Temple Israel (Boston)
Temple Israel | |
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Hebrew: קק עדת ישראל | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
Leadership | Rabbi Elaine Zecher |
Status | Active |
Notable artworks | Louise Nevelson sculpture |
Location | |
Location | 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts |
Country | United States |
Location in Boston, Massachusetts | |
Geographic coordinates | 42°20′25″N 71°06′33″W / 42.3403°N 71.1093°W |
Architecture | |
Architect(s) |
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Type | Synagogue |
Style |
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Date established | 1854 (as a congregation) |
Completed |
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Website | |
tisrael |
Temple Israel (
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2024) |
The congregation Temple Israel, originally known as Adath Israel, was founded in 1854 when
The Commonwealth Avenue Temple, designed by
The building of a new meeting house in Longwood Avenue between 1923 and 1927 represented the congregation's commitment to Jewish education, social and cultural activities, and its growing membership.[citation needed]
With his installation in 1954, Rabbi Gittelsohn brought a new commitment to social action to Temple Israel during his tenure. Some important projects included the Boston Ruleville Interfaith Committee (BRIC), and Rev. Martin Luther King's visit to Boston in 1965. Israel Week/Expo Israel celebrations were held between 1969 and 1971 and demonstrated Temple Israel's new connection with Israel, its heritage, and its current political plight.[citation needed]
Installation of Murray Simon was installed as the Temple's first cantor in 1972; and the following year, a new sanctuary was completed as part of the expanded Riverway campus, with a commissioned sculpture by Louise Nevelson, called Sky Covenant, placed at the synagogue's entrance.[citation needed]
In 2004 the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary, and after Massachusetts became the first U. S. state to legalize gay marriage, gay marriage ceremonies are held at the synagogue.[citation needed]
Rabbi Elaine Zecher was elected as the senior rabbi of the congregation in 2016, the first woman to hold that post. She had served the temple for 26 years previously.[2] She succeeded Rabbi Ronne Friedman, who had become the senior rabbi in 1999, who had in turn succeeded Rabbi Bernard Mehlman.[3] The first female cantor was appointed in 2020. Alicia Stillman succeeded Roy Einhorn, who became emeritus after 27 years,.
Tikkun Central
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.
Community life
Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Israel of Boston
Religious School (Pre-K through 7)
Temple Israel offers a supplemental education program with classes for Pre-K through 7th graders.
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
The Wyner Museum was reopened in 1984 to house the Temple Israel Judaica collection.
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 (mystical text). 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.
Rabbinical leaders
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2024) |
The following individuals have served as senior rabbis of the congregation:
Ordinal | Name | Years | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Joseph Sachs | 1854–1856 | |
2 | Joseph Shoninger | 1856–1874 | |
3 | Solomon Schindler | 1874–1894 | |
4 | Charles Fleischer | 1894–1911 | |
5 | Harry Levi | 1911–1939 | |
6 | Joshua L. Liebman | 1936–1948 | |
7 | Abraham J. Klausner | 1949–1953 | |
8 | Roland B. Gittelsohn | 1953–1977 | Emeritus: 1977–1995[4] |
9 | Bernard H. Mehlman | 1977–1999 | Emeritus: 1999–present |
10 | Ronne Friedman | 1999–2016 | Emeritus: 2016–present |
11 | Elaine Zecher | 2016–present |
Architecture
In 1884–1885, the congregation erected the oldest purpose-built synagogue that remains standing in Massachusetts. The
In 1906, the congregation moved to a new building that is now the Morse Auditorium of Boston University.[1]: 177
In 1926, the congregation began work on a new temple, on the
See also
- History of the Jews in the United States
- List of the oldest synagogues in the United States
- Sites of interest in Boston
References
- ^ ISBN 1555532179.
- ^ "Rabbi Elaine Zecher". Temple Israel website. Retrieved October 20, 2016.[self-published source?]
- ^ "Our Rabbis & Cantor". Temple Israel website. Retrieved October 20, 2016.[self-published source?]
- ^ Stout, David (December 15, 1995). "Roland Gittelsohn, 85, Rabbi and a Marine Chaplain on Iwo Jima". New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Mark W., "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues." American Jewish History, 84.1, 1996, p. 11–27. 2019 article update.
- ^ "Our History". Temple Israel website. Retrieved October 20, 2016.[self-published source?]
Further reading
- Dwyer-Ryan, Meaghan; Porter, Susan L.; Fagin Davis, Lisa (2009). Becoming American Jews: Temple Israel of Boston. Waltham: Brandeis University Press.