Temple Israel (Boston)


Temple Israel is a Reform synagogue in the American city of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1854 as Adath Israel, the congregation is the largest Reform synagogue in Boston and New England.

History

"From its beginning in 1854 as a traditional German shul to its current status as the largest Reform Synagogue in New England, Temple Israel has been an important force in Boston and American Jewish life. The congregation's ongoing efforts to adapt to changes in American society while preserving balance - between tradition and innovation, between acculturation and distinctiveness - exemplify the transformations in religious worship practices, education, and social justice that mark modern American Reform Judaism."
TIkkun Central is the umbrella for all justice and compassion activities at Temple Israel, whether directed inward toward the Temple Israel community or outward towards the larger communities within which Temple Israel resides.
Tikkun Central is a space for community members to initiate and develop actions that work to fulfill the Temple Israel mission of living Judaism through righteous impact. Getting involved in Tikkun Central is a way that many members of Temple Israel make meaningful connections within the community and address root causes of injustice, such as through engaging in grassroots organizing, participating in book groups and discussions about racial justice, improving Temple Israel’s environmental sustainability efforts, offering support for community members in times of need, and engaging in a variety of issues which reflect our values and stories.
Tikkun Central provides space for pursuers of justice and compassion to gather, reflect, enhance each other’s efforts, and open up paths to this work to all members of the community who want to explore their own involvement.

Riverway Project

Named after the location, the is a bold, exciting initiative that connects adults in their 20s and 30s to each other, to Judaism, and to Temple Israel. Activities create community, revitalize Jewish ritual, and explore Judaism through innovative learning.

Families with Young Children

a collaborative effort between Temple Israel, the Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center and Combined Jewish Philanthropies to engage families with kids ages 0–5 in the Boston area in Jewish life through Jewish holiday celebrations, parenting groups, story times, and weekly drop-in meetups. Temple Israel membership is not required to attend these events. LGBTQ, interfaith, adopting, and single parents are welcomed.

The Tent

A Jewish learning community for Greater Boston teens at Temple Israel. In partnership with Jewish neighbors, connects teens with a diversity of voices to strengthen them as learners, as thinkers, and as young American Jews. The program is open to all interested teens, grades 8 -12.

Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Israel of Boston

Since Temple Israel’s inception in 1854, Temple Israel has been a center for Jewish living and learning in the Greater Boston area and is known as a place committed to deep Jewish scholarship, a community that is unafraid to ask the difficult questions and think about Judaism in new and exciting ways. Temple Israel is a synagogue where some of the greatest Jewish teachers, preachers, and learners have gathered to find deeper meaning, understand our shared history, and incubate ideas for a new generation. The presents adult learning in four primary “locations”: The Open Door, introductory courses and content such as introduction to Judaism and basic Hebrew classes; The Town Hall, large events for the larger community, including endowed lecture series; The Classroom, varied opportunities to explore Jewish content in small groups with TI clergy, and local rabbis and scholars; and The Beit Midrash, learning experiences cultivated and facilitated by TI members, particularly TILLI, our initiative for life-long learners.

TI 50s & 60s

offers intellectually stimulating and socially engaging activities for people who are likely to be at a similar stage in life and interested in exploring new ideas and fun places in and around Boston. You can attend as few or as many activities as you wish and you only pay the cost required by the activity — there are no additional membership fees!

TILLI - Temple Israel Life Long Learning Initiative

Aptly named, is a member directed program bringing the challenge and excitement of learning to active, intellectually curious adults. An integral part of the Temple Israel community, TILLI is the only peer-led lifelong learning program in a synagogue in the country. This initiative continues to develop and grow through the exchange of ideas within the TILLI community.

Religious School (Pre-K through 7)

Temple Israel offers a with classes for Pre-K through 7th graders.

The Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center (FJECC) Preschool

serves children from 21 months to 5 years old and is committed to providing the highest quality education in both secular and Judaic studies in a safe, nurturing and non-pressured environment under the guidance of the highest caliber teachers. The program is continually accredited through NAEYC. This accreditation takes a multi-layered and thorough look through all aspects of the program: teachers, children, parents, curriculum, community and administration. Judaically, the FJECC gained our Magen HaGan accreditation through the Bureau of Jewish Education. Completed in the spring of 2015, the Rita and Adam J. Weiner and Family Outdoor Classroom, one of the first Certified Nature Explore Classrooms in Boston, has been a magnificent extension of the playground-adjacent space at the school. This expansive outdoor area is a dynamic, nature-rich learning environment where children are encouraged to thoughtfully explore their natural surroundings both during class and at play.

Interfaith Initiatives

Interfaith couples and families have always been an important part of the Temple Israel community. All who are looking for connections with Judaism and synagogue life are welcome to share personal insights during special events and discussions, learn in stimulating classes, experience Jewish rituals and holidays and enjoy each other’s company while we socialize and celebrate. All events are open to interfaith families and couples. Once a year, Temple Israel hosts an Interfaith Journeys Shabbat Dinner to create a space for Interfaith families and couples to get together and share their experiences and enjoy one another.

On-Site Resources

Temple Israel Archives

Temple Israel is the second oldest congregation in the Boston area, and the largest Reform congregation in New England. Founded in 1854 in Boston, its long history follows the rise of the local Jewish community. The Temple Israel Archives serves as the repository for records, documents, publications, and images relating to the history and administration of Temple Adath Israel of Boston. These records document the congregational history and provide primary source material to assist the clergy, staff, and members of the synagogue. The Archives also serve as a resource for researchers who are interested in the history of Boston’s Jewish community, or in family research.

Wyner Museum

was reopened in 1984 to house the Temple Israel Judaica collection, and tell important stories of the congregation and their families. Other the years we have mounted shows such as Women whose lives Span the Centuries, The Art of Amy Reichert, Palestine Now and Then, and a myriad of other art exhibits.

Dr. Arnold L. Segel Library Center

The library, named in memory of Temple member Dr. Arnold L. Segel, has over 20,000 books, audio- and visual-recordings, books on CD, journals and newspapers on Jewish subjects ranging from Bible to Zohar. Temple Israel members, students, and staff may borrow materials from the library. The library is open to the public for reading and research on site. The librarian, who has over 25 years of experience, and her staff are available to help with individual research projects, and can help you find resources on any topic from just about any location, physical or virtual. The library is a member of the Massachusetts Library System’s Inter-Library Loan program.

Clergy

Current Clergy

1885 building

In 1884-85, the congregation erected the oldest purpose-built synagogue that remains standing in Massachusetts. The Rundbogenstil building, with twin towers and a rose window in the form of a Magen David stands at 600 Columbus Avenue, at the corner of Northampton. Today, it is the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

1906 building

In 1906, the congregation moved to a new building that is now the Morse Auditorium of Boston University.

1926 building

In 1926, the congregation began work on a new temple, on the Riverway at Longwood Avenue in Roxbury, just across the Muddy River from Brookline. The "monumental", Classical building was planned to have an enormous, domed sanctuary, with flanking wings. Only the west wing, about one-fifth of the planned space, was completed before the stock market crash of 1929.

1973 building

The auditorium and religious school on Longwood Avenue were supplemented by a new, modernist sanctuary. Outside on the Riverway was an original abstract sculpture by Louise Nevelson, Sky Covenant.