Temple Israel, founded in 1920, is a Reform
congregation, affiliated with the Union for Reformed Judaism
(URJ, formerly the Union of American hebrew Congregations UAHC) since 1985. For 80 years, Temple Israel has provided a Jewish
religious cultural, social, and education presence on the island of
Alameda.
To enhance the meaning of our lives as Jews, we strive to
foster the reciprocal connections between the Temple and its
congregants. Children and adults, individuals and families create a
multigenerational community participating in traditional religious and
social activities, lifelong Jewish learning, and the larger Jewish
community.
To learn more about Reform Judaism and the URJ (formerly UAHC), please
click
here.
back to top
Since
1920, Temple Israel has represented the Jewish presence of Alameda
and served the local community. We strive to meet the
spiritual, intellectual, and cultural needs of each member of our
Temple family by our practice of the Jewish traditions of prayer,
study, community, and tikkun
olam (social
action to heal the world).
back to top
1.
Temple Israel offers a Jewish foundation and “home” for
individuals and families within Alameda and neighboring communities.
We are fully committed to a policy of welcoming anyone into
synagogue life and our community regardless of gender, marital
status, race, age, sexual orientation, or economic circumstances.
We are committed to foster an environment that is caring,
multi-generational, and inclusive.
2.
Our Temple and its programs blend secular and spiritual content.
We believe both are vital to the survival of the Jewish community
and our personal enrichment.
3.
We encourage social responsibility. The performance of mitzvot
is an integral part of our Jewish lives and spiritual fulfillment --
within our community and by outreach to others.
4.
We are affiliated with the Reform Movement of Judaism (and with the
Union for Reform Judaism). Our practices reflect the
eclectic traditions and beliefs of the local Jewish community. This
enriches both our Jewish experience and our spiritual growth.
5.
We are a cooperative organization. We recognize that to
achieve our Mission and Objectives, our Temple must be participatory
and democratic -- in congregational governance, in ritual, in
programs and activities. Membership implies involvement and
support to sustain the Temple and the wellbeing of our community.
back to top
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ALAMEDA IN RETROSPECT 1880-1980
For the dedication of the new building on Harbor Bay Isle
-by Robert Garfinkle
During the first 75 years of the settlement of Alameda, the pioneer
Jewish community of our city encountered numerous hurdles in its
efforts to organize a permanent congregation and to build a
synagogue. During the 1880's, several Jewish families moved to
Alameda. Since there was no synagogue here to attend, they went to
Oakland for services. In 1896, these people helped organize the
first Jewish congregation in Alameda. This Reform "First Hebrew
Congregation of Alameda" held its Friday evening services, High
Holy Day services, and religious school in Encinal Hall,
corner of Bay and Lincoln streets. This congregation planned to
construct a synagogue, but failed to raise the necessary funds. They
disbanded sometime around the turn of the century.
In 1903, a second Reform congregation was organized. This group also
called themselves "First Hebrew Congregation of Alameda."
They hoped to raise $10,000 with which they planned to build a
synagogue near Grand or Chestnut. They also failed to raise the
money needed for the project. They
disbanded sometime in 1906 or 1907.
"Congregation E. Emanuel" was established in 1908. This
Orthodox congregation held its services in Linderman Hall (across
from the old Post Office on Central), for several years and then for
a time they rented space in the Masonic Hall. Like their
predecessors here, they hired rabbis to
perform the High Holy Day services. David Kouff was an active member
of this group until it disbanded in 1915.
From 1915 to early 1918, there was no organized Jewish
congregation in Alameda. In 1918, a group of approximately 14
families got together in a room above Miller's Drug Store and formed
our present congregation. In November 1920, the "First Hebrew
Congregation of Alameda" filed its
Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. On this
document, Frank Jacobs signed as President and Gustave Kapler signed
as Vice-President. The other men listed on the Articles as directors
of the congregation are: Sam Applebaum, Benjamin Borsuk, Adolf
Feldhammer, Daniel Fisher, David Garfinkle, Louis Glaiberman, Abe
Hellman, and Max Sheramsky.
Abraham Auslin acted as the spiritual leader for the congregation
while they held services in either the Native Sons Hall or the
Masonic Hall. In 1920, a lot and small house on the corner of
Alameda and Oak streets were purchased, and plans drawn up for a
synagogue. Difficulties in raising the necessary capital slowed the
project until on July 15, 1924, when ground was broken for the first
synagogue in Alameda. The members of the congregation built most of
the synagogue with their own hands. Adolf Feldhammer and his
contractor friend Conrad Roth led the work crews. The
children helped in any way that they could and the women prepared
meals for all of the workers.
The partially completed Temple Israel was dedicated on September 21,
1924, at a ceremony attended by many civic and religious leaders.
Cantor J. L. Abramowitz served as the first spiritual leader in the
new building.
Some of the other families that were members of Temple Israel in
those early years were: Alexanders, Bahrs, Bardoffs, Bermans, Cohens,
Craners, Dorfmans, Ferros,
Frankels, Freidmans, Gardners, Goldfarbs, Greenbergs, Greenwalds,
Jacobys, Kouff, Morris, Wolfs, Zimmermans, and Mildred Strauss.
In 1925, Joseph Davidson was hired to serve as cantor and to teach
religious school. Many volunteers during the years also taught
religious lessons.
During the 1930's, the temple suffered through the Depression along
with the rest of America. For long periods the synagogue was closed
due to a lack of funds to pay for its operation. The membership
dwindled to a handful, but they tried each year to open the doors
for High Holy Day services.
World War II brought a rapid influx of people to Alameda. Many new
Jewish families joined the congregation. We were able to
reopen the synagogue and by 1944, enough money was raised to pay off
the original mortgage. Abe
Kofman spearheaded this fund--raising drive. He was also
instrumental in obtaining our two full-time rabbis. Cantor Samuel
Cohen led the last High Holy Day services to be conducted by a
part-time leader, for in February 1946, Rabbi John Zuker was hired
as our first full-time spiritual leader. He left in 1947 for the
pulpit in San Leandro from which he recently retired.
In July 1947, we hired Rabbi Gunther G. Gates, an escapee from
Hitler's Germany. Rabbi Gates was then a fresh arrival from Shanghai
where he had spent most of the war years studying and teaching
Judaism. He divided his time between serving as our rabbi, teaching
at Alameda High School, building relationships with other Alameda
religious and civic groups, and raising his family.
In the early 1950's, it was decided that we were ready to expand our
facilities. All religious and social functions were being held in
the sanctuary and it was becoming a problem to conduct religious
school in it. The kitchen was small and inadequate. In February
1955, ground was broken for the social hall. Wilfred Garfinkle was
building chairman. In the
following year the sanctuary was remodeled by replacing the old
benches and building a new wooden Ark.
In 1963, the addition of the upstairs classrooms was completed under
the direction of Wilfred Garfinkle and the generous donations of the
Kapler, Kapchan, Kofman, and Schwartz families, and Irving
Silberberg. During the early 1970's the classrooms were empty due to
the lack of young children in the congregation, but with the
increase in the number of third and fourth generation members and
many new members, we were once again able to conduct Sunday School
lessons.
Things were looking bright for Temple Israel until 1977, when we
were forced to sell our beloved synagogue to the Alameda Unified
School District and to locate a new site for ourselves. A location
was secured at Harbor Bay Isle and today we open a new chapter in
our history with the dedication of our new synagogue
OFFICE
HOURS
Rabbi
Allen B. Bennett is
generally in the office:
10:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays,
9:00 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. on Thursdays,
9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. on Fridays,
and Sundays
during Hebrew and Religious School hours.
Cantor
Pamela Sawyer is
usually available:
Wednesdays 1 PM-6 PM and
Sundays 8:30 AM -
1:00 PM when school is in session,
and by appointment on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
The
office
is open from 9:00 AM—2:00 PM on
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Because
both the Rabbi and the Cantor may be involved in meetings, other
appointments, tutoring students, etc., during the times they are in
the building, it
is best to make an appointment before
coming in.
back to top
