World Religions in Greater Boston: Home

History

Now the largest Reform congregation in New England, Adath Israel was founded in the 1854 by twenty-five Jewish families of German origin who separated from Temple Ohabei Shalom, Boston's first synagogue. In addition to the congregation’s size and urban location, Temple Israel is known for its innovation and diversity.

Description

Housed in an impressively large building, the temple's leaders make a conscious effort to evoke feelings of a smaller community. The main sanctuary, which is large enough to accommodate 1000 people, uses colorful cloth dividers to enclose the front section and to create a sense of a smaller room for weekly services. Additionally, there is a much smaller space in the basement called the Robert Lloyd Chapel. This chapel shares a similar style with the upper sanctuary but is smaller and more intimate. Temple Israel's facilities include a sanctuary, chapel, atrium, social hall, religious school, preschool, library, conference rooms, offices, and an outdoor terrace. While Temple Israel’s Hebrew School can only accommodate members’ children, the synagogue offers adult education classes that are open to the public. Services are signed for the hearing impaired monthly, on High Holidays, and at the Passover seder.

Activities and Schedule

Services are conducted in both Hebrew and English and are characterized by an atmosphere of inclusiveness, with members of both sexes and all age groups actively participating. Such a large congregation calls for great leadership, and Temple Israel rises to the challenge by employing multiple clergy members. The rabbis share responsibilities and also have one or two areas of focus within the community. There are both Friday night and Saturday morning shabbat services. The Friday night service draws the most people and is kid-friendly. Typically between 200-250 people attend the Friday night service. On Saturday mornings, there are usually two services (both led by rabbis): the service in the sanctuary occurs when a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is scheduled; a more adult-oriented service with an extended text study takes place in a smaller reading room. In addition, there is a weekday, lay-led minyan (a word used to refer to daily prayer services, it literally means a quorum of 10 Jews that is traditionally required for services). Temple Israel’s commitment to study is clear through its dynamic preschool, religious school, youth groups, and educational opportunities for adults. Temple Israel also uses “affinity groups” to help people connect with others that share their interests. For example, there is an initiative called the Riverway Project, that helps local young adults connect with one another and with Judaism; neighborhood groups for members in their 50s and 60s who gather every few weeks at one another’s homes; and a group of interfaith families who get together to study, discuss, and socialize. Moreover, Temple Israel has a very active social justice effort called Ohel Tzedek (tent of justice) that organizes around a variety of issues and campaigns.

Affiliation with Other Communities/Organizations

Adath Israel holds some classes in partnership with the Union of Reform Judaism. In addition, the community is involved in the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.

Date center founded:

1854