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Membership

Importance of Temple Affiliation

As a practical matter, a supportive membership is the only means by which Temple Israel can hope to keep its doors open, offering comfort and community in times of need and in times of joy.

We hope you'll decide to be part of our vibrant Jewish Community. We want to share your simchas (joys) and be there when you need companionship. Within our community, you will find people with varied interests and skills with whom you will share common beliefs and develop meaningful friendships. We want to maintain and transmit to the next generation the Jewish values and traditions with which you were raised. 

Traditions - Old and New

We're building new traditions on the shoulders of our long-standing ones. Experience them with us!

Finding the right shul is like finding long lost family. You may never have known that they existed, but from the first moment you meet them, you know one another. We hope that you will instantly feel your extended family grow as you become part of the Temple Israel community. We are proud to offer programs for all ages-from babies to members who have been with us for decades. What makes us most proud is the sense of mutual support and rootedness that our synagogue provides. We hope you make our shul your family’s second home.

Temple Israel warmly welcomes interfaith families, individuals of all abilities, backgrounds and sexual orientations.

Whether you were born Jewish, have chosen Judaism, or are part of a Jewish couple or a Jewish family, interfaith couples and families are an integral part of our congregation, reflecting the diversity of an ever-widening variety of people committed to or interested in Jewish life.

 

Welcoming Clergy

Rabbi Fineberg, originally from Skokie, IL,  received rabbinic ordination and an MA in Midrash at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2019 where he received the Hackenburg Prize in Midrash and the Wolfson Award for outstanding scholarship and service. 

He graduated cum laude from Brandeis University with a BA in International and Global Studies. Rabbi Fineberg grew up deeply involved in Conservative Judaism, helping his parents start a synagogue, participating in USY and Nativ, and spending 18 consecutive summers at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin as both camper and staff member. 

He completed his chaplaincy at the Exodus Transitional Community, providing societal reintegration support to formerly incarcerated individuals. Rabbi Fineberg has served as the President of the JTS Rabbinical Student Body and the Gabbai for the JTS Synagogue, as the Slifka Rabbinic Fellow at the Hillel at Binghamton University, and the interim Rabbi at Temple Israel of South Merrick.  He is proud to have co-founded and coordinated “The Wandering Minyan,” a spirited Shabbat service and potluck for unaffiliated Jewish millennials in New York City that regularly attracted 60-70 individuals. He is currently studying to become a Mesader Gittin, trained to scribe and execute Jewish divorces. He was part of the inaugural cohort of the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Created Equal Educators Fellowship, exploring issues of Gender, Power, and Ethical Leadership.

In his spare time, Rabbi Fineberg enjoys cooking, podcasts, running, and learning to play guitar. He and his wife Heather welcomed their first child in October and are excited to find the community where he’ll take his first steps.

Membership has its privileges

The benefits of membership are almost too many to list. However, the biggest benefit is community.

But why join Temple Israel? For starters...

  • A warm, friendly, traditional egalitarian conservative congregation;
  • High Holy Day tickets included in membership;
  • Prayer services ranging from traditional Shabbat services to Mishpacha Minyan (song-filled, community-led) or Bim Bam Shabbat (family-focused, clergy-led) services on Friday night and Tot Shabbat, Junior Congregation, meditation/drum circle Shabbat and Shabbat Outdoors on Saturdays;
  • Daily Minyan, the only twice-daily egalitarian minyan between Newton and Providence;
  • A vibrant Religious School
  • Social Action Opportunities for all Ages
  • Hessed (Caring Community)
  • Life-cycle events such as baby naming, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, and funeral services;
  • Discounts on facility rentals;

And more!

Join Us!

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about membership or to request additional information, please contact Executive Director Karen Nahary by email or at 781-784-3986 ext. 102.

You may also download and email her a membership form when you are ready to join us.

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784