Temple Israel of New Rochelle on the Web

Temple Israel of New Rochelle was founded in 1908 by a small group of relatively prosperous Jewish families, mostly of German origin who had moved from New York City to the suburb of New Rochelle. Anshe Sholom, the only other synagogue in the city, was Orthodox with largely an Eastern European style of worship. The founders of Temple Israel wanted a congregation that interpreted Jewish tradition, liturgy and rituals in a way that they perceived to be more appropriate to modern times.
	They rented rooms in an old Post Office Building, engaged an orthodox Chazan as their reader, started a
Religious School and organized a Ladies Aid Society. After recruiting additional members, the congregation incorporated.
In search of their own spiritual home, the newly formed congregation purchased the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, modified the interior and erected an Ark for the Torah Scroll. In 1912, after interim engagements of several qualified laymen, Richard M. Stern was elected as the congregation’s first full-time, resident rabbi. Under this new leadership, Temple membership grew, The Ladies Aid Society was transformed into the Sisterhood, and the Religious School attracted an increasing number of students. In 1923, Temple Israel joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), and a new rabbi, Harry K. Jacobs, assumed the congregation’s leadership. As additional space became necessary to serve the growing congregation, ground was broken for a new synagogue building on Webster Avenue. Meanwhile, Rabbi Alvin S. Luchs joined Temple Israel as its new Rabbi. The rapid growth of the Temple was mirrored in the addition of numerous congregational activities, among them the formation of a Men’s Club, a Men’s Glee Club, a Garden Club, Braille transcriptions by the Sisterhood, and the first appearance of Temple Topics, the Temple bulletin.
	In 1937, a young rabbi, Jacob K. Shankman, who had served a congregation in upstate New York, took over the pulpit. Under his guidance, an era of growth, enthusiasm and interest was ushered in. Bible
literature, customs and ceremonies and Jewish history became required subjects at the Religious School, and Hebrew was introduced. When the United States entered World War II in 1943, Rabbi Shankman took a leave of absence to serve as a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy. Of the many others Temple members who joined the war effort, seven gave their lives.
The 1950s ushered in a period of renewed spiritual and physical growth as many young families moved to Westchester County. Under Rabbi Shankman's leader- ship, Temple Israel became the preeminent Reform congregation in Southern Westchester. It became clear that the congregation needed and could support an assistant rabbi and a permanent cantor. Rabbi Charles Annes, the first assistant rabbi, served for nine years. Cantor Sumner A. Crockett served from the early 1950s to 1980. In 1960, the cornerstone was put down for the current Pinebrook Boulevard building.
	In 1973, after 36 years as a brilliant leader of the growing congrega- tion, Rabbi Shankman was elected Rabbi Emeritus and Amiel Wohl was elected Senior Rabbi.
Under his guidance, Temple Israel began many innovations and new commitments. Making Temple Israel a hub of communal life in Westchester, he organized the Israel Action Committee memorialized the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and the Holocaust and drew attention to the plight of Jews in Russia. With the congregation’s approval, B'not Mitzvah (Bat Mitzvahs), Havdalah and Selichot services, and the modern pronunciation of Hebrew became part of Temple Israel’s regular rituals. Weekly Sabbath and High Holy Day broadcasts over radio station WVOX-AM, under the direction of Rita Rosen, reached out to those who were unable to attend services. Within the larger community, Rabbi Wohl gained high marks for promoting understanding among the religious denominations and advancing interracial cooperation.
	Because of the declining health of Cantor Crockett, Helene S. Reps was appointed the Temple’s new cantor in 1980, continuing the tradition of inspiring musical presentation at Temple Israel. When she became Cantor Emerita in 1997, Cantor Alane Katzew took her place. Cantor Katzew introduced contemporary musical compositions to blend with the choral music tradition of Temple Israel, beginning the transition to a participatory "Singing Congregation" now favored in the Reform movement. In July of 2002, Cantor Erik Contzius came to Temple Israel from Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, where he served as cantor and music director.
He had previously served as cantor at Temple Israel of Omaha, Nebraska from 1995-1998. Cantor Contzius also sits on the board of the American Conference of Cantors.
The history of Temple Israel is full of achievements and memorable occasions. In 1981, the new prayer book "The Day of Repentance" became a High Holy Day companion to "The Gates of Prayer", used for Shabbat, daily and holiday services. The Religious School, providing Jewish education from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and the Temple’s Early Childhood Program for children ranging from 3 months to 5 years, have gained the reputation of being among the best in Westchester County.
	Artwork, including dozens of stained glass windows, decorate Temple Israel. An extensive program of adult education,
including annual endowed lectures, enrich the congregation’s cultural life. The Edith Handelman Library provides an extensive collection of books and journals, the Murray and Gladys Goldstein Cultural offers changing exhibits of art and documents relating to Jewish life, and the Ruth and Sidney Lapidus Conference Center provides a state-of-the art meeting place.
	In July 2000, Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana joined Temple Israel of New Rochelle as Senior Rabbi, and Rabbi Amiel Wohl was elevated to Rabbi Emeritus. With the new
century, a new era of growth and change began. In 2006, Rabbi Cahana’s family moved to Portland, Oregon and Temple Israel introduced Rabbi Evan Goodman as our new senior rabbi.
	Rabbi Goodman and his family came to New Rochelle from San Francisco where he was senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel-Judea. In his first year at Temple Israel,
Rabbi Goodman led a contingent of 67 Temple members of all ages on a misson to Israel. This was the largest Temple Mission to Israel in memory and illustrated Rabbi Goodman’s commitment to, and connection with, the State of Israel.
	In 2007, we introduced Rabbi Beth Nichols as our Assistant Rabbi and Director of Religious Education. Rabbi Nichols is a graduate of the HUC
Los Angeles campus and brigns energy and excitement to our Temple.
In May 2008, Temple Israel will celebrate its Centennial. The months leading up to this milestone will be filled with significant events as we look back on our rich past and look forward to a bright future. Temple Israel has been a beacon of light in the Reform Jewish World for 100 years and will continue its tradition of learning, compassion and Tikkun Olam.