Welcome:
Temple Emanu-El, on the North Shore of Massachusetts, is a caring, inclusive Reform Congregation that offers progressive ways to explore a wide variety of Jewish traditions. Our Temple emphasizes a strong Jewish identity, reinforcing a life-long learning, Jewish ethics, a shared commitment to the Jewish community, and social responsibility. Regardless of the face of your family structure and religious background, everyone is welcome to come pray, learn, find community, and promote social justice. We strive to meet the diverse needs of our Congregation, recognizing that all our members are important and valued. Our goal is that Temple Emanu-El enriches the lives of all its members, the community at large, and Jews around the world. We hope to be “the heart of your Jewish community.”
Our Mission Statement:
Welcome into our community all who seek a Jewish religious connection and who choose to embrace and participate in Jewish culture;
Empower members of all ages to fashion meaningful lives through study and education in traditional Jewish subjects and progressive Jewish thought;
Worship together and celebrate the joy of Shabbat, Jewish festivals, and personal and family life-cycle events, and to support and comfort our members in times of need;
Affirm our bond with Jews around the world and especially with our historic homeland, the State of Israel;
Inspire our members and the larger community toward social justice and holiness.
History:
Our history begins with a small group of families in 1954, who came together with a shared vision to establish a Reform Congregation on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The cornerstone of our Temple building in Marblehead was laid in 1959. From the original fourteen families, our Congregation has grown steadily and is now the spiritual home to well over 500 families.
Our first spiritual leader, Rabbi Martin Katzenstein (z”l) served the Congregation for 5 years, until 1961. Rabbi Israel Harburg (z”l) came to the pulpit as interim rabbi until Rabbi Rabbi W. Shapiro (z”l) joined the Temple in 1962 and served his rabbinate for 30 years. In the summer of 1992, Rabbi David J. Meyer was called to the pulpit as the new Rabbi and continues his inspired spiritual leadership today as our Senior Rabbi. Our Assistant Rabbi, Debra Kassoff, completes the current Rabbinic leadership.
Temple Emanu-El provides a sacred home of Jewish worship. learning, community and social justice. We are an inclusive, welcoming synagogue, dedicated to serving the needs of our members and the larger Jewish community. Thousands of children have been named, consecrated, educated, become Bar and Bat Mitzvah, and Confirmed at the Temple. Over the years, we’ve celebrated our joyous occasions together as well as marked the times of sadness.
At our core, we are committed to following the principles of Reform Judaism as we continue to evolve and change in response to the world around us. We look forward to all that the future holds for us, individually and collectively, as a Temple family.
