It’s a place where we come together through the good times and the dicult ones. And now, with the addition of The Hub, we can even enjoy incredible performances so close to home.”
Even as life has taken them in dierent directions, their connection to Beth Am remains. Steven, who now splits his time between Miami and North Carolina, says Beth Am still feels like home whenever he returns.
Nearly six decades later, Lee and Steven are still those same two kids from preschool, sharing laughs, making memories, and showing us what lifelong friendship looks like.
Their story is a reminder of what makes Temple Beth Am so special: a place where friendships begin, families grow together, and community becomes part of your story for generations to come.