Temple Israel of Natick, a Conservative synagogue, was founded in 1944. Our present building was dedicated in 1960. Our Temple and its approximate 500 member families have been at the heart of the Metrowest Jewish community for over 50 years. Our mission is to embody the three traditional roles of a synagogue: to be a Beit Tefillah, a place of worship and celebration; a Beit Midrash, a house of study that encourages and supports life-long Jewish learning; and a Beit Knesset, a community center that fosters caring and a sense of belonging.
Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Temple Israel offers a variety of opportunities to enhance Jewish knowledge and observance. Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat and Saturday morning Shabbat services (with a full Torah reading) provide excellent opportunities to meet and interact with other congregants, both spiritually and socially. Family Services and Shabbat Dinners are specifically geared to the needs of families with young children. Our twice-daily minyanim ensure that individuals saying kaddish, or observing a yahrzeit, can be part of a supportive community of daveners.
On Shabbat mornings, our building bursts with activity. In addition to our Sanctuary service, we offer, Kehillat Noar for our older pre-Bar\Bat Mitzvah children, Shabbat Shalom Chaverim (a program of prayer, stories and games) for our first through third graders, Shabbat Shalom Yeladim, a similar program for our preschoolers, and babysitting for our youngest members. Shabbat Yachad, a prayer enrichment study group for adults, meets once a month on Shabbat morning. Our special needs Shabbat service meets on a monthly basis. Holiday celebrations are times of great joy for our entire congregation. From Hanukah parties and Purim masquerades to our standing-room only Family Services on Sukkot and Shavuot, Temple Israel members come together to celebrate the rhythm of the Jewish calendar.
Temple Israel provides everyone with opportunities for learning for our entire Temple Family, regardless of age or prior knowledge.
The Judy Gordon Nursery School offers flexible and full day programs for children ages two through five. Our integrated Judaic and secular curriculum is built on the best available knowledge of child growth and development, and provides a warm and supportive foundation in both Jewish and American cultural experiences.
Children from kindergarten through grade seven receive a strong Jewish education and identity at the Ida And Charles Gilvarg Religious School. The staff is known for their creative and warm teaching styles. The school is currently the only one in the MetroWest area to provide a resource specialist for students with learning disabilities and unique learning styles.
The Temple Israel Hebrew High School enables students to continue their Jewish education past their Bar/Bat Mitzvah years. The High School offers an elective program for teens, and an annual trip.
Our award winning Adult Education Program embrace a wide range of Jewish subjects, presented by a diverse group of outstanding scholars and educators. Our members can improve their Hebrew reading skills, engage in Jewish text study, or learn new ritual skills such as Torah reading. Adult Education also sponsors the Benson Rowe Scholar-in-Residence programs as well as other scholar and cultural events.
Temple Israel members care about and for each other, in times of celebration and in times of challenge. Congregants often work together to prepare a celebratory meal for a holiday or simcha, including baby namings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and weddings. . Through our Mitzvah and Caring Committees, we are able to offer each other everything from shiva meals to transportation to synagogue, or a doctor's appointment. The Temple enables its members to shape their community and to deepen and express their commitment to Jewish education and values, in a creative, friendly environment.
Our impactful social action program, "Make Tzedek Happen," provides the congregation and the community at large the opportunity to engage in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world through deeds of righteousness and loving kindness).
Activities and programs at Temple Israel offer something for everyone! Sisterhood and Men's Club enrich, support and educate our community, while our very energetic USY (United Synagogue Youth) program offers 3rd - 12th graders a variety of social, cultural, religious and educational events. The Israel Action Committee presents extensive programming in its advocacy for the state of Israel, and was instrumental in the development of the MetroWest Israel Action Committee.
We welcome you to share a Shabbat, a holiday or a Jewish learning or social experience with our congregation. If you would like information about any of our programs or would like to attend one, please contact the Temple Israel office by either calling (508) 650-3521 or emailing office@tiofnatick.org. We look forward to getting to know you.
