Ecclesiastical or organizational status Synagogue Website www.tiwestport.org Completed 1959 Phone +1 203-227-1293 | Status Active Architectural type Synagogue Opened 1959 Affiliation Reform Judaism | |
Location 14 Coleytown Road,
Westport, Connecticut,
United States Address 14 Coleytown Rd, Westport, CT 06880, USA Similar Sherith Israel Temple, Compo Beach, Congregation B'nai Israel - Bridgeport, Temple Israel of the City of Ne, Westport Historical Society Profiles | ||
Temple Israel is a reform Jewish synagogue located in Westport, Connecticut. It was established in 1948. Currently, about 700 families are members of the community.
Contents
History
The congregation was founded in 1948. The temple was dedicated in May 1959.
Throughout the 1960s, under the leadership of Byron T. Rubenstein, Temple Israel became a hotbed of social change and activism, with speakers including James Baldwin, Margaret Mead and Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.. In 1964, Rabbi Rubenstein protested as part of the St. Augustine movement, and was arrested along with 16 other Jewish leaders. This was the single largest mass arrest of rabbis in American history.
The synagogue was substantially renovated and expanded in 1990, more than doubling the capacity of the sanctuary. In 2002-2003, another expansion of the temple substantially expanded the religious school wing, which houses the Leo and Libby Nevas Religious School and the pre-school program.
In 2012, the temple board simultaneously announced the retirement of Rabbi Robert Orkand and Cantor Richard Silverman, as well as the departure of Associate Rabbi Alysa Mendelson Graf, Cantor Scott Harris, and Executive Director Sandy Silverstein. This wholesale staff shakeup, particularly the choice to let Rabbi Mendelson and Cantor Harris go, caused considerable controversy within the congregation. Eventually, this pressure led to the board's decision to offer an ultimately rejected extension contract to Rabbi Mendelson.
On May 12, 2015, two protesters entered Temple Israel with the intent to disrupt a luncheon. Initial reports that they were armed led to lockdowns at the temple's pre-school, as well as the nearby Coleytown Elementary and Middle Schools and the pre-school at the Unitarian Church. The protesters were arrested and charged with criminal trespass and breach of peace.
Leadership
Executive Director: Lisa Goldberg, 2012 - present
Former Executive Directors
Current Board President: Gary Schanzer
Immediate Past President: Steven Phillips
Clergy
Rabbis
Current Senior Rabbi: Rabbi Michael S. Friedman, 2014-present
Former Senior Rabbis
Current Assistant Rabbi: Rabbi P.J. Schwartz, 2013 - present
Notable Former Associate and Assistant Rabbis
Cantors
Current Cantor: Cantor Dan Sklar 2012-present
Former Cantors
Services
Temple Israel provides a variety of meaningful opportunities for prayer, study including an early childhood program, religious school and community events.