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History of Temple Israel, West Palm Beach, Florida
Temple Israel came into existence in 1923, when six Jewish families in West Palm Beach decided to create a synagogue which would inspire and perpetuate the ideals of progressive Judaism.

Charles and Emma B. Franke donated a lot on Broward Avenue as a building site, and organizers met on October 27, 1923 to draw up preliminary plans. The first officers elected included Max Sirkin, President; Julius Lax, Vice President; Harry Halpern, Secretary; Harry Sirkin, Sr., Treasurer; and Joseph Mendel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. A committee was appointed to raise funds, a mortgage was obtained, and Temple Beth Israel (as it was then known) was officially dedicated in 1924 by its lay leadership. During the first year, a Sisterhood was organized with the goal of conducting fundraising events and providing social functions for the small community of Jewish families then living in West Palm Beach.

The congregation quickly grew to 45 families, but the collapse of the Florida land boom and the devastating hurricane of 1928 meant that mortgage payments could not be met. President Cy Argintar asked Mrs. Nathan B. Spingold for help in raising the necessary funds, which she did almost single-handedly. Five years later, when, an additional structure was added to the rear of the Temple at 2014 Broward Avenue for use as a Religious School and Recreation Hall, it was named Schwartzberg Hall in memory of her parents.

After being led briefly by two part-time rabbis, Dr. Carl N. Herman became Temple Israel’s first fulltime rabbi in 1930. He remained its spiritual leader for the next 17 years. Rabbi Herman fostered a warm communal spirit and instilled a love of, and commitment to Reform Judaism that remain hallmarks of our congregation.

Temple Israel’s first Confirmation ceremony was held on Shavuot in 1931 with a class of four confirmands. Religious school and Hebrew instruction were organized, and the community took on a new look as the country entered World War II. Many members of the congregation - or their sons - went off to serve in the Armed Forces while the Temple welcomed other Jewish soldiers assigned to the Army Hospital at the Breakers Hotel or to Morrison Field (now the site of the WPB airport). Sisterhood women knitted socks, rolled bandages, planned socials for the service personnel and invited them to dinner on Shabbat and the Holidays. Because of Temple Israel, every Jewish solider stationed in the area found a home away from home.

In 1948, Rabbi Richard E. Singer became the temple’s new spiritual leader. The West Palm Jewish community was experiencing tremendous postwar growth. With increasing temple membership, the Broward Avenue facility quickly became inadequate for meeting the needs of the community. Most pressing was the lack of classroom space. To address this challenge, Temple President Norman Mirsky organized a Building Fund Campaign. An initial Gifts Dinner was held at the Whitehall Hotel (now the Henry Flagler Museum) and 24 leaders of the Jewish community pledged over $50,000 towards the building of a new larger facility. Congregants and the community raised additional funds for a grand total of more than $100,000. The ground breaking at our current location on Flagler Drive took place in August 1950.

A booming economy brought an influx of new sun seekers as permanent residents of the community, and with plans for a new modern facility, the congregational membership expanded even more. Monthly child-friendly Family Shabbat services were introduced; a Couples “Supper Club” was formed adding to the warm Temple family spirit; and the congregation took the bold step of adopting a “Fair Share” dues plan designed to infuse the day to day financial realities of running the congregation with the Jewish value of giving according to one’s ability. Our new sanctuary was officially dedicated at Shabbat services on Friday February 20, 1953 with Rabbi Singer on the pulpit. After his departure, Rabbi Irving B. Cohen became Temple Israel’s spiritual leader in 1955.

To keep step with a growing congregation, the expansion of Temple Israel continued, adding new office space, a rabbi’s study, a music room, youth lounge, and much needed classrooms. Additional property to the west of the Temple was bought to provide needed parking space. Early in the 1970’s, our Social Hall was given a “face lift” to address the effects of 20 years of frenetic activity. The refurbished space again became a center for community and congregational events, including a new adult education program developed to meet the needs of a growing adult community.

Recognizing the importance of preserving our religious heritage by educating and involving our youth, the congregation hired an assistant rabbi to work primarily in the area of youth activities and education. Rabbi Sheldon Harr joined the Temple Israel family in 1972 and under his programming and guidance, the number of children enrolled in our religious school reached an all-time high of approximately 300 students. The 50th Anniversary year of 1973 was highlighted with the burning of the mortgage. A long range planning committee was formed, and one of the first problems it addressed was the lack of sufficient seating for the High Holy Days as well as for special events. As short-term relief, “dual shift” High Holy Day services were introduced, and it was decided to increase the seating in our sanctuary by adding a balcony, which was completed in 1975. Unprecedented growth in the Jewish community and the temple brought with it some growing pains. Rabbi Harr departed to establish his own congregation near Ft. Lauderdale, and was replaced by Rabbi Joel Levine. Then, in 1980, after 28 years of dedicated service, Senior Rabbi Irving B. Cohen retired, and the congregation voted him Rabbi Emeritus. Shortly afterwards, Rabbi Levine departed to start his own congregation. A lengthy search for a new Rabbi brought applicants from all over the country. In 1982 Rabbi Howard Shapiro became the new spiritual leader of Temple Israel. He also brought with him a strong commitment to social action, Jewish education, tradition and innovation.

Temple Israel also expanded its professional staff. Dr. Warren Canfield assumed the position of organist and music director, leading the professional-only High Holy Day Choir, as well as a children’s chorus; Susan Weiss was hired as a cantorial soloist, and Cissie Tishman, who had been elected as our congregation’s first female president in 1977, stepped up to the plate a second time by becoming our Religious School Director. Cantors Stuart Pittle and Peter Taormina each served the temple briefly, until cantorial soloist Karen Blum was hired in 1987. She initiated a Jewish concert series, assisted students with their Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies, and started a volunteer congregational choir.

In 1991, Rabbi Shapiro and an active building committee led by Ron Pertnoy literally turned the Temple around and the new sanctuary was dedicated on August 25, 1991. The entire facility was renovated with special attention paid to the sanctuary where the Ark and bimah were now finally on the eastern wall so that worshippers could face towards Jerusalem. The balcony was removed and the ceiling constructed to resemble the biblical tents of our ancestors (“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel”). Other beautiful works of Judaica were also added over time: the stained glass windows; the words of theSh’ma carved in Jerusalem stone as an arch framing the Ark, and a chuppah designed and executed in needlepoint by Temple Israel volunteers to name just a few. In gratitude for his vibrant leadership, Rabbi Shapiro was awarded a lifetime contract by the congregation in 1992. Also in 1992, Linda Zwickel Solomon joined Temple Israel as our Executive Director. Linda came to us from the Jewish Arts Foundation and the Regional Arts Foundation. Her organizational skills, attention to detail, knowledge of the Jewish community and commitment to our congregation proved to be tremendously valuable assets.

Peter Eckstein was hired as Temple Israel’s Educational Director in 1999 (having since 1993 been employed as Director of the Hillel Religious School - a joint-venture between Temple Israel and Temple Beth El). Peter’s involvement in, and passion about all aspects of education – from preschool “Tot Shabbat” to our vibrant Continuing Education program has helped to create a congregation of learners at all stages of life. The more formal “classroom” educational experience was also broadened as Judy Preefer took the helm of Temple Israel’s Youth Group, and Lori Ackerman, initially through a grant from the Jewish Federation, became coordinator of our Family Life Education program.

In 1997, Cantor Paul Offenkrantz became Temple Israel’s first full-time invested cantor. His voice, musical ability, enthusiasm, and vast knowledge quickly made their mark on many areas of temple life, from worship services and pastoral care, to adult education courses, bar/bat mitzvah preparation, the expansion & revitalization of our temple choir, and memorable theatrical and musical programs.

In 2001, congregant Elsie Leviton was honored for her forty years of devoted service to Temple Israel’s library. Assisted by congregant Adele Sayles, Elsie had almost single-handedly built our library into one of the premiere private Judaica collections in Florida, with holdings of over 7,000 volumes and periodicals. Alice Warren was hired that year as our congregation’s first professional librarian and media specialist. Julie Marsh also joined us as our Youth Group Director in 2002 and transitioned to the added role of administrative assistant for our clergy.

In 2008, after a distinguished tenure of 27-years, Rabbi Howard Shapiro stepped down as the spiritual leader of Temple Israel and took on his new role as Rabbi Emeritus. Following a comprehensive search, Rabbi Richard Chapin was invited to become our new rabbi. Rabbi Chapin brought a warm personal touch, a passion for study, and many years of rabbinic experience to our congregation. Two thousand and ten brought a return to a beautifully renovated sanctuary after two years of conducting worship services at the JCC of West Palm Beach. In 2011 Religious School & Family Life Educatior Lisa Tenenbaum said goodbye and we welcomed Stefanie Raifman into that position. Rabbi Chapin also departed in 2011 for other opportunities and a search began for a new spiritual leader. Significant staff changes continued in 2012 with the departure of Cantor Paul Offenkrantz to Am Shalom in Glencoe, Illinois. We also said goodbye to Julie Marsh and greeted the return of Barbara Weiss.

Our search for a new Rabbi brought us Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein in 2012. Rabbi Olshein came to us from Congregation Beth Israel,  Austin, Texas, where she was their associate rabbi. Standing on the bimah with her is our Cantorial Soloist, Michelle Auslander Cohen. This dynamic duo heralded yet another new epoch in our vibrant history.

Our renovated facility boasts many meaningful improvements including: a handicap-accessible “lower bimah,” improved lighting and air-conditioning; new flexible and comfortable seating; state-of-the-art video and audio technology including video screens and closed-circuit cameras to enhance our worship. We also installed a beautiful new Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) as well as an airy new ceiling which allows colored lighting to gently filter through. Our Administrative Offices and classrooms, as well as a second-floor media center/library and cyber-café with a stunning view of the Intracoastal Waterway add space for learning and expanding our programs. The remodeling of our courtyard with new landscaping, lighting, seating and art, the creation of a waterfront meditation garden, perfect for intimate services, small weddings and cocktail receptions, and the completion of a kitchen equipped for large gatherings have completed the renovations up to this point, bringing Temple Israel into the new century in a most elegant yet highly functional manner. The final phase of our reconstruction, currently underway, will be a completely remodeled social hall.

At Temple Israel, ancient traditions are imbued with fresh meaning and new traditions are constantly evolving. Being “wrapped” in the holiness of the entire Torah scroll on Simchat Torah….Seeing the flickering glow of hundreds of candles during our Hanukkah celebration….Hearing the stirring blasts of an entire orchestra of young shofar “blowers” at the conclusion of Yom Kippur services….Expanding the horizons of Jewish knowledge and values with educational programs that go beyond the confines of the classroom….Sharing personal joys and sorrows with a community of friends when we observe Simcha Blessings or stand under our Sukkah of Healing….Finding friendship and fellowship in our vibrant Sisterhood and Brotherhood organizations….Helping our community by joining our hands together in programs that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the aged and infirmed, and improve the environment…. Hearing acclaimed scholars, authors and artists, brought to us by the Kraft Cultural Endowment…..Being spiritually inspired by the words of the Rabbi and the music of the Cantor….There have been countless special moments that we have shared.

The first 90 years of Temple Israel are a living history of its membership…from the original six pioneering families to the present hundreds. It is also a history of devotion and dedication to the ideals of Reform Judaism, to the spirit of tikkun olam (“repairing the world”), and to an ancient longing for Jewish continuity and survival, both on a personal and a communal level. It is a 90-year history of achievement and vision.

We look back with a sense of gratitude to the countless lay-leaders, volunteers, and professionals whose wisdom and dedication have made our congregation so strong, vibrant and vital. We look forward to the future with anticipation - confident in the knowledge that Temple Israel will continue to fulfill its sacred mission as a Beit T’filah (House of Prayer), a Beit Hamidrash (House of Study) and a Beit K’nesset (House of Gathering) with doors open wide to all those who seek a stronger connection with their faith, tradition, and community.

May Temple Israel continue to go from strength to strength. ===

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