Temple Israel (Boston)

Temple Israel (Hebrew: קק עדת ישראל) is a synagogue affiliated with Reform Judaism in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1854 as Adath Israel, the congregation is the largest Reform synagogue in New England.

The congregation Temple Israel, originally known as Adath Israel, was founded in 1854 when Jews of German ancestry seceded from Ohabei Shalom, then the sole synagogue in Boston, because so many Polish Jews had joined the congregation. The congregation immediately renovated a house on Pleasant Street for use as a synagogue. The congregation purchased land in Wakefield in 1859 for a cemetery. The Columbus Avenue synagogue building, designed by architects Weissbein & Jones, was dedicated in 1885 and was indicative of the growing size and wealth of congregation, and the influence of its members and leaders. The Auxiliary Society was founded in 1894, the first internal temple organization dedicated to social service, cultural activity, education, and social functions.

The Commonwealth Avenue Temple, designed by Clarence Blackall, was dedicated in 1907. Rabbi Harry Levi, who served as rabbi from 1911 to 1939, led to changes within the religious school by implementing new policies such as paying teachers, establishing branch schools, and refocusing the curriculum on more traditional Jewish subjects. He officiated at the first congregational Seder, held in 1913. Abram Vossen Goodman stated, "For the first time we liberal Jews indicated that we wanted to participate in old Pesach traditions with our own version." This seder was the first to follow the Reform-sponsored Union Haggadah. Rabbi Levi commenced radio broadcasts of sermons in 1924, which led to his being known as the "Radio Rabbi."

With his installation in 1954, Rabbi Gittelsohn—the first Jewish chaplain of the United States Marine Corps—brought a new commitment to social action to Temple Israel during his tenure. During his time as the rabbi of Temple Israel, the congregation started the Boston Ruleville Interfaith Committee (BRIC) in 1959. In April 1965, during a visit to Boston, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Temple Israel and spoke at their Passover event.

Murray Simon was installed as the Temple's first cantor in 1972 and in 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.

In 2004 the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary, and after Massachusetts became the first U. S. state to legalize gay marriage, gay marriage ceremonies were held at the synagogue.

Rabbi Elaine Zecher was elected as the senior rabbi of the congregation in 2016, the first woman to hold that post. She succeeded Rabbi Ronne Friedman, who had become the senior rabbi in 1999, who had in turn succeeded Rabbi Bernard Mehlman. The first female cantor was appointed in 2020: Alicia Stillman succeeded Roy Einhorn, who became emeritus after 27 years.

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.